Relevance of pre-CPL hours?

[Krautwald]

Hi all,

if competing for a job as a CPL or ATPL holder, how relevant is the PIC time flown post-PPL(A) but pre-CPL? Some have several hundred hours doing noncommercial, but serious stuff like precision overland or whatever, others find a good deal to hour-build. How will this be weighed from an employers perspective?

And is it different for ME time?

Thanks!

[Fostex]

It depends what it is, if it is hour building for the sake of it then not really that important.

On the other hand if you use it to do something interesting, e.g. bush flying, or a long touring flight around Europe or Africa then it might make you stand out to an interviewer.

[tomuchwork]

If you apply for an entry level job(which usually does not require even an ATPL) then the PIC hours piston are of some use because they count as total hours.

As soon as you apply for any serious airline(FO) then it is not that important anymore(except ab-initio, but there you do not hours at all). Normally they look already for some kind of jet/turboprop experience. Of course there are exceptions.

Finally, applying as a DEC this hours are usually totally worthless. Normally you need jet multicrew experience(in command of course), usually minimum 20 tons, more likely >30 or even 40 tons(EK I think >50tons 3000 hours at the moment, but it seems they stopped for the moment, not to piss off more of their FO's).

So, always depends. In a nutshell - early in the career yes, later not anymore. So, if you get this hours for free or very cheap, go for it. If you have to buy them expensive - not.