SIA CARGO B747-400 Conversion course

[LOK]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some information regarding the B747-400 type conversion course with SIA CARGO,for direct entry FO without the type rating(duration of course,what does it consist,etc).

Thank you

[BlueEagle]

Take this as a rough guide only as I did the DEC course many, many moons ago!;)

About two days of Admin, getting IDs, signing bonds etc. etc.
Commence ground school, CBT, three to four weeks including the final exam.
A week or so of Safety & Survival (including a swim in the pool!), performance, fuel planning, flight planning and air law.
During the above you will be expected, with your partner, (they pair you up, don't bother to ask!), to have familiarised yourself with the check-lists using the 'Cardboard Bomber'.
About eight sessions over about two weeks, (subject availability), of fixed base trainer. It used to be done in the SIM and some instructors would switch the motion on after about the first two sessions, which is a bonus.
About eight to ten sessions of full SIM including base check, IR, CatII/III.
I was lucky and did seven circuits in the actual aircraft, nothing like flying an empty 744 round the circuit!!! Not sure if this still happens or if you go from Full Flight Sim sessions to line training.
Expect to do a Europe, USA, Australian and a couple of local trips, probably adding up to a dozen or so sectors flown as PF/US, could be more, before a final line check.

From day one to 'released to the line', not less than about four months, it all depends on the availability of SIM, aircraft, instructors etc. etc.
Training was very positive, they want you to pass, don't bother telling them how you did it in your last airline!!!
;)
Just a rough guide only as I'm a bit out of date now.
Best of luck.

[speedtwoten]

Hi Blue

Your info are great, I'm going for interview and sim check tomorow, do they tell you right away if you fail?? so you don't have to go for medical check, and if you pass everything incld. medical how long do you have to wait until they call you up?? as I'm reated are the course be as initial conversion??:ok: thank's Blue.

From my somewhat out-of-date experience!!! If you don't get asked to go for the medical I don't think you have passed, possibly they will tell you then or shortly after by letter. If you go for the medical they then apply for your work permit, minimum a month, also awaiting confirmation of a passed medical from the 'board'. The wait will depend on when they have courses running and how many are in front of you, could be three to six months. Best I can do. Cheers, BE

[Pin Head]

Blue Eagle,

What was your experience when you got in?

I went for DEC on the B744. 14,000TT, 2000 wide-body command, 4000 Boeing glass, all command. Over 10,000 on jets.

[LOK]

BlueEagle,

Thank you for your reply.Very helpful information.

LOK

[atuk]

BlueEagle,
Do you think they accept 8000tt with 3000++ command
on 734 for their DEC..tks

[BlueEagle]

All I can suggest is that you submit a totally truthful application and see what they make of it. What they accepted a few years ago and what they will accept now could be totally different.

You sound as though they could well look at you for the B777 if you have substantial command time, you look as though you do.

Best of luck.

[skycap]

BlueEagle

You must have been hopeless to have to do 7 landings on your base flying:*

[millerscourt]

Skycap

That is what I was thinking too!! I did 4 approaches and one was a G/A That was all that was required unless of course you made a hash of things!!

[kk pilot]

I heard recently that a former Delta pilot (like myself) was interviewed for 747 DEC in late May, was hired, and has already completed his training. I interviewed in late Apr for 777 DEC and haven't heard a word other than my medical cleared and the employment pass clearance was being done (whatever that means...) Sounds to me if you want to get on with SIA quick and cargo is ok, the 747 DEC is by far the way to go. Another DAL pilot that I just talked to interviewed last OCT ('04) and still hasn't heard anthing.

kk :sad: :(

[BlueEagle]

Obviously neither of you has a clue what you are talking about.
DEC onto the B744 without previous 744 experience required six circuits and one GA, the minimum accepted by the CAAS for licence issue, in those days. Ex SAA and QF 743 captains also did seven circuits because the aircraft and the time was available and no one in their right mind turns down such an opportunity.

Before leaping in with stupid and sarcastic comments it might help if you took the time and effort to establish a few facts.

Millerscourt, possibly the A340 only required four.

[millerscourt]

Blue Eagle Calm down. Only poking fun at you not questioning your virility mate.

PS Ex SAA and QF DEC on B744's? That was years ago.No DEC's on B744 after '97 and until recently with SQ Cargo.

[CDRW]

Millers and Sky cap - you sure asked for it - and you got it.

