My First Line Flight
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Cav,
At least I was not on my knees from the start of the season. At least we know what the O in O'Neill stands for now - zero, zip, nada!
Will have to check the old log book, but have a feeling I may have done CATIII's traumahawk checkout many moons ago.
At least I was not on my knees from the start of the season. At least we know what the O in O'Neill stands for now - zero, zip, nada!
Will have to check the old log book, but have a feeling I may have done CATIII's traumahawk checkout many moons ago.
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Once again chaps thank you for your responses. Of course it is all still very new to me, but coming into LHR yesterday was fantastic, after a trip back from Palma, I could help having a glance out of my window to see tower bridge and the city of London intercepting the LOC to 27L. I even spotted London Met Uni where I did my ATPL's! I remember sitting outside in the summer at lunch time, back in 2003, looking up watching jets join the ILS at LHR, wondering if I would be there in a few years . 27L in front of me, hands on the thrust levers, fantastic!
Cav, oh yes, the PA38, dont we just love 10B(ii) in that somewhat over powered, fantastic performing aeroplane
. Average Bloke, master yoda did my checkout. Don't you remember it was on that dead calm day, and I was wondering what all the fuss was about flying the trammahawk 
.
Anyway chaps/chapesses, thanks once again for your comments, enjoy your flying.
. 27L in front of me, hands on the thrust levers, fantastic!Cav, oh yes, the PA38, dont we just love 10B(ii) in that somewhat over powered, fantastic performing aeroplane
. Average Bloke, master yoda did my checkout. Don't you remember it was on that dead calm day, and I was wondering what all the fuss was about flying the trammahawk .Anyway chaps/chapesses, thanks once again for your comments, enjoy your flying.
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Inspiring News!
Hey all,
First of all I would just like to say a massive congrats to Cat 3, what an inspiring post, fantastic to read.
I have a few comments I would like to share with you guys, this is my first post but I have been reading through these forums for a long time.
First of all, I am a 16 year old boy who started my PPL at 14, Aviation, to become an airline pilot is my life... and like many others, i am totaly determined and devoted to reaching my goal. This brings me onto my point.
To start with, I am honoured to be posting this along with Airline Pilots in the industry. But after the very inspiring post of Cat3 I am very disappointed to read of the negative things written. I am fully aware that many people feel differently and everyone is very entitled to their opinion, but I constantly read posts full of negativity. Reading these posts will never change my aspirations of becoming an airline pilot. But it is not very inspiring for young budding airline pilots to read either.
I think that pilots who may not be happy in their positions should take a moment before their share their opinions of negativity in such an inspiring post. I have a long way ahead of me yet, and it would be nice to here positive things from pilots within their jobs. I have many friends in the industry who say it’s the best thing in the world. I apologise for the downheartedness of my post, and I also realise that I do not share everyone’s personal circumstances and cannot share their feelings.
I am starting to babble now, but goodness me; People also get almost applauded for injecting negative thoughts in such an inspiring post. Reading Cat 3's first ever day on the line put a huge smile across my face at the dream of myself being their one day, Only to have that smile wiped of by people having no desire to inspire the next generation of pilots.
Please do not think that I am aiming this post at anyone, because really I am not, I just feel a positive lift toward posts and especially inspiring posts such as this wouldn’t heart this forum at all!
Sorry if I offended anyone, and I hope you can empathise with my views and thoughts.
Congrats again Cat3!
Josh
First of all I would just like to say a massive congrats to Cat 3, what an inspiring post, fantastic to read.
I have a few comments I would like to share with you guys, this is my first post but I have been reading through these forums for a long time.
First of all, I am a 16 year old boy who started my PPL at 14, Aviation, to become an airline pilot is my life... and like many others, i am totaly determined and devoted to reaching my goal. This brings me onto my point.
To start with, I am honoured to be posting this along with Airline Pilots in the industry. But after the very inspiring post of Cat3 I am very disappointed to read of the negative things written. I am fully aware that many people feel differently and everyone is very entitled to their opinion, but I constantly read posts full of negativity. Reading these posts will never change my aspirations of becoming an airline pilot. But it is not very inspiring for young budding airline pilots to read either.
I think that pilots who may not be happy in their positions should take a moment before their share their opinions of negativity in such an inspiring post. I have a long way ahead of me yet, and it would be nice to here positive things from pilots within their jobs. I have many friends in the industry who say it’s the best thing in the world. I apologise for the downheartedness of my post, and I also realise that I do not share everyone’s personal circumstances and cannot share their feelings.
I am starting to babble now, but goodness me; People also get almost applauded for injecting negative thoughts in such an inspiring post. Reading Cat 3's first ever day on the line put a huge smile across my face at the dream of myself being their one day, Only to have that smile wiped of by people having no desire to inspire the next generation of pilots.
Please do not think that I am aiming this post at anyone, because really I am not, I just feel a positive lift toward posts and especially inspiring posts such as this wouldn’t heart this forum at all!
