What Age Did You Hit 10 000hrs?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What Age Did You Hit 10 000hrs?
Just out of curiosity, was just wondering, not that grand total hours are too important at this stage, what age most of you hit 10 000hrs grand total.
Please be honest in giving your age (in years and months) when you hit the 5 digits. It might mean digging out your logbook to check.
It would be interesting to find out what the youngest age is for anyone on this forum to hit the 10 000 figure.
Just for fun, how about a little competition here for the youngest to reach the 10k figure?
Please be honest in giving your age (in years and months) when you hit the 5 digits. It might mean digging out your logbook to check.
It would be interesting to find out what the youngest age is for anyone on this forum to hit the 10 000 figure.
Just for fun, how about a little competition here for the youngest to reach the 10k figure?
Last edited by FO Gyro; 5th Sep 2006 at 20:49.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HAHAHEHE LAND
Age: 63
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CJ750
This all depends as the previous reply implies, whether these are 10 000 hours flying or 
"bunking" (Overseas Routes / Long Haul). There is a big difference. I would also like to know how many take-off's and landings some aviators have done if they have scored 10 000 hours or more by "bunking". Is "bunking " really flying.........that is the question.
"bunking" (Overseas Routes / Long Haul). There is a big difference. I would also like to know how many take-off's and landings some aviators have done if they have scored 10 000 hours or more by "bunking". Is "bunking " really flying.........that is the question.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Planet Tharg
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CJ750
After a certain point I don't think the hours really matter. It's more about types and experience. The guy logging hours while bunking probably doesn't need them and doesn't give a rat's arse in any case.
About halfway there myself and never had an aviation job working inside SA except for the odd freelance night freight trip. Everything else has been external contracts.
After a certain point I don't think the hours really matter. It's more about types and experience. The guy logging hours while bunking probably doesn't need them and doesn't give a rat's arse in any case.
About halfway there myself and never had an aviation job working inside SA except for the odd freelance night freight trip. Everything else has been external contracts.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe sectors should be counted as well?
It's always been a contentious issue: how can a long haul pilot log hours when a third of the time is normally in the bunk? In fact, how can you log hours when the autopilot is on, and on a very quiet route, you only make a radio call every 30 minutes, or even no radio calls if the aircraft is fitted with FANS. Where does it all end when you should or shouldn't log hours? I have 500 hours on microlights and gyroplanes. I would say in terms of hand on polling, and the time at the controls, those hours are equivalent to maybe 5000 hours in an airline environment, using a quick calculation.
Getting back to my poll, where are all the 10k guys out there, or aren't there any?
It's always been a contentious issue: how can a long haul pilot log hours when a third of the time is normally in the bunk? In fact, how can you log hours when the autopilot is on, and on a very quiet route, you only make a radio call every 30 minutes, or even no radio calls if the aircraft is fitted with FANS. Where does it all end when you should or shouldn't log hours? I have 500 hours on microlights and gyroplanes. I would say in terms of hand on polling, and the time at the controls, those hours are equivalent to maybe 5000 hours in an airline environment, using a quick calculation.
Getting back to my poll, where are all the 10k guys out there, or aren't there any?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: in the pond
Age: 55
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think most of the guys/gals with 10k plus hours dont waste their time on this forum, because they already have good jobs, heard all of the moaning and negative comments somewhere before the www was around and are probably playing golf or enjoying spending time with their kids after long trips away.
Dont worry, if you carry on you'l too get their someday.
Dont worry, if you carry on you'l too get their someday.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think most of the guys/gals with 10k plus hours dont waste their time on this forum, because they already have good jobs,
OK.. so much negative comments and no posting to the topic, I'll step up!
10K on the 25th Jan 2003 (also the same day that the first "big Airbus" 'worshond' for SAA arrived and made an earthquake landing)
Age 39 years and 4 months +/-
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Romeo E.T. thanks for starting off. Looks like a lot of the more guys with fewer hours prefer to moan and complain more. Why all the negativity? You guys are in a privileged position to be flying, no matter where you are. Every day we defy gravity. That in itself is magic, and should inspire you to have a positive attitude.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Turn left at the door
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about 10 000 sectors? That might seem more satisfactory for those concerned about relative work done per hour flown. We may all be surprised at how many (or few) pilots have hit this milestone.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Planet Tharg
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a question for FO Gyro:
Do you have family connections in SAA or were you an AA candidate? You seem very chirpy and by inference, quite young to have attained your current position. Most folks on here would like to be employed by SAA or one of the other airlines but as circumstances make that difficult we spend our time in the less savoury side of the business. If we appear to be somewhat less than enthusiastic about living in a third world hole somewhere while subsidising your generous package, please don't let it bring you down....
Do you have family connections in SAA or were you an AA candidate? You seem very chirpy and by inference, quite young to have attained your current position. Most folks on here would like to be employed by SAA or one of the other airlines but as circumstances make that difficult we spend our time in the less savoury side of the business. If we appear to be somewhat less than enthusiastic about living in a third world hole somewhere while subsidising your generous package, please don't let it bring you down....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No SRT, I did it the hard way, borrowing money to do my Com, washing aeroplanes for the boss, and was a delivery boy before I was allowed to do any flying (this with a Com and twin rating). I most certainly didn't get any help getting into SAA, took me 3 interviews, like quite a few folk out there, and by then I had quite a bit of jet time, so I didn't just scrape my way in. I know it seems impossible getting into SAA now though.
