Commercial Flying

[airshowpilot]

I was hoping to pick a few brains! This is probably an age-old dilemma, but may benefit many newly qualified pilots out there…

I qualified with my JAA CPL/IR last year (also have an FAA CPL/IR) and based in the UK at the moment. I am motivated and willing to travel anywhere in the world but have had little success to date with the airlines (I’ve tried most of Europe, CV/resume send outs as well as phone calls and occasional visits). I simply need to fly but wish to do so as a commercial operator as opposed to instructing at this stage.

I would be interested to hear about how some of you gained your first commercial hours? How things worked out for you after gaining those hours and whether you would you do the same again?

Looking forward to hearing your stories. Thank you.
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[redsnail]

I travelled from Sydney to Kununurra for my first full time flying job. yep, still in Australia but about 5000km away by road. I had to wait around for 4 months to get a start there. I washed aeroplanes etc to pay for the beer in the mean time.
It was worth it. After I started flying I realised pretty quickly that I was flying over some of the world's most spectacular scenery. :D
hard yakka, lots of risk but if you want the reward, you have to take that risk.

[Maximum]

airshowpilot, can I give you some hard advice?

The specific problem in the UK is the incredibly small number of GA jobs open to you with your experience. And to make matters worse, there are in total only a small number of GA jobs in the UK anyway, compared to the likes of the USA for example.

Now you say you're willing to go anywhere in the world. Ah....how many times has this phrase been uttered. Two major problems with this:

1.) Any country you choose will already have people trying for the same job as you, but probably vastly more experienced.

2.) The immigration laws and visa, work permits etc apply just the same to pilots as anyone else. So unless you have dual nationality, that cuts out a whole load of options I'm afraid.

So what can you do? Given the above, parts of Africa where no one else wants to go can still be an option - but risky to life and health. Occasionally a job in the Carribean might come up. But don't hold your breath.

Best bet in the UK is glider towing IMHO. But you'd be best to start gliding and form a relationship with the club, get to know the right people, get some tail dragger time if you can, and take it from there. Same applies to para dropping. Obviously someone known by the club is in all likelihood going to get the job offer before some unknown with a CV.

Personally, I think you seriously need to reconsider instructing. Obviously if you'd hate it, don't do it, 'cos you'll only make a lousy instuctor. But really, if you keep plugging away, it's probably the best route to a job, and then you start gaining experience and those all important hours.

Obviously there will be personal stories which are an exception to all the above, but they are just that - exceptions.

Good luck.

;)

[carbonfibre]

it is an age old question really

I know people who are in the airlines with low hours but on the other hand i know people who have not had any luck whatsoever

I think the old addage of its not "what you know its who you know" and "right place right time" have had a lot to do with it

Like yourself i dont want to instruct, but it is an option, always worth considering, to be fair i havnt had a bad experience with an instructor yet, different in there approach but never bad so they have my admiration

Keep plugging at it something will come up



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