Sorry if I offended anyone, and I hope you can empathise with my views and thoughts.
Congrats again Cat3!
Josh
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Originally Posted by cat3
I know this gets mentioned a lot on PPRUNE, but believe me, the determination, blood sweat and tears going through your training and trying to get a job certainly is worth it when you get there.
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Well done CAT 3 - remember my first TKOF in B727 after small TurboProps - later followed by B757 and Last, long Haul on B767 - now trying the BizJet route to see if I can get back that smile ...............
Josh
Don't worry about Dartagnan.
In February 2006 he wrote:
yet on 10/9/6 he wrote:
Somewhere else he's said he's been looking for 10 years, and somewhere else 5 years.
It seems that now he may have paid for an A320 type rating with CAE and been placed with Vueling, but in any case he only started the type rating in January
I started a 737 type rating in January and I only did my first line flight on 12th April, admittedly there were some training delays for me, however if Dartagnan started an A320 rating on 13/1/7 I would think the earliest he would start line flying would be the middle of March, and therefore he's got fed up with it in less than a month.
In fact he was fed up with the company by 10th March
On 30th March
So perhaps he hadn't started line training by April????
It is possible that he is telling the truth, and has now realised he's made a big mistake and flying is not for him.
From a newbies point of view I think that there is so much to learn, so much to think about and consider that you need to put the autopilot in to free up the mental capacity to make sure you doing your job properly. When you join at our level there is so much work to be done, and so much to work towards, initially you are working towards getting rid of the safety pilot, then you are looking to cover all of the Line Training syllabus and perfect your landings to enable you to pass your line check and get rid of the training captain. I find it difficult to see how anyone can find such challenges boring, and Dartagnan is surely in the minority.
Cat3, great post, My first line flight was an amazing experience, it's so good to finally get in the seat after years of training.
Don't worry about Dartagnan.
In February 2006 he wrote:
I am a ryanair pilot, and I suggest you to stay away from them.
I had to wait 12 months before to touch an airplane, they took all my money.I have been threated by their manager tha if I leave they would sue me,...
now I am flying, I wake up at 4 am everyday, we work 13-15h non stop, 7-8 hours fly a day, week end included, no holyday.
It s creazy, we are very tired, and we have to go back flying.
I pay for my B&B, uniform, food, for everything. after 6 months, they didnt pay me yet...
they treat us like ****, even less than a piece of ****, we have to pay even our own pencil, their stupid dispatch room has no office ustencil....
this company is an insult!should I say more?
I had to wait 12 months before to touch an airplane, they took all my money.I have been threated by their manager tha if I leave they would sue me,...
now I am flying, I wake up at 4 am everyday, we work 13-15h non stop, 7-8 hours fly a day, week end included, no holyday.
It s creazy, we are very tired, and we have to go back flying.
I pay for my B&B, uniform, food, for everything. after 6 months, they didnt pay me yet...
they treat us like ****, even less than a piece of ****, we have to pay even our own pencil, their stupid dispatch room has no office ustencil....
this company is an insult!should I say more?
just a little sondage on your experience.
slightly over1500h TT, mainly single time, 400 light multi, UK JAA frozen.
still looking after 2 years!
slightly over1500h TT, mainly single time, 400 light multi, UK JAA frozen.
still looking after 2 years!
It seems that now he may have paid for an A320 type rating with CAE and been placed with Vueling, but in any case he only started the type rating in January
I have applied in April, and I start my training with CAE on the 320 next week.
(not ryanair).
it is hell expensive (24'000+8000euro for base training)
add accommodation, food, transport,license fee,...
regrettably, this is the only training/job I have found which "worths" the money spent .I wanted be sponsored, but no luck!
(not ryanair).
it is hell expensive (24'000+8000euro for base training)
add accommodation, food, transport,license fee,...
regrettably, this is the only training/job I have found which "worths" the money spent .I wanted be sponsored, but no luck!
In fact he was fed up with the company by 10th March
I hope Vueling will pay their first officer a little more. we do a hard job and we have invested lot of money in our training. If you want keep your pilots, pay them more!!! this is not only for Vueling, but for any companies. vueling does not pay for your type rating! only for highly experienced pilots.
pilots join Vueling to fly the 320 (Airbus school?).
You can barely survive if you are single (no kids)...
pilots join Vueling to fly the 320 (Airbus school?).
You can barely survive if you are single (no kids)...
I discovered something new at Vueling:
before starting on your line training(and thereafter every 6 months), you have to pass an OPC check(operating procedures check
before starting on your line training(and thereafter every 6 months), you have to pass an OPC check(operating procedures check
It is possible that he is telling the truth, and has now realised he's made a big mistake and flying is not for him.
From a newbies point of view I think that there is so much to learn, so much to think about and consider that you need to put the autopilot in to free up the mental capacity to make sure you doing your job properly. When you join at our level there is so much work to be done, and so much to work towards, initially you are working towards getting rid of the safety pilot, then you are looking to cover all of the Line Training syllabus and perfect your landings to enable you to pass your line check and get rid of the training captain. I find it difficult to see how anyone can find such challenges boring, and Dartagnan is surely in the minority.
