PPRuNe Career Development

[EMB Bras]

A big thumbs up to Danny and the guys at PPRuNe HQ for coming up with this opportunity for pilots.

What an excellent idea and great incentive to all wannabe's! What a way to get everyone motivated again.

This is a great opportunity for a few lucky ones and I hope that all that qualify do their absolute best to get accepted.

Good luck everyone <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Time for me to go and ponder a JAA ATPL <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: EMB Bras ]</p>

[PPRuNe Towers]

There is a second part to the scheme that is in development now. It will address selecting and helping those, like you, entering or part way through the training system.

One thing for readers to consider will be that we're going to be looking for total aviation people for PPRuNe to assist. Our bias, and yes, it is a bias, will be to select those out there already involved in airsports, gaining flying qualifications and working with others who have the same career aims.

It simply won't be enough to be an expert on applying for sponsorships. You're computer literate and web aware. We'll be expecting to see your first steps in aviation documented and perhaps even on-line.

All part of our theme -'Putting something back.'

Rob Lloyd

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: PPRuNe Towers ]</p>

[Murray_NN]

Congratulations on an excellent idea and scheme.

[JT8]

Superb idea folks!! Good luck with it for those in a position to apply.

[DeltaT]

How come the requirement for a current IR is so vital?. .In the current climate (aka post 11/9) re-validating it for the sake of it with no prospect doesn't seem like a financially good idea.. .We all know if push comes to shove it can be renewed in a matter of days. Is that not good enough?

[mjkukin2]

This is a marvellous idea..even though i am not in the process i would love to have the opptunity to get a type rating.

good luck to all that apply hope you are sucessful, and well done pprune the futures looking brighter allready <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Hamrah]

Delta T

From the point of view of putting people forward for assessment in the 737 simulator, my experience is that people who have a current IR and have been exercising the privileges regularly stand a far higher chance of passing the assessment.

If, during the early phases of selection you could demonstrate that you have an IR, that you have been actively using the IR, and that you have booked a renewal, then it would be worth your time applying. However, if you have not been actively flying in Instrument conditions, the sim assessment would be a very difficult challenge indeed.

John Mahon

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: Hamrah ]</p>

[MorningGlory]

Well done PPRuNe!

At last, a system which is HELPING young pilots with their first steps into the world of an airline career, excellent news!!!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Capt Wannabe]

Just wondering why the form gives the following error :. .Error ! Failure to insert row: This is probably due to you using an email address that has already previously made an application. Press your back button to return to the application form.. . <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> Certainly not the case as I've tried several addresses, and ensured all the required fields are filled in. . .Bit annoying after spending a couple of hours completing it........

[CrashDive]

Captain Wannabe - thus far yours is the 2nd mention of a problem with that error, which has seemingly only affected those applying for the PPRuNe Cadet Scheme.

Accordingly I've had a look at the database design and I think I've found what may have caused it to throw a wobbler.

When initially designed, the database columns that hold stuff like 'TotalTime' were declared as integers (i.e. only designed to hold numbers - because most airline pilots when asked "How many hours ?" say something like "roughly 8,400" and might submit '8,430' - and the database would happily accept that as being a number).

However what the database would not like in an integer column is stuff such as, "123 hours" ( or worse still, "123:10 and I'm going up in my clubs C152 next week so I'll get a few more soon too !" ).. .In that instance, with an Integer column constraint, the database engine then says to itself "Nah, that's not a proper number, so I'd better throw the whole thing out".. .It then reports a very 'woolly' error to me, which then have to try and interpret as what the likely real problem is - and then pass on to you (and characters in integer fields was not one I was expecting, obviously).

So to (hopefully) fix that problem, I've now converted ALL the database columns that hold numbers into ones that instead hold characters (albeit that it upsets my purist streak to do it, but 'needs must' and all that).. .That said, when it comes to anything to do with total time / flying hours, etc, those fields are now at most only a whole eight characters wide inside the database - so everybody please don’t embellish your hours with extra info - I've also just asked Danny to change the application web page to give you a clue as to the format we'd like you to express your hours in, i.e. a nice simple number.

Ultimately CaptW, I'm not saying that that's what happened in your case, but please do give it another try, and report back……. and if you do get a "white screen of death" - read what it says, then press your browsers BACK button and all the stuff you entered should still be there such that you can fix any problem and press 'Apply' again - which you know anyway.

