PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Patria Pilot Training MD-80 type rating?
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Old 22nd Apr 2006, 13:32
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AFIS
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: England
Age: 59
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As mentioned above, Patria has got a reputation for cheap but poor quality type ratings. Their other courses may go the same way as two of their experienced instructors left for airline jobs earlier this year. Rumour has it they've been or are being replaced with new FI's who are either still under training (200hr guy's) or have just got their ratings and are still restricted. This will save the company money but not do much for quality. I have a friend who is on an Integrated course there.
Think carefully before paying for your own type rating. In finland at least, all the companies have a proper selection process and, if you pass, the company will pay for your type rating and then bond you for it.
I have been told that Patria is working with both Nordic Airways and Finncomm to provide type ratings. Nordic Airways (Swedish?) has some short term (6 month?) contracts in Finland for Blue 1 and is largely a summer season operator. They do not pay for type ratings nor bond pilots for training so you have to pay for everything yourself. Even line training is unpaid! Finncomm normally selects and then bonds it's pilots for training but they do have some contract pilots working on the Saabs who either already had or agreed to pay for their type rating. Not sure why someone would pay for a Saab type rating when, by passing aptitude tests, they could get it for free! Maybe someone here could tell you more about that?
Think carefully before paying for any type rating. If everyone starts doing it the companies will come to expect it and the cost of becomming a pilot will continue to rise.
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