How did you achieve the dream?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How did you achieve the dream?
This question is mainly directed at the people who have actually achieved the dream of flying for a living, and as I know this forum is mainly directed at the wannabes I hope there's enough professionals who actually read it for it to be of any use.
Anyway, there's plenty of topics filled with peoples opinions on all the different ways of getting a fATPL, and on all the potential employers. But what I would like to know is how did YOU do it?
Did you go integrated/modular? What FTO was it with? What did you think of them? How did you finally land that job? Is it with an airline/charter, etc.? What do you think of your employer (I understand you won't be too honest on that point
)? Finally, is there any pitfalls you came across during all that we should know about?
I understand that this isn't one simple question (its probably more of a poll than a question), but I thought if we could hear other peoples experiences we could decide for ourselves what the best course of action is to getting a job, rather than just hearing peoples opinions. (I apologise if something like this has been posted before)
Anyway, there's plenty of topics filled with peoples opinions on all the different ways of getting a fATPL, and on all the potential employers. But what I would like to know is how did YOU do it?
Did you go integrated/modular? What FTO was it with? What did you think of them? How did you finally land that job? Is it with an airline/charter, etc.? What do you think of your employer (I understand you won't be too honest on that point
)? Finally, is there any pitfalls you came across during all that we should know about?I understand that this isn't one simple question (its probably more of a poll than a question), but I thought if we could hear other peoples experiences we could decide for ourselves what the best course of action is to getting a job, rather than just hearing peoples opinions. (I apologise if something like this has been posted before)
PPRuNe Handmaiden
It wasn't my first choice in careers, science was. Got taken on a scenic flight by a colleague at work when I was 21. That got me thinking about flying and getting a PPL. Once I started flight training I decided to get my CPL.
Did every thing part time aka modular here. PPL in 1987 in Sydney, Australia. COntined working my main job as a lab technician at uni. To help pay for the flying and the mortgage I worked as a high school cleaner, bar attendant and a bouncer. Of course, not all at the same time. While working the main job and one or two of the part time jobs I was studying for the CPL. Used all the holidays to do the flying.
I got my CIR (aka multi engine IR) in 1989. This was the year that aviation in Australia changed forever. Once the dust had settled Australia slid into a recession and the chances of flying work was very thin.
Ended up getting the CPL in 1991. Started working part time on the instructor rating which I got in 1992. I started working part time as a Grade 3 instructor cum general dog's body on the weekends at Hoxton Park. In the meantime I was studying for the ATPL. (5 nights a week at tech). Do the maths, full time day job, part time weekend work, 5 nights at tech. Very very busy and stuff all time to myself. This is how I spent 1993.
The signs were good for recovery. So, in Jan 1994 packed a car, left work, family and friends and struck out to the Kimberley to get a job. (Kimberley region in Western Australia). Got work as an aircraft washer and general hangar slave. Just over 4 months later I get a full time flying job. I was flying C206/7/10's carrying tourists on scenics, govt workers and aborigines to communities. Absolutely incredible flying and scenery. GPS? what's that?
The following year (1995) sees me returning from Sydney armed with the ATPL subjects passed. Finally. Now I get onto the Partenavia (twin) as well as the singles.
1996 sees me shift to Broome and Islander flying for Australian Customs. aka Coastwatch. I do this for over 2 years. Again, amazing scenery and incredible flying but my IR skills deteriorate because I am flying mainly VFR. This does cause some problems so I decided to head east and get some more IMC flying. I have the hours to get my Aust ATPL.
In late 1998 find me in Cairns flying as an FO on Bandits and Twotters. I have about 3300 hours. I get some great experience zooming around cyclones and get familiar with multi crew turbine operations. I have a great time in Cairns. One of the world's paradises.
Mid 2000 after a great holiday to the UK sees me perched in a Dash 8 living in Sydney. I quickly realised that if I want to fly jets I got to shift. I had other reasons apart from that and thus in early 2001 finds me sitting in a 744 flying to the UK to start a new life here.
2001 sees me complete all the rotten JAR ATPL exams. September 2001 sees all my (and I dare say others) plans being rewritten. I go home for a while to regroup. (Dad had died etc while I was in the UK).
2002 sees me get a Shed rating and a JAR ATPL. Now I start work in Ops for Streamline. Very useful and I learnt a lot. Dec 31 2002 I get the OPC done and I start flying full time. A year has passed and I am still sitting in the RHS of a Shed flying night freight. I hope to change jobs very soon. I have over 5000 hours( nearly 2000 hours turbine), 38 years old.
Some days it's great. Other days it sucks.
You really got to want this career.
Did every thing part time aka modular here. PPL in 1987 in Sydney, Australia. COntined working my main job as a lab technician at uni. To help pay for the flying and the mortgage I worked as a high school cleaner, bar attendant and a bouncer. Of course, not all at the same time. While working the main job and one or two of the part time jobs I was studying for the CPL. Used all the holidays to do the flying.