Ps. To be fair, the on-line recruitment went live this morning at 1am. I went to bed at 2am, and was up and at it again at 6am - check the time now - and I need to be out the door at 6am, but rest assured we're all striving to make this as painless experience as we can (both you and us) - but the occasional glitch might occur....... now did I hear somebody say "Swanwick ?!"

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: CrashDive ]</p>

[DeltaT]

In no way am I trying to rain on any parade or be negative about this good scheme. But we've just established you want someone with current IR experience and some history of using it and not just the renewal on its own.. .errr...wouldn't you have to be employed and past the wannabe stage to be doing that?

[Hamrah]

No,

If you have completed an IR, and, when interviewed can demonstrate that you have kept it active by practising flying under instrument conditions, you will show that you are more likely to be able to pass a simulator assessment which is conducted exclusively under instrument conditions.

JM

[CrashDive]

DeltaT - Our underlying concern is that with no proof of recent IR flying proficiency, e.g. proven / validated by (re)examination within, say, the last year, we have legitimate concerns that we'd be wasting both the applicants time, and our own, to put them through a sim assessment which even if current is 'challenging'.

And yes, we do know all about the old chestnut that "Well they've got to do an IR on the aircraft for the type rating anyway, so why do I need to bother renewing my lapsed one ? I've passed before, I can pass again !"..... Err, oh yeah ?!

Be it the sim assessment or the full type rating course, it's probably true to say that:

A). If you've been away from flying for a long'ish period, but got experience to fall back on, e.g. several thousand hours - whilst your scan will be rusty - you might hack it.

B). Similarly, if you've not got the experience, then you'll need to be current & sharp.

C). Lastly, if you're neither experienced or current, you'll need a lot of luck !

[HomerSimpson]

Thanks for everyone involved for giving us all the opportunity to apply to something such as this.

Best Regards,. .Homer

[DoleBoy]

What an excellent scheme well done to all involved maybe this could be the shape of things to come, how about some other airlines considering a similar idea.

Regards

DoleBoy

<img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[spitfire747]

What a fantastic idea.

I am aiming for a JAA ATPL one day and all i can say is this:

Money helps you along way down that road

but

Information, advice, support - all of which I have gained from the people who give up their time to write on this forum will be the vital part of me gaining my licence and dream

Thankyou and keep up all the hard work everyone

[Blindside]

A brilliant scheme. Well done to all those involved.

The £3k payback is a nice touch. Who says this is just a website?

Very best regards

[spitfire747]

Blindside

Have you seen that film, "Pay it forward" ! I guess this is a similar thing !!

[Dutchman]

What a great idea and opportunity. Thanks to all involved. . .I’m in.. .Having a hell of a time with some of the q's, so can't spend too much time posting all my praises for this scheme. . .Good luck to all applying

[CliffordAgius]

this all sounds great I only wish I could apply. However I am one wannabe that is still wanting :-(

I am in my ATPL ground school phase so if there are still schemes like this around when I get my licences I'll be the one fighting to get to the front! :-)

But I want to thank all the PPRUNE crew for giving us wannabes at least a fighting chance keep up the good work!

Must go loads of books looking at me! Very SCARY!!! :-)

[foghorn]

Great idea folks!

With more excellent schemes like these I guess I ought to get my chequebook out and donate some more to the pprune fund!

cheers!. .foggy.

[CliffordAgius]

Good idea we can donate to this fund.

Well being the kind generous type i am I donate what ever I have left after my training! (I hope that you accept negative donations!) <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[zero-lash valve lifter]

Excellent idea as already stated!. .Is there a time limit to submit the application? I have only glanced through the bumf and can see no indication. Only ask since the first interviews are on 15th Feb and I want to submit a good application by spending some time on it.

Cheers

[JB007]

Fantastic news!! Good luck to all who apply.

Pity a few other operators don't have this foresight..

Is this going to be running every year ?. .Not in a position to apply this year as I won't have the IR completed but would like to submit an application next year..

[PPRuNe Towers]

Such generosity Dillon - brought a tear to my eye <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> Still, it's the thought that counts.

Don't feel left out folks if you don't fit the profile for this part of the scheme. We've got some real suprises and help later in the year for those of you just setting out on your career.

Meantime - if you can spare a few beer tokens fund chairman IFR would love to hear from you.

Rob

[InFinRetirement]

Did someone call?

A couple of weeks ago five people got in touch with me to ask for the fund's bank details, which I gladly gave them, so that they could fulfil a promise to make donations. This was good news indeed.

Now some more people, here above! Yes please! Just e-mail me and I will happily supply the same details.

Now we have started giving something back, as the Towers says, there is more ahead - nothing can stop us now!

IFR