@Brainiarc7
 

Going to school where KQ cadets train their pilots does not offer you any advantage.
You will still go through a very rigorous interview process and might still not make it to KQ - ask those who've done this ....
Besides, I was reliably told "KQ does not really care where you learned your flying but how you fly ..."

My advice, find a cheaper school, better weather (Midrand or Lanseria) and if possible do not disrupt your current life - fly right here at wilson or Kisumu (I hear there will be a school there soon ... less traffic etc)

After all is said and done, did you see how many pilots are looking for jobs during the last selection process ?
Maintaining a CPL ME-IR license is not easy for the unemployed ....

I'm NOT discouraging you - these are things to think about ......

NICE ADVICE
 

Very short and nice advice:D

cleared2fl340
 

I think what Brainiarc7 has done is the quintessence of passion. I talked to Career Connections a while back and they reiterated that people have failed the tests..waited...then reapplied and on the third attempt are able to make it.
My opinion, i think Brainiarc7 can ace the test when he tries again and I wish him all the best. Keep at it brother!!

How many?
 

Hi Aviators,

How many people sat for aptitudes (for the two days)? And how many people have been called for medicals? What number will KQ be sending to SA? This will give me a picture of how many start and how many qualify.

To the guys who did Medicals, have you been informed of when the orals are likely to be done? When are successful guys likely to head South?

Flying Schools
 

Hi Team,

My question is mainly directed to guys currently in SA; Progress, AIFA and 43.

For each school, how many groups/ guys are there, when did they go to SA, how far are they, and when are they likely to finish?

These questions (or rather the answers to these questions) will help us make some predictions.

LAST YEAR'S GROUP
 

How many guys made it to S.A in the last years group? particularly the feb 22 group?

Way to go Brainiarc7.

The aptitude list had around 440 names.
psychometric approximately 200,
psychomotor rough estimate 60
About 30 have gone through the medicals.
Last years group 13 were successful.

Newbie
 

Hi guys. I just started out, applied a few days ago. I've been reading the thread since last night and I find it really informative, with lots of answers to many of the questions I had and those I didn't know I had either. Right now I feel both inspired and freaked out. Clearly, from your experiences, I know the wait will be a long one and hopefully not so painful. Patience is key. I believe I'll make it somehow. I do meet all the requirements so now I just have to wait.

Congratulations to all who done made it.

Lopa
 

You are done with the medicals?

Brainiarc7
 

With such kind of money lad you are way better off going to better places than just SA.

If you stop and redo your research again like what other lads have mentioned, i think you will get value for your money! You need to be wise with your investment coz we are talking of almost $70,000 USD!

Heck in some countries such kind of money will not only give you your CPL ME-IR license but also an instructor rating too which can be very valuable as you scout for your first job and also later as you advance with your career!

Investments
 

Well, I realized that going to SA and doing that course will open up my perspectives.
Remember, one does NOT have to fly for KQ to be a pilot. In a manner, 43 will give me options, and from there, I can chart my own path. Be it with KQ or another airline.

Flying does not end nor begin with KQ. That's a fate I'm willing to accept, and risk for it.

Brainiarc7 - It's a club
 

I see your point. We are just sharing points of view - from experience and what we were told.
I have heard it said over and over again - it's a small industry. Opportunities exist, but are not many for the pilots with a few hours. That's why pilots with less than 250 hours are so many .....
Someone has to "hold your hand" otherwise one may give up flying or buy your own plane if you can...I know people who've done the latter .....
Let me say that KQ seems to give the most level playing field.....no one can hold your hand before medicals - and how many people get there ?
Airlines outside Kenya will most likely give priority to their own before considering an outsider. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that a foreigner with low hours will be given an opportunity....e.g. Emirates will want a captain with Airbus rating with 3000 hours plus ON TYPE ....