I got my CIR (aka multi engine IR) in 1989. This was the year that aviation in Australia changed forever. Once the dust had settled Australia slid into a recession and the chances of flying work was very thin.
Ended up getting the CPL in 1991. Started working part time on the instructor rating which I got in 1992. I started working part time as a Grade 3 instructor cum general dog's body on the weekends at Hoxton Park. In the meantime I was studying for the ATPL. (5 nights a week at tech). Do the maths, full time day job, part time weekend work, 5 nights at tech. Very very busy and stuff all time to myself. This is how I spent 1993.
The signs were good for recovery. So, in Jan 1994 packed a car, left work, family and friends and struck out to the Kimberley to get a job. (Kimberley region in Western Australia). Got work as an aircraft washer and general hangar slave. Just over 4 months later I get a full time flying job. I was flying C206/7/10's carrying tourists on scenics, govt workers and aborigines to communities. Absolutely incredible flying and scenery. GPS? what's that?
The following year (1995) sees me returning from Sydney armed with the ATPL subjects passed. Finally. Now I get onto the Partenavia (twin) as well as the singles.
1996 sees me shift to Broome and Islander flying for Australian Customs. aka Coastwatch. I do this for over 2 years. Again, amazing scenery and incredible flying but my IR skills deteriorate because I am flying mainly VFR. This does cause some problems so I decided to head east and get some more IMC flying. I have the hours to get my Aust ATPL.
In late 1998 find me in Cairns flying as an FO on Bandits and Twotters. I have about 3300 hours. I get some great experience zooming around cyclones and get familiar with multi crew turbine operations. I have a great time in Cairns. One of the world's paradises.
Mid 2000 after a great holiday to the UK sees me perched in a Dash 8 living in Sydney. I quickly realised that if I want to fly jets I got to shift. I had other reasons apart from that and thus in early 2001 finds me sitting in a 744 flying to the UK to start a new life here.
2001 sees me complete all the rotten JAR ATPL exams. September 2001 sees all my (and I dare say others) plans being rewritten. I go home for a while to regroup. (Dad had died etc while I was in the UK).
2002 sees me get a Shed rating and a JAR ATPL. Now I start work in Ops for Streamline. Very useful and I learnt a lot. Dec 31 2002 I get the OPC done and I start flying full time. A year has passed and I am still sitting in the RHS of a Shed flying night freight. I hope to change jobs very soon. I have over 5000 hours( nearly 2000 hours turbine), 38 years old.
Some days it's great. Other days it sucks.
You really got to want this career.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: N. Ireland
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks redsnail for putting the effort in, very thorough and very useful. It seems like you're a good example of why you need to want to fly. Its also good to hear about some other types of jobs you can do with an ATPL, not just airline work.
Cheers
Cheers
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Doing a bit of a reverse to what I did in 2000. Going to shout myself a 3 week holiday in Oz and then return to learn all about flying a 737.
Just when you think enough's enough, it comes good.
A colleague who is in his 40's (captain on a Shed) has got the nod to do a sim check with a jet freight operator. (I can't say who)
Just when you think enough's enough, it comes good.
A colleague who is in his 40's (captain on a Shed) has got the nod to do a sim check with a jet freight operator. (I can't say who)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: on the bridge
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi redsnail:
I was thinking of going the other way, out to Australia from the UK. It sounds like you had a lot of trouble trying to get a jet job in oz. Are Australian jet jobs harder to find than in the UK? I mean, if I had 3000 hours TT, say on a regional in the UK, would I have a chance getting in with say, Qantas?
Thanks,
jau.
I was thinking of going the other way, out to Australia from the UK. It sounds like you had a lot of trouble trying to get a jet job in oz. Are Australian jet jobs harder to find than in the UK? I mean, if I had 3000 hours TT, say on a regional in the UK, would I have a chance getting in with say, Qantas?
Thanks,
jau.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Well, there's not as many jet operators in Australia as there are in the UK so naturally it is harder.
Jau, you'd have as good as chance as any.
The things to look out for with regards jobs in Oz.
Right of abode.
Licence conversion. Does company "x" take a conversion or do they want all the ATPL exams done. Note, I believe Virgin BLue won't take licence conversions (ie the single exam thing). You must check with them as to your own situation.
Experience. Some airlines in Oz want genuine P1 time versus P1 u/s.
Get through the interview.
Apparently the CASA website is down at the moment, a lot of info is there. Also a lot of info in the D&G forums too.
Jau, you'd have as good as chance as any.
The things to look out for with regards jobs in Oz.
Right of abode.
Licence conversion. Does company "x" take a conversion or do they want all the ATPL exams done. Note, I believe Virgin BLue won't take licence conversions (ie the single exam thing). You must check with them as to your own situation.
Experience. Some airlines in Oz want genuine P1 time versus P1 u/s.
Get through the interview.
Apparently the CASA website is down at the moment, a lot of info is there. Also a lot of info in the D&G forums too.