[tkoose]

dear blue eagle,

i wonder if you'd elaborate a little on why you mentioned that you thought sq might look at atuk for the 777,......
am in a similiar situation and am really keen on the cargo 744 ad...
appreciate your thoughts.

[BlueEagle]

For a DEC onto the B747 it was a requirement that you had to have at least 2000 hrs wide-body command in your log book out of a total of about 3000 hours command and 5000 TT.

I'm not up to date on SIA current policy so the best way for you to find out is to apply for B747 and see what they offer you, you may get B777. In your shoes I think I would invest in a telephone call and ask them outright what they would consider you for. Best of luck.

[B744F]

Tkoose,

I believe Blue Eagle is correct here. Although it doesn't state in the adverts that wide body command experience is required for the 744 I don't believe anyone has yet joined SIA Cargo without any. Conversely there are several who have joined the 777 fleet with 737 time or similar. If you have relevant experience Cargo would pay more than 777 but the choice is yours.

[tkoose]

millerscourt & blueagle

thanks for info. yes, it wasn't mentioned in the ad. i should hope that it's now changed and that they will consider someone without heavy cmd time. i have however recently sent an application , and hope to hear more from them.

i would however be just as happy with a 777 chance.
thanks for help again.

[tkoose]

blue eagle& millerscourt

yep, just got a reply......no joy...well.....try again i suppose????

[Gypsy]

tkoose - sorry to hear of your negative reply but please could you tell me how long it was from submitting your application to receiving that response. Thanks

[tkoose]

gypsy,

yeah, pretty disappointed, but well, two weeks.

[sgt_pepper]

Hi B744F check your PM please.

[Airmike767]

Does anyone know the max hiring range at SIA?
I'm 57 with lots of Command time in B727/B737/B757 and B767.
Thanks,
Fred

[BlueEagle]

Suggest you 'phone them Airmike767 , 55 used to be the upper age limit for non-type rated and 57 for type rated. Singapore is GMT +8 hours, if you do decide to 'phone. Best of luck.

[Hachiouji-shi]

Can someone please tell me what does SIA cargo fly to? Thanks.
how many destinations?

[serangga]

SQ Cargo Destinations,

CMB, DEL, BOM, MAA, BLR, DXB, SHJ, KWI, AMS, FRA, CDG, BRU, LHR, CPH, DUB, JFK, ORD, DFW, SFO, LAX, ANC, ICN, NRT, TPE, HKG, PVG, NKG, PER, SYD, MEL, AKL and the occasional charter to some odd destination.

Crew Operating Patterns generally tend to be about 8 days average with quite a few of them going around the world on the longer ones. These round the world patterns tend to have you staying a few days in BRU.

Aircraft are heavily utilised (like most freight carriers) and some of the MEL items can be on the books for some weeks but generally they are well maintained.

Grub on the airplane is also to the same standard as the passenger airplanes but the instant coffee catered on board sucks! I bring my own stuff (coffee that is). If you are not too interested in the politics of the land, then it is a good place to be. But then again, that is my own opinion.

[Hachiouji-shi]

seranngga,

thank you. out of those nice places mentioned, how many of them are nightstops?

[Phil Squares]

Virtually all are night stops. AMS, BRU tend to be 2 days or longer. DUB/LHR are 3 IIRC. LAX, DFW and ORD tend to be more than one night.

MFM is the only non-night stop station.

[Left Coaster]

Hey, while you're on the subject of food...is it "crew food" i.e. the standard catering for the front end? Can a guy bring his own? How about "Oven Training"? :( How often would the standby crew (downroute) get a call out? Last question, (really) the family was asking, does SQ Cargo ever let (tickets in hand of course) anyone ride along in the seats upstairs?
Thanks, the info is a great help.
LC

[Phil Squares]

1) I wouldn't hold my breath for SQ to ever let anyone use the upper deck!

2) Standard "crew meals". There is no prohibition on taking anything you want, although it would be a little tough for a 15 day trip!

3) Standby down line? It's realy hit or miss. Some people lead charmed lives and never get called and then again, others aren't too lucky. It really depends. It's really only used if someone goes sick or there is a massive reschedule.

4) Oven training? Most of the F/Os will take care of the cooking. But if you can open a door, turn a timer, you're qualified!

[Left Coaster]

Okay then...Many thanks for the answers! Look forward to it all.
LC