Qantas Link Trainee First Officer Level 1&2
 

As you already know, it's up on AFAP. Take aim and fire.

A question to those folks flying in Qlink:

Qlink is currently recruiting for Level 1 trainees (those without ATPL theory passes).

Would they accept a person who's been flying heavy turboprop in overseas but only with CPL + MECIR (no ATPL theory passes) for Level 1 trainee position?

Or is it better to complete ATPL theories on my own and apply for direct entry?

Cheers guys.

If you read the criteria the level one entry requires only 1 atpl theory credit

Depends how much you want in...you probably have a better chance of scoring an interview at least with level 1 traineeship if you have hf atpl at least as thats what they're currently advertising. The only real advantage in waiting as I see it is if you have 2000 or more hours slightly better pay.

Is Qlink providing in-house training (outsourced to other schools) to complete the rest of ATPL theories (except ATPL human factors) for Level 1 trainees?

or Level 1 trainee is going to fly Dash-8 without completing all ATPL theories like Air NZ Link FOs?

Thanks in advance.

There's currently no in-house training for ATPL subjects and I can't see the company paying for that.

When do applications close? I couldn't find a date specified.

70 hours PIC? Good to know toddlers are up front :ugh::ugh:
Guess i'll take my 700 pic elsewhere :}\
:=

That's what I thought too. Looks like HUF req. is for NZ license holders.

Still no idea what they wanna do with Level 1 trainees. :8

Hmmmm on AFAP...
On QLink page:
Don't AFAP just copy/paste ads they receive from employers?

ATPL HF makes more sense to me.

In any case, I'd stick in an app except for the bit about NZCAA licence holders needing to convert to CASA licence before applying... That's NOT a quick or easy process from what I hear! :P

I thought they did some deal a few months ago with UNSW to provide Lvl 1 Trainees. UNSW to offer ?QantasLink approved? pilot training scheme | Australian Aviation
All previous trainee-ships have had all of the required qualifications taught outside of the airline before actually joining (some as an inclusion in the traineeship). ATPL CMEIR included. Rex would be the only airline with the capability to train a pilot to ATPL in house (and maybe some of the smaller regionals with attached flying schools), everyone else outsources it to a dedicated flying school.
If you want an airline job and haven't sat the ATPL theory exams you are kidding yourself.

Nearly.....70 is baby, 700 is toddler ( enough confidence to negotiate the slippery footpath, not enough experience to do it slowly) .
Ps, half tongue in cheek, half true....I'm sure you're better than I was at 700 PIC :) I was a menace!

Does anyone feel like not applying for this in anticipation of mainline recruiting?

I see Cobham advertised today for SAR and Dash 8 pilots. I get the feeling that there will be more ad's from companies of a similar size in the next little while as the major's begin to ramp up hiring.

Now fingers crossed for no bird flu/SARs/9-11/economic collapse/whatever else that tends to kill off hiring booms.

You haven't been in aviation for very long have you to know how it works?

Have you ever gone through any recession? It's not you choose the job mate. It's the job that either chooses you or not. :=

Not my personal situation but just wanted to get peoples thoughts, a pilot could have achieved the level one requirements by just doing training to CPL + MECIR without any work experience - any chance these people could get in? Or would it be expected to have at least some GA employment?

Command Positions
 

Does QLink have the required process in place to eventually upgrade these trainees to command positions?

I thought only REX was able to offer ICUS time to meet the minimums for command...

Fairly sure they had that in place before Rex did. They can even do ATPL check rides now.
A 150 CPL pilot with IR and ATPL theory could start at QLink and in 5 years be in the left seat, likely less if they try hard to find hours (not hard up North). QLinks training department is good at what they do, and most have the experience of training the previous generations of trainees.
Cadets or Trainees? QLink doesn't have a Cadet program, it ran a babysitting program for Qantas's Cadets for about 8+ years.
Previous trainees have been dropped into lower courses than their hrs would have suggested. So yes it has been possible to be a trainee when you were close to Direct Entry, or 'in-between' the 2 options.

For those asking it states Pass in Australian ATPL Human Factors Theory, not sure if that was amended to make it clearer

Where does it say? It still says "Pass in a Australian Human Factors theory (Level 1 only)" on Qantas Careers. Just genuinely curious.

On a side note, does anybody know a good place to convert FAA ME-CPL/IR to CASA CPL/MECIR in Perth? Time to get back home it seems. If anyone has any recommendation, PM me plz. Cheers.

On the AFAP ad for me

It will be a requirement to have an ATPL pass in HUF, as with Part 61 it will then allow them to Issue your MCC based on your sim training.

Has anyone received any responses or updates on their applications yet?

An interesting requirement. Not many applicants will have just this, as once you start your ATPL theory it all needs to be completed in a set time to remain valid. 2 years?

One can get rejected for having more hours than the published minimum? what kind of logic is that?

Btw, does any insider know how long this recruitment will keep on going? May be until QF mainline starts S/O recruitment?

Between April and December, about 70 to be hired. It won't stop there though.

AJ,

I thought QL were overstocked - what's changed/changing!? Good news for the rest of us I guess.

Massive shortage for the last 6 to 12 months and looks like it is only going to get worse...many FO's already reached their annual quota and having a well deserved break. The problem is training a newbie is not a 3 or 4 day gig it takes several months and within that time Emirates and Cathay or other operators are taking more. But yes good for people that want to join!

CF,

You'd be correct if you said that a few months ago. This industry is more cyclical than my bank balance.

Time to command still 3-5/6 years depending on the base.

Still plenty of FO's in the queue for a command so very pre-mature to start talking time to command...

Interviews in South Africa
 

I don't mean to throw a spanner in the works.I just thought j would mention that Qantas Link has been in South Africa looking for Dash 8 Q400 first officers.Apparently 30 guys interviewed already and still going on.

Spend the money or wait or both
 

Bit shy on the twin time for direct entry but got triple all the other requirements, would they be strictly looking for newbies to train or would they rather people with a few thousand hours, multiple renewals, turbine time and most of the twin?
Hire a twin and get the hours or apply or do both that's the question isn't it?
Cheers

Over 2000TT and 1000 S/E turbine command isnt enough for direct entry FO it seems!

Anyone got any replies yet?

Hi People.

Has one done a QantasLink web interview? Trying chase up what's involved.

YCOY

Patience grasshopper

Any news yet?
 

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything in the last week or so. My sources have said they were winding up to hit courses hard with alternating 300 and 400 courses every 6 weeks, but nobody seems to be sure of when they will start even interviewing people.