Originally Posted by
Sick
It's not a bond. You pay £22,000 (unless you take a Portugal base). Payments can be spread over three years. I don't think it can be taken off your pre tax salary.
Sadly, easa came out with some ill thought out guidance which said a full type rating would typically be required after three years since last flight. So far as I'm aware, it was never more than guidance, but no airline would be willing to step outside easa guidance, so it is always applied rigidly, irrespective of previous experience. Before that, it was five years, and even beyond that, exemptions could be granted for less than a full rating. Yet again, easa screws it up for the humble flight crew!
From my understanding only extra training is required between 3 and 5 years under the latest EASA rules, after 5 years its a full type rating