Will being bilingual help at all?

[scenicflyer]

Hey guys, got a question to which I couldn't find any answers on the good old Google.

I'm almost finished with my training and my mind is inevitably drifting towards the job hunt. I speak fluent English and German (might need a couple weeks to shake the rust off). Will this boost my chances in an interview or is it not really seen as being of any importance these days? Is German an 'important language' in aviation?

I've never heard anyone talk about it, so I'm genuinely unsure.

Appreciate any replies, thanks.

:)

[PropDude]

I think it is and it might help you . For example you can apply to the following jobs :

https://www.career.aero/site/de/job/list/category/10-first-officer

Almost all of them require German language.

Good luck:ok:

[lansen]

If you speak German, I can highly recommend you to get a Goethe certificate to prove it. Most german airlines, if you haven't completed your secondary education in a german speaking country, will require a B2 certificate and some (in particular the Swiss) will even require C1.

You will find all the necessary information regarding these certificates on www.goethe.de.

Good luck!

[flyboy1818]

German is an important language in Aviation if you hold an EU passport! It opens up Switzerland, Germany and Austria to you!

Most employers in these countries want to see at least a B2 certificate in German. Being fluent will allow you to apply for a lot of jobs that others cannot apply for due to this language requirement. In my opinion you've just more than doubled your chances of finding a job!! :D

[dirk85]

Yep, if working in Austria or Germany, where pilots get paid less than the guy refueling your plane is your dream, go ahead.

[PropDude]

why there must be always someone with negative attitude?
Condor pilot jobs news for airline pilots and aviation schools (http://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/jobs/Condor)

5000 for a start up salary is not good for you with 11 days off? :ugh:

[lansen]

Don't listen to an O'Leary slave :p

[dirk85]

Never flown FR in my life, neither as pax or pilot, but I will tell you a secret: same **** applies in GA, where Austrian and German companies pay for the same positions roughly half of what French, Swiss or Spanish companies offer.

Good way to start? Yes.
Career choice? No unless you end up in LH. Good luck with that.

[dirk85]

I can tell you that the vast majority of F/Os, and I am speaking of business aviation where I have spent so far all of my career, operating for Austrian or German AOCs are making FAR less money than the people refuelling their planes, and this is not an hyperbole, it is an actual fact. And I believe they do not have to pay the rating for the truck they drive, unlike pilots.

Look it up on PPJN or visit the GA forum if you do not believe me.

Many skippers are not much better off.

[EC DKN]

Of course will help you! Vueling for instance require Spanish Icao level 4! But one thing is bilingual (C2 level, icao level 6 is not bilingual) and another thing is having a good knowledge and level of some language!

I Can speak english for instance But I am not bilingual actually I am just ICAO level 4 so my level of english is really poor! Luckily I am just a PPL from now!

[beardedclam]

Dirk 85. Just to add to your comment, I fly in the UK and I am paid less than the guys putting JetA1 in the plane, the cabin manager, the senior ramp agents, the veteran loaders.......

[scenicflyer]

To be honest, I'd rather be the pilot even if I'm making less money.

Thanks for all of the useful replies. There are always people on here who will try to put a negative spin on things, but I've learnt to ignore them.

Anyway, the general vibe is positive! Hopefully it will pay off in the end.

Thanks!

[PropDude]

Aircraft pilots and engineers are UK's highest paid workers | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2854225/Aircraft-pilots-engineers-UK-s-highest-paid-workers-average-salaries-90-410-chief-executives-medical-practitioners.html)

I feel for you , my German and British friends... quit your companies and come to fly in the Balkans ! I make double than the dude that refuels my plane:E

Stay positive bro, sure the profession is not what is used to be but still you can have a good life in most airlines. I wish you good luck!!!! :ok:

[scenicflyer]

Thanks man :)

[beardedclam]

Sorry if thread slightly drifting.
Daily mail: Pinch......Salt
Starting wage at my company, 7/12s or around 55% of £41,000.
Negative people (like me?): I enjoy the good days, but nothing prepared me for the "cons." Just trying to give people starting the journey a realistic assessment.
Happy & Safe flying all.

[flyboy1818]

Wow...some really negative comments on here which are completely incorrect and untrue.

I'm guessing that the original poster is either of German ancestry or has spent some time living in a German speaking country as a child. If this is the case then moving to a German speaking country for you will come without any surprises.

I moved to a German speaking country for my first job and so far its been great. I certainly earn more than the guy pumping the fuel and I'm definitely not a loner!!

German is probably the best second language to have as an EU passport holder. Austria, Switzerland and Germany are all covered here. All three countries are strong and stable with lots of job opportunities at each level. Switzerland offers salaries higher than the UK, Germany around the same (when you adjust for the reduced cost of living) and Austria a bit lower (However its a cheap place to live).

I see that some posts on here have mentioned the low salaries on offer in corporate aviation. This is generally only true on the small business jets (citations etc), once you get onto something bigger you will earn good money. This won't take long, maybe a year or two tops. As I've mentioned above the cost of living in some of the German speaking countries (Germany and Austria) is lower than the UK and salaries reflect this, however you will still achieve the same general standard of living as your money will go further.

In conclusion, I believe that any second language is of benefit as long as you have the right to work in a country where that language is used. The issue we face as Brits is that everyone can speak our language and the whole of Europe can apply for our jobs!