Hoverspeed Pilots.

[Shlong]

Any ex-hoverspeed pilots now flying aeroplanes?

[M.Mouse]

A little difficult as they did not have pilot licences!

I asked what qualifications they held when visiting the bridge/flightdeck during a channel crossing. The crew told me they held seafarers licences.

[VFE]

I heard some Captains held ATPLs along with their Master Mariners licence.

[M.Mouse]

That is of course possible but I understood that it was not a requirement to hold an ATPL or similar in order to command/fly/sail a hovercraft.

[ORAC]

So what about the ekranoplane and/or derivitives now being built down south? Seafarer or pilot licence or both?

[springbok449]

Having met an ex. Hoverspeed pilot, I was under the impression that one of the requirements for the job was to have a CPL or an ATPL.

[Anti Skid On]

I agree with the above, especially on the tech aspect - used RR turbines, propellors, etc. Handling involved similar control inputs, etc.