The reason one should select a school with reasonable rates are many. The savings could get you
1) an additional rating or two
2) more PIC hours
3) an hour building opportunity (some schools facilitate this - but you pay something for it)

Also when you come back, you may require a substantial amount for your conversion - depending on how many hours you back come with and the number of re-sits for the conversion paper.......

I was personally advised to fly for 10hrs before leaving the country for two reasons
1) Are you really sure you want to fly ? - Some people fly just once and quit - because of the turbulence in a small plane or they just become sick. It is wise to establish that you do really want to fly before spending money going to SA.
2) Network - By the time I left I knew a number of student pilots and instructors - it is these people who will tell things ....whatever ....that school....that plane....this airspace ... this company etc

All the best though. I always hasten to add that "Things work out differently for all people ". So follow your heart and accept whatever results your actions bring you ....

Cleared2fl340
 

Thanks.
I'll take that in mind. Your insights are based on experience, and I hold them credible.

See you in the sky.

Frozen ATPLs and converting CPLs to a Kenyan CPL
 

Hello,

To these privy with this issue, does KQ accept frozen ATPL?
Secondly, how much does it cost to convert a foreign CPL to a Kenyan CPL? And what's the process involved?

@Brainiarc7 - Frozen ATPL
 

I believe that in Kenya you can only start sitting for your ATPL papers when you have over 750 hours. I think the actual ATPL license is after 1000 hours - I stand to be corrected.

You cannot therefore convert SACAA Frozen ATPL to Kenyan frozen ATPL. That concept does not really exist.
You'll have to convert to CPL ME-IR first unless you have 750 - 1000 hours. You must then keep your SACAA license valid and current until you attain the required hours and then apply for the conversion .....

I stand to be corrected.

Cost of conversion depends on what license you come with what license you want to convert to ...
Try and come with 240 actual flight hours. This should include 25 hours on a twin, out of which, 15 of those hours are actual instrument hours (on the twin).
You can do your instructor rating as well and include these in the 240.
If you have money, throw in a caravan rating ....

You can fly the additional 10 hours in the Kenyan airspace (Sometimes pilots are told that they must fly for at least 10 hours locally).
KCAA will tell you what to do when you present your foreign license to them. So go there first thing ....

Aviation is expensive, I suggest you have at least 600k, just in case KCAA or a flight School demands that you to fly more than you anticipated.
If you do what I've suggested, it might cost you much less......

Atpl and conversion
 

From what I heard, KQ don't recognize frozen ATPL.
Cost for conversion to Kenyan CPL is about 600k
When choosing flying, don't be tempted to choose those 'cheap' schools. Some of these have hidden extras eg landing fees etc.
Do your research well and you'll get a good one cost wise that will reveal total cost with no hidden extra.
From my recent fees breakdown I got from the 2 top schools, Progress Flight Academy has the total Integrated CPL cost at about $62k while
43 Airschool has INTEGRATED ATPL (A) at (643,458 SA Rands) equivalent to $65k. No hidden extras. but a bit pricey anyway:hmm:

what next
 

we did the medicals, so whats next and when?????.....those who know???

Frozen ATPL
 

There is no such a nothing like Frozen ATPL!

What it means is that you have passed ATPL theory subjects and the only license you hold is your CPL ME-IR. You will acquire ATPL after 1500hrs (for most countries). Not sure about Kenya.

From my personal experience, alot of people focus on building PIC hrs until they hit the magic number 1,000hrs! Then you start studying for your ATPL. If you hold a FAA license, you just do a pratical test and a checkride!

@flyber
 

Thanks. You are correct.

Its actually an Integrated ATPL , labeled as a "Frozen ATPL" by 43s internal documentation. Damn. I hate the way they throw around ambiguous terms before coming to the grits and bits of the matter at hand .

Thanks for the info on the conversion rates. With that, one can budget fully on what to expect.

@Jizzo
 

About whats next, i have no idea. All i know is that some of us (Ab Initios) still haven't completed the medicals bt I personally will complete mine today. So lets maintain the patience...