Cat3, great post, My first line flight was an amazing experience, it's so good to finally get in the seat after years of training.
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Whether Dartagnan is genuine or not, the point is valid: quite a few pilots discover that airline flying is not what they thought it would be, and would rather make their future in another area of aviation. There's nothing wrong with that; it would be very surprising if it suited everyone. Unfortunately, the legend and myth surrounding the job has a tendency to generate unrealistic expectations which can lead to a very real sense of anti-climax when you realise that, however nice the view, this is just a job - and a job in an area of industry whose terms and conditions are under sustained, concentrated and indefatigable attack.
You are attempting to join this profession at a time when it is graduating from being a highly specialist occupation, little understood by the outside world and serving a limited, wealthy section of the populace, to one which may become fairly mundane, commonplace and of no great status in the general population. The most costly workers in this industry are the pilots and, with the ever-increasing reliability and automation of the aircraft we operate, combined with the seemingly unlimited supply of cash-rich wannabes, the employers see plenty of opportunities for reducing their overheads and cutting the pilot community down a peg or two at the same time. They, led by Ryanair and similar, would like nothing more than to have this job regarded as no more challenging or remarkable than that of a bus or train driver - and they are working hard to achieve that. It won't be long before there are more pilots in Europe than train drivers...
So, don't be too hard on those who, for whatever reason, tell you that airlines are not for them. There are other, arguably better, options - as I'm sure Redsnail and others will happily remind you!
Scroggs
You are attempting to join this profession at a time when it is graduating from being a highly specialist occupation, little understood by the outside world and serving a limited, wealthy section of the populace, to one which may become fairly mundane, commonplace and of no great status in the general population. The most costly workers in this industry are the pilots and, with the ever-increasing reliability and automation of the aircraft we operate, combined with the seemingly unlimited supply of cash-rich wannabes, the employers see plenty of opportunities for reducing their overheads and cutting the pilot community down a peg or two at the same time. They, led by Ryanair and similar, would like nothing more than to have this job regarded as no more challenging or remarkable than that of a bus or train driver - and they are working hard to achieve that. It won't be long before there are more pilots in Europe than train drivers...
So, don't be too hard on those who, for whatever reason, tell you that airlines are not for them. There are other, arguably better, options - as I'm sure Redsnail and others will happily remind you!
Scroggs
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Really good Post, I had a smile to my face just reading it!
Posts like this help me think whether the blood and sweat is really worth it, but who knows will have to wait and see!
Best of luck!
Posts like this help me think whether the blood and sweat is really worth it, but who knows will have to wait and see!
Best of luck!
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They, led by Ryanair and similar
Ryanair is a sham to pilots in terms of perks, but in terms of pay they match many and better more. Many pilots bring their own food with them anyhow..!
...whether the blood and sweat is really worth it
Dont give up! Fight - steal - beg - borrow...
Last edited by Craggenmore; 29th Apr 2007 at 06:29.
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Yeah it is a good post this one and I'd just like to add that I went into LHR a couple of times yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic. I just loved it! Way better than trail flights in a traumahawk! Being vectored out of the hold at Bovingdon, flying over Wycombe Air Park, then White Waltham where I used to visit. Then lining up for 9L, over Windsor Castle with 'the Long Walk' stretching away on my right, down over the M25 past T5, and that big big runway all to myself for 45 secs! Magic. Then 50 mins later, accelarating to twice the traumahawk cruise speed past the cargo centre where I was once a loader, left over Wembley stadium, Denham, Luton, etc... Came home tired but buzzing. Must have been a bit down when I made my last post!
Good luck to all those trying to make it, keep working hard!
Good luck to all those trying to make it, keep working hard!
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Very inspirational posts by cap3c.
Yes i agree, a wanabe should look into both the positives and the negatives. Even after looking into all the negatives, yes i still do want to be a pilot!!
Good luck to all the fellow wanabees.
Yes i agree, a wanabe should look into both the positives and the negatives. Even after looking into all the negatives, yes i still do want to be a pilot!!
Good luck to all the fellow wanabees.
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Cash rich Wannabees..
Scroggs, whilst I understand some of the sentiment behind your post about "the seemingly unlimited supply of cash-rich wannabes" I cannot help feeling, as a parent (and definitely NOT "cash rich") of an APPFO student at OAT, that there is still a strong feeling out there that people like my son (who has taken out a large loan) are "rich" and perhaps in some way daft for taking this route. The first post in this thread was inspiring, and what I would Like my son to feel on his first trip. He (like probably most airline pilots) has wanted to do this job since he could walk and talk, and he's very lucky he can, healthwise etc. His parents have also had to make considerable sacrifices to allow him to go to what we consider the best FTO and thus hopefully to have the best opportunity to land that first job. Let's give them all the encouragement they all need, eh?
