Dilema of staying current and looking for a job

[Capt Wannabe]

Ok, so I passed the IR last August, and MCC in September. Finished my integrated course the week of the September 11th atrocities so have been totally unsuccessful in finding employment so far.. .I'm sure, given time, there will be jobs about, but in the meantime what should I do? I've taken a part-time job to help with the loan repayments, but now, not having flown IFR for almost 6 months, I know I need to get in the air. My biggest concern is that if I'm lucky enough to get a sim ride, I will be so out of practice that I'll fail miserably. Yes, I've read others accounts of this happening.

So the question really is, what are other people doing who are in the same situation? How do you keep some sort of currency, and I suppose ultimately, how do you afford it?

I certainly don't regret doing the course, or being in an enormous amount of debt, and when asked if I would go through it again, the answer would most definitely be 'YES'.

But having spent all that time, money, and hard work on a qualification, I don't want to lose it.

[Autofly]

This maybe a bit a of long shot suggestion but have you thought about hiring the Trident sim down at Biggin Hill. It maybe a dated sim but i've heard its pretty cheap. Even if you use it just to keep yourself gemmed up on your instument flying it maybe worth it. This may sort out your sim check worries.

Just a thought.

Autofly

[MAX]

Get yourself a job in an aviation environment. Use your skills to get a job in operations at a charter company. Failing that maybe a handling job. Sure the money is cr*p but you will meet more people 'in the know' than you can poke a stick at. Get to know the pilots and bum those empty sectors. Nothing puts a smile on your face quite like free jet time when your unemployed. :) :)

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

[davidpowell]

Don't know if this is something workable but...

Why don't PPRUNE members club together to buy a sim for this sort of thing. Would there be any cost saving over renting? You could charge people a nominal fee for its use, and maybe locate it at a central(ish) site. Don't really know what the costs for these things are...?

[spitfire747]

Hi

Not sure if it is any help but i saw a post somewhere else with the same sort fo answer.

It was generally along the lines of to keep your self fairly current and upto date, use a cheap PC based flight sim to practice approaches, holds etc. and practice things like instrument failures.

Not as good as a real sim but might just keep a few ideas rolling around.

Anyway good luck my friend

[foghorn]

CW, I'm in the same position except one month behind so I know exactly what you're going through.

I also managed to get half way through an instructors rating before the money ran out, so I've got that going rusty in my head as well as the multi-IF skills.

I would recommend the Trident Sim near Biggin Hill. In fact, if there's enough interest here in wannabes, why don't a gang of us out-of-work new CPL/IR/MCCs go down there for a sim sesh?

Maybe there's a more experienced pilot out there who could kindly give us some time to make sure that us inexperienced pilots are not picking up and reinforcing bad habits in the Sim?

I live close to the Trident Sim so could provide transport from the station etc. to help keep costs down and also suggest good hostelries for the post-session refreshments.

Any thoughts?. .foggy.

[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: foghorn ]</p>

[Pilot Pete]

In these difficult times it is a tough position to be in and you all get my sympathy.

The Trident sim is excellent for getting some 'jet' practice in. I think it excellent for the money as well, the problem is are you up to flying it once in a blue moon just to keep the instrument skills intact? I don't wish to be derogatory in any way, shape or form, but do consider the fact that you are looking at not being current on piston twins, out of instrument practice and are looking to move up to a jet sim when the basics are a little rusty. Just a viewpoint that you may not have considered and obviously if you feel happy with it then that's fine.

Do consider cheaper sims like London Guildhall's, which I believe is (was) very cheap and even cheaper for ex-students.

It may be worth saving your jet sim time for when it appears likely that you will get asked for a check ride. I know I was current on piston twins flying IFR single crew when I got a jet sim check ride and I shelled out £800 at GECAT to give myself the best chance of passing, so it's all about timing and peaking..........

Good luck

PP

[calypso]

I fully agree, one hour in the trident sim might not be enough to get the feel for the momentum of a larger heavier aircraft. I did an MCC in an Airbus 300 sim last November and the first couple of hours you are just getting used to the feel of it. By hour ten the fun beggins and towards the end you get to love all the emergencies, crosswinds... the instructors throw at you. We even had a go at the microburst scenario, huge sweaty fun. To get the most of it you also have to study the aircraft systems, at least at a basic level.

I am with P Pete it is probably more useful, although not as exciting, to get a piston twin sim for a bit longer and get to do a bunch of approaches, engine failures, etc.

[foghorn]

I agree with your analysis, PP. Basic IF currency training should not be done in the Trident Sim (the speed of the thing usually blows my mind very quickly <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> )

One aspect where the Trident will always win is on cost: at £50ph, it is cheaper than most FNPTs (I'm not sure about LGU's prices but given that may schools rent old multi-piston FNPT(G)s at £100ph + VAT it wouldn't surprise me if they're more expensive than this).

No takers for an informal Sim Day for new CPL/IR/MCCs?

Cheers!. .foggy.

[Tinstaafl]

LGU's fixed base light twin 'sim' was 25ph / 20ph for ex-students. This from about a year or two ago.

It's loosely based on a PA44/PA34 or similar.

[v1rotate]

Guildhall's sim is good at £20 an hour. Highly recommended.

Keeping current (not only just IR but any sort of flying) is(can) be expensive. Try calling up all the parachute/sky dive clubs. Now is probably a good time to start calling before summer starts. I can't ask for anymore than to fly a C206 for free any weekend I like with lots of TKOF's and LDG's. My club even pays me (albeit a small amount)!!! I did alot of calling around last year at about this time of the year before I got the parachute flying gig.

[foghorn]

Wow. that is a good price. How functional is it?

[Pilot Pete]

Foggy et al

try having a look here <a href="http://www.lgu.ac.uk/ca/" target="_blank">http://www.lgu.ac.uk/ca/</a> for the LGU sim. It looks every bit as good as any fixed base Frasca that I've ever seen. I think they replaced/ upgraded it a year or two back so that they could do MCC within JAR, so not sure if it's still £20/hr. Email through the link and they'll send details. Have a look at the sim staff and give them a call and pop in for a visit if you can, they were always very helpful when I was there. It was cheap because it was subsidised being a university.

Ps Try this one <a href="http://www.lgu.ac.uk/ca/courses/ast300.html" target="_blank">http://www.lgu.ac.uk/ca/courses/ast300.html</a> for costs

PP

[ 08 February 2002: Message edited by: Pilot Pete ]</p>

[regor]

I've heard a rumour that CTC Aviation are about to start hiring out their KingAir FNPT 2/MCC trainer for just this sort of thing.

I think they will be charging aroung £50 ph, but I was told there would probably be a discount if at least four hours were booked.

I haven't seen it advertised but it's probably worth a call for any pilots in that area who want to keep their IR current.

[foghorn]

Thanks PP et al. I just booked in for the mandatory checkride on the LGU sim (at £75ph) - after that it's £25ph solo.

Luckily it's just down the road from work for me, so I can slope off for an hour and work late...

cheers!. .foggy.

[Polar_stereographic]

Foggy,

Do you fancy doubling up on this? I'm in the same boat, and maybe we could benefit from a bit of dual.

What dya think?

PS

[regor]

The rumour about CTC's turbo prop sim' available for hire has been confirmed.

Their web site has the details and prices at:. .<a href="http://www.ctcaviation.com" target="_blank">www.ctcaviation.com</a>

It works out at £40.00 ph solo if you book a block of four hours.

Hope this is of use to someone.. . <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: Red Demon ]</p>