There seems to be a form of bitterness and sarcasm on this forum for those that have been lucky and had a few lucky breaks along the way. I try to place a posting about when the guys out there reached the 10k mark, and all I get is poor wit and jealousy! How about answering the question I put out there.
Maybe the one post was right that all those that have high hours, coundn't be bothered using forums like this where personal attacks seem to be the order of the day.
There seems to be a form of bitterness and sarcasm on this forum for those that have been lucky and had a few lucky breaks along the way. I try to place a posting about when the guys out there reached the 10k mark, and all I get is poor wit and jealousy! How about answering the question I put out there.
Maybe the one post was right that all those that have high hours, coundn't be bothered using forums like this where personal attacks seem to be the order of the day.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Planet Tharg
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll notice I did answer the question. Not there yet but slogging away. Probably got more than 10000 sectors if you take glider tugging, paradropping and short sectors in the bush (up to 17 in a day) into account.
Hope springs eternal for that airline job one day....
Hope springs eternal for that airline job one day....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also hope you get that break one day.
Just hang in there and enjoy the real flying. Taking off, engaging the autopilot at 200 feet, flying for 12 hours, and then disconnecting the autopilot at 500 feet isn't real flying anymore. That's why I fly gyroplanes in my spare time. Got to still do the real flying thing....
Just hang in there and enjoy the real flying. Taking off, engaging the autopilot at 200 feet, flying for 12 hours, and then disconnecting the autopilot at 500 feet isn't real flying anymore. That's why I fly gyroplanes in my spare time. Got to still do the real flying thing....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UAE
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don''t have 10 000hrs then do not comment. The person who started the topic asked a simple question. This could be very interesting! I only have 4200 so still looking forward to the 10K.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rynfield, Benoni
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree. Just answer the question, without all the sarcasm.
When I look at my age vs. hours, and I look at how many hours a lot of the old toppies have at SAA before they retire, I reckon I will have many more than them (not that it really means anything, except for the fact that we work a lot harder now than they did when they were halfway to a third through their career). Some retiring Captains have 22-25000 hours. I reckon I'll maybe hit 30 000. Admittedly, a lot of them sat in the SAAF leaving there after 10 years with only 1000 odd hours. Civilan pilots working hard do that in a year and a half or so.
When I look at my age vs. hours, and I look at how many hours a lot of the old toppies have at SAA before they retire, I reckon I will have many more than them (not that it really means anything, except for the fact that we work a lot harder now than they did when they were halfway to a third through their career). Some retiring Captains have 22-25000 hours. I reckon I'll maybe hit 30 000. Admittedly, a lot of them sat in the SAAF leaving there after 10 years with only 1000 odd hours. Civilan pilots working hard do that in a year and a half or so.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In the hold
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is an old topic of debate. Personally I like to count sectors. Bunk time is worthless. Some guys would remember the heated debates in the bar in Grooties and Ondangwa........Vlammies, Transport and Chopper Jocks all in one bar. Vlammies do 15 hours a month @ Mach+. Herc and Transall 80 hours @300kts a month. Choppers hand and feet low level N.V.G. Bosbok and Kudu single man cockpit load etc......
Just remember that when you go for that all important sim. check ride with the new company they want to see you perform as per your logbook, so cheat yourself to the low side and fly to the high side.
Being more productive, definately, Ask the old Capt. about trips to Aus. in the early '80s. Something like a 10 day trip, with only one Sydney - Perth shuttle, the rest of the time was spend playing golf.
If I was recruiting hours would not be as important as "where and how" was the hours accumilated. What S.R.T is doing in Dark Africa is real hard work with many challenges and threats.
An instructor in the curcuit..hmm after a 1000 hours of B.U.M.P.F how steep is the experiance curve.......sorry of the subject of 10000 hours I guess.
Just remember that when you go for that all important sim. check ride with the new company they want to see you perform as per your logbook, so cheat yourself to the low side and fly to the high side.
Being more productive, definately, Ask the old Capt. about trips to Aus. in the early '80s. Something like a 10 day trip, with only one Sydney - Perth shuttle, the rest of the time was spend playing golf.
If I was recruiting hours would not be as important as "where and how" was the hours accumilated. What S.R.T is doing in Dark Africa is real hard work with many challenges and threats.
An instructor in the curcuit..hmm after a 1000 hours of B.U.M.P.F how steep is the experiance curve.......sorry of the subject of 10000 hours I guess.
Last edited by ByAirMail; 6th Sep 2006 at 16:08.
Feasant Plucker
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In the lair of the Penguin......
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got to 10k at 49; about 7500 of those were chopper hours - took bloody ages. No more to come - 13k and that's it. I'll watch the action as SLF from now on.
Safe flying.
Safe flying.