Does an IR improve employment prospects?

[callie dog]

Employment and future prospects, as always at the front of my mind.

A question to all of you out there who hand out the jobs to us pilots.

500hr pilot frozen ATPL (deep frozen!) currently instructing averaging 15hrs per week.

Would me putting my hand into my empty pocket again and pulling out enough money for an IR realistically improve my employment prospects.

[VeeAny]

Sometimes !

If you are in the right place, right time and your face fits then yes.

Generally at the moment i think not.

There are low time guys on here with IRs who don't have a lot of work. And yet one regular (sub 500 hr) PPruner and personal friend of mine has landed a very nice role recently on the basis of his newly acquired IR (he knows who he is, and I'll say no more).

It normally cannot hurt you professionally to hold the rating, it just hurts in the pocket.

And no I am not a job hander outer sorry!

All seems to be changing on the North Sea, so that may open or close some doors who knows ?

That said some jobs being advertised requiring IRs in the usual mags lately.


V.

[Old Skool]

callie dog,

to get the CPL changed to a frozen ATPL i thought that required your instrument rating within 3 years of your exam passes.
please tell me if i'm wrong

as far as getting the IR i think it would help but choosing the right time to get is important because they are expensive to keep

[VeeAny]

IR within 3 yrs of last exam passes is correct (FCL-2.495).

However that's not all you need to do to upgrade to ATPL(H) per FCL2.280.

1000Hrs flight time,
350hrs multi pilot (in a multi pilot aircraft) under IFR.
250hrs PIC or 100Hrs PIC + 150 P1S.
200Hrs Cross Country (100Hrs of that PIC).
70Hrs instrument (not more than 30 in a sim).
100Hrs Night.

You need all of these now for the issue of a JAR ATPL(H).

ATPL(H) must be obtained with 7 years of the 'last validity date' of the IR(H). I presume if the IR is revalidated then exam passes are extended for this purpose.

Big change from the old system.

V.

[VeeAny]

KMS

We've not flown together for a while, very wise words, my view is probably tainted from where I am.

Good luck with the IR knowledge.

Hope to see you soon, although I doubt we would recognise one another.

The people I know have done exactly the same, so perhaps it's not as bad as I paint it, I just don't like seeing anyone waste money because some people sell them the dream.

Fly Safe

V.

[Helipolarbear]

KMS....Getting the IR is kinda like getting your Master's as opposed to a Bachelors..........................I said....Kinda.
You can only seriously benefit in the short and longterm, as well as increase your professional knowledge level to a more broader understanding with a greater degree of safety than without!

My 2 cents!;)

[callie dog]

This helicopter business sure is grey isn't it!!!!!

More expense or do you wait and find out after CPL theory + 3years that just like KMS you have to take the IR relevant exams again - not sure I could go through that again.....

Like a lot of people I am keeping an eye out on the rigs but it seems the current employment prospects are too great.

Another thought - what use an IR with minimum Twin time?

:{

[Rotorbike]

You all know that Specialist Aviation Services have purchased (not delivered) a FNPT(II) which should, by the hour, be loads cheaper than other offering.

Followed by only 15 hours in the AS355 aircraft INCLUDING type!!!

Could represent major savings for a CAA/JAA instrument ticket.

Could be worth a phone call.

I'M NOT LINKED TO THE COMPANY IN ANY FORM.....

[Blind]

When I got my frozen ATPL I couldn't get a flying job so worked chopping vegetables for a catering company. 6 months later I did an IR in a Jetranger. 2 hours after landing from the IRT I had 3 decent job offers and I hadn't even told anyone I'd passed (the examiner did!!??)

So as far as I'm concerned it was all worthwhile. Also if you get your timing right and they like you the school that runs the course will help fund you and bond you to a job on the North Sea.

This was all 5 years ago though and things change.

[Oogle]

Yes! But try to keep current.:}

[blithe]

ok, answer me this, as honestly as you all can.

if i have frozen ATPL + CPL(H), 150 hours total time, all in the schweizer 300, and I get a JAR IR - what's the likelyhood of me getting ANY flying job in the UK

[Curtis E Carr]

blithe

In my opinion, an IR without experience is only likely to be of use on the North Sea, if they happen to be recruiting. I doubt that it would improve your chances of finding employment with an onshore charter company conducting single-pilot operations, even VFR ops, as you still would not have the experience that is often considered neccessary for such a job.

[trim string]

KMS: There is such a thing as a single engine IR, just read JAR FCL or LASORS. You need a single engine IFR aproved helicopter. Ok, there is no helicopter like that in the UK, but that does not mean it does not exist. A single engine helicopter would have to be equipped with a full stabilisation system AND an autopilot, because flying hands on is considered an emergency for single pilot, single engine, normal flying is done with autopilot on, sometimes no modes selected but still activated so you can use the cheeney button to fly the helicopter. Don't get me wrong, you will have to do hands on a lot during training and most aproaches hands on flying as well. I have called all the member states of the JAA and found out that, at least a few months ago, there is only one single engine IFR aproved helicopter under the JAA. It is allowed to fly in IMC, as long as there is a 500 ft cloudbase (Engine off landing) so flies under IFR, just can not do commercial IFR transport with it. (JAR OPS)

A few moths ago, I have done my JAA IR course on that helicopter and actually have it on license, no restrictions what so ever. And I hold a JAA license, registered at the CAA.

A thing to keep in mind when you want to do the IR is that you have to have the type on license (VFR) before allowed to do the IR checkride. I did the VFR checkride in the morning, passed it, took a cup of coffee and went straight for the IR checkride.

In case you do a integrated course, you will have 135 hours TT after the CPL. Then you have a slight problem if you want to do a IR, because you need 50 hours PIC time to get the IR on license. If you want to get a twin type on license, you need 70 hours PIC time. All not a problem for modular students, I guess, but still interesting.

Could you tell me who is advertising for CPL+IR with 200hrs? In case you mean ACN, then it does not matter, Unfortunately I am not Nigerian. (which is the requirment that the ad doesn't mention)

Trim String

[blithe]

no you misunderstand me

if i return from HAI having passed the ATPLs and i have a shiny new JAR CPL(H) licence. then i do the JAR IR in britain on the jet ranger in norwich

what chances do i have of getting a job on the rigs with only 150 hrs in schweizers, and my IR, in my logbook.

[Oogle]

Blithe

Remember this from someone who has been there.

Assuming that all applicants for a job have the same number of hours.

If a rating (IR) or endorsement gets you picked out from the bunch then it is worth it isn't it?? Don't apply for a job thinking "there is no way that I will get a look in".

Apply for every job you can. You will get knock backs but one day an employer will bite. Let the employer decide if you have the experience that they need.

DON"T GIVE UP