Average Hours for the Majors/Regionals

[rich49]

Hi all,
I was looking at Air New Zealands and Qantas websites and I saw that the hours required for pilots were around the 1500 mark. I was wondering how people get into the right hand seat of these carriers? (Not just ANZ and Qantas, but the regionals as well). Obviously these are just the minimum, how many hours do most new starters get in with? What sort of hours? Instructing, charter or what? And what sort of training did they go through, integrated, or modular? Do they prefer type rated people with experience on type? Any help would be great!
Thanks
Richard

[lethalweapon]

Depends on "YOU" - Rich

I've heard of individuals with only 800 hours getting into regionals
one got straight into a jet.
Then there have been others with 5000 + and jet ratings getting "NO" letters.

Put your name forward, right place right time.

[redsnail]

Rich 39,
The system is a bit different to the UK. The most significant difference is that in Oz you cannot log command time, eg P1 U/S in the right hand seat. So, to get some hours up you have to get a GA job. (Yes, I know about the QF cadets but I am keeping it reasonably general)
People get instructor ratings and or fly single engine charter ops out in the bush. Eventually building up some time to get a twin job. (piston that is). Then with luck, QF snap you up or you move onto turbines.
The comcept of integrated and modular isn't really used. You are full time or part time. Subtle differences. You can mix full time with part time as well. I believe the CASA website would have more info on that.
The only company that expects you to pay for your rating at this stage is Virgin Blue. If you have time on type then it does help but in Oz, it isn't the big nrew trend like it is in the UK. VB do like people with solid GA experience with turbine experience too.
As a rough guide, you take the minimums and double it to get what you need to get a look in. Although, as the experienced pilot pool gets hoovered up by the likes of Dragon Air, Cathay, Virgin Blue and the like, the hours needed (v's req'd) tends to fall.
eg, To get into Qantaslink, you'll need several thousand hours with I dare say, a few on turbines.
It helps if you are prepared to shift around the country to get the experience and hours up. Some folk are lucky and are in the right place at the right time, most of us aren't :D

[rich49]

Ok thanks for your help guys!
Richard

[PropDuster]

Hey Red

Are you still flying a "box" 360 out of EGGW. If so do you know Andrew Morley?

Regards Prop

[redsnail]

Just resigned from flying Sheds and yes, I know Andrew Morley. He's still there.

[Parablues]

Just ask Reg out at the Murray Bridge Flying School... He has 8000 hours and the airlines have knocked him back heaps of times... The "official" reason from the Majors was that he didn't possess sufficient CRM skills - I just think that he just couldn't SPELL CRM + he drooled in his numerous attempts...