Qlink's future.
Whether or not QLink will ever operate jets is a commercial decision that I am sure the honchos at QF will make without our advice or opinions.
Whether pilots could transition direct from the Q400 to LHS jet is a no-brainer. ANYONE who is a competent pilot on a turbo-prop can do it, and not take very long to do it, either. Even from older generation analogue turbo-prop to glass jet is do-able for anyone of normal intelligence and ability.
As for CASA: Where, in their old or proposed new rules, does it say an ATPL must have prior jet-experience to fly a jet? Plenty of pilots have gone from turbo-prop to jet commands, having done just the minimum required line training - and lived to tell the tale.
IF it were to happen, it would be the insurers who would insist on a core of type-experienced check and training people to kick it off. Unless the incumbent Chief Pilot had appropriate jet time, CASA would probably insist on a type-experienced 'Fleet Captain' in the interim and would of course have to approve the checkies. So CASA could make it hard for a few, but not really for QF in the grand scheme of things. Other than that, CASA would be on thin ice if they tried to dictate that all Captains had to have prior jet time over and above the ICUS requirements in the regulations.
IF the pilots union had any teeth it would allow a very limited number of direct-entry checkies in, perhaps on fixed-term contracts, then see them off with a nice thank-you party after a couple of years.
Sadly - if history is anything to go by - should it happen, pilots will fall over themselves to accept whatever terms are on offer.
Whether pilots could transition direct from the Q400 to LHS jet is a no-brainer. ANYONE who is a competent pilot on a turbo-prop can do it, and not take very long to do it, either. Even from older generation analogue turbo-prop to glass jet is do-able for anyone of normal intelligence and ability.
As for CASA: Where, in their old or proposed new rules, does it say an ATPL must have prior jet-experience to fly a jet? Plenty of pilots have gone from turbo-prop to jet commands, having done just the minimum required line training - and lived to tell the tale.
IF it were to happen, it would be the insurers who would insist on a core of type-experienced check and training people to kick it off. Unless the incumbent Chief Pilot had appropriate jet time, CASA would probably insist on a type-experienced 'Fleet Captain' in the interim and would of course have to approve the checkies. So CASA could make it hard for a few, but not really for QF in the grand scheme of things. Other than that, CASA would be on thin ice if they tried to dictate that all Captains had to have prior jet time over and above the ICUS requirements in the regulations.
IF the pilots union had any teeth it would allow a very limited number of direct-entry checkies in, perhaps on fixed-term contracts, then see them off with a nice thank-you party after a couple of years.
Sadly - if history is anything to go by - should it happen, pilots will fall over themselves to accept whatever terms are on offer.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eagles Nest
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If they could recruit experienced guys into RHS it would help . Qantas mainline would be logical place to source this experience but hard to see them happy to sit in RHS with a younger Qlink cpt . Plenty of pilots would consider coming back from O/S , they have nothing to prove and bags of cash so pressure off , just enjoy the A/C and Aussie lifestyle .
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Asia
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, no idea how I managed to transition from a small turboprop (5T) to the LHS of a large corporate jet. (45T) Perhaps it was the training? Just how do those bograts like Bloggs (sorry former bograt) manage to go from pimpley faced kids to fighter pilots in Mirages (showing my age)! and FA-18's etc?
Last edited by fl610; 12th Jun 2013 at 04:40.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: I prefer to remain north of a direct line BNE-ADL
Age: 48
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Cessna 152 is still harder than Boeing Jets because they are such a light bugger, forget the speed its same shit different plane, take your hands of it! Cant believe children of the magenta crap on like this....
Sure, Impuse did it, AOC for HC RPT, crews trained, deal done
Many others I could mention too, but the point here is why would QANTAS want to do it, when their current trend seems to be one of dividing the company's activitys into small disposable packages
Many others I could mention too, but the point here is why would QANTAS want to do it, when their current trend seems to be one of dividing the company's activitys into small disposable packages
Last edited by Buttscratcher; 12th Jun 2013 at 11:03.
Well Skywest/Tiger/Network/Voz/Virgin all required people with time on type. Skywest to the point where they imported labour. So I very much highly doubt Easterns will be given some special exemption. And it isnt just one guy either you will need experience in the checking ranks and then a percentage of your captains will need to be experienced on type.
But who knows maybe QF group have some special deal where they can do whatever they like.
But who knows maybe QF group have some special deal where they can do whatever they like.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Australia
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Impulse (Air Crews Control to be correct) employed external pilots with jet time as Captains when the 717's arrived. Only a select few of the 1900 pilots were given commands on the 717 at start up.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: flyville
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And after 10 pages of standard pprune crap & speculation in this thread, I bet in 3 years time nothing will have changed at all.
Time for some to take a cold shower.
Time for some to take a cold shower.
Last edited by R.Cruizo; 13th Jun 2013 at 00:09.
...... Anyway it ain't gonna happen
That company is set up to fly turboprops to turboprop destinations
If AJ wants jets to fly somewhere, he'll get his other 4 or 5 companies to do it.... That's why he set it up like that
That company is set up to fly turboprops to turboprop destinations
If AJ wants jets to fly somewhere, he'll get his other 4 or 5 companies to do it.... That's why he set it up like that
It would make no sense for Qantas to do it , so no chance !
Nunc est bibendum
Just how do those bograts like Bloggs (sorry former bograt) manage to go from pimpley faced kids to fighter pilots in Mirages (showing my age)! and FA-18's etc?
(Note: I've no first hand experience of the RAAF training system but I do have some knowledge of it. I do have first hand experience of airline training systems from cadet, to initial type rating and then promotional).

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Asia
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keg I am referring to the way that airlines used to train people and the way that good corporate flight departments still do.
Not the pay for training, throw them online, let the line captains deal with it kind of approach that we see in a lot of airlines these days.
Not the pay for training, throw them online, let the line captains deal with it kind of approach that we see in a lot of airlines these days.
Nunc est bibendum
Agreed. Chalk and cheese. Of course, one method takes, time, effort, energy and therefore money. The modern way is devoid of all of those things.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

The way I see it, all the new management positions for "jet pilots" was purely a matter of cronyism - creating a PD that only their mates (wanting to come back from overseas) could meet - excluding the existing staff from qualifying, because they "did not have the qualifications to fit the PD".
It goes on all the time in airlines, and not just the missing link.
I can't believe all you guys getting hardons over jets. When I joined Eastern in 1994 there were rumours of it happening. Almost 20 years later, still nothing had happened because COBHAM is the Qantaslink jet operator. (Yes, Southern had 146's for a little while).
Best get over it and fight the good fight in your next EBA without the distractions of the Furphy that is jets. They're only doing this to soften you up.
It goes on all the time in airlines, and not just the missing link.
I can't believe all you guys getting hardons over jets. When I joined Eastern in 1994 there were rumours of it happening. Almost 20 years later, still nothing had happened because COBHAM is the Qantaslink jet operator. (Yes, Southern had 146's for a little while).
Best get over it and fight the good fight in your next EBA without the distractions of the Furphy that is jets. They're only doing this to soften you up.
Last edited by Hugh Jarse; 13th Jun 2013 at 09:21.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Asia
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agreed. Chalk and cheese. Of course, one method takes, time, effort, energy and therefore money. The modern way is devoid of all of those things.
Education is slow, expensive and works.
Legislation is quick, cheap and doesn't work.
Clearly, legislation is the winner!
Education is slow, expensive and works.
Legislation is quick, cheap and doesn't work.
Clearly, legislation is the winner!


Last edited by fl610; 13th Jun 2013 at 21:17.