View Full Version : ADF Choppers to Airlines
Upgraded
5th Mar 2006, 07:54
A simple question.....
Does anyone know of anyone or have any case studies of any individuals after completing their time with the ADF flying Helicopters, have then gone on to fly with the Airlines in the region (i.e. QF, CX, DJ etc..)??
If so what was the breakdown of their hours at time of entry, both rotary and fixed wing?
Many Thanks,
Upgraded
Shitsu_Tonka
5th Mar 2006, 11:13
Have an acquaintance, now QF 767 Skipper, who joined QF with practically all hours Rotary (B06 / UH1 mainly).
404 Titan
5th Mar 2006, 11:27
Upgraded
I flew with a guy just the other day that flew Sea Kings for the Royal Navy. Left and got a job with a UK carrier flying B737 and B757’s. He joined CX about 11 years ago and has had his command for about a year. I’m not sure his breakdown in hours but I gather from our conversation he didn’t have much fixed wing time before he left the military.
Trained with a bloke - should say, a GUY - in CNK who went on to Blackhawks.
Ran into him again in Maree around 2000/01, he was flying Metro and Chieftain for Dieter. Mutual acquaintance now tells me he is flying for Pornstar or Eastern (can't remember which).
Good on ya...:ok:
Disco Stu
6th Mar 2006, 10:43
I can think of at least 2 ex QFI's that although their last postings were fixed wing they were originally Chopper pilots in the Green Machine. One is with QF, the other CX. I am aware of at least 3 or 4 ex Blackhawk line drivers that are now in QF (at least one is female to boot)
So yes, it does happen. Can't help with hours etc
Disco Stu
petitfromage
6th Mar 2006, 18:27
CX have plenty....9Sqn RAAF, 5AAvn, RNZAF, RN, British AAC & SAAF.
Most had a fixed wing QFI tour or baby jet job before joining at CX and almost all joined before 9/11.
Its tougher now and either way, at CX, you'll still need 1000hrs fixed wing to appease the non-believers.
PM me if you need more info.
John Eacott
6th Mar 2006, 21:41
Europe has a plethora of ex helicopter drivers on airlines: the North Sea was a major recruiting ground some years ago, when the airlines woke up to the wealth of IF experience being grossly underpaid! One of my old Navy helicopter mates has been with BA on 737's for years, he's one of the ex DanDare "protected seniority" crowd, operating out of Gatwick ;)
Not too sure of the local airlines, though, but I suspect that they may wake up to themselves soon and start scouting further afield. Mind you, why anyone would want to run up and down a runway to get airborne is beyond me.......:rolleyes: ;)