Deciding which Type rating provider for A320 or 737
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Deciding which Type rating provider for A320 or 737
Ok so ive reached the end of my tether having instructed and now nearing 1000 TT and not getting anywhere with sending out CV's willy nilly. All those loan repayments are chasing me up the rear and im gonna be taking a good beasting soon.
My only hope seems to be going down the SSTR route. the naysayers here are welcome to shoot me down but its all or nothing for me now.
Having done some research online on UK TRTO's, I havent been able to glean much beyond the glitzy hard sell and the negative feedback on Pprune on some of these outfits all seems to be centred around placement issues (I am only interested in doing a bare rating)
I also hear that Ryanair wouldnt take Storm cadets, easyjet wont touch Bond students etc etc.
I only want to do the damn thing and not have my employability handicapped because I chose the wrong training company.
So reputation wise, which JAA TRO would people here recommend for the A320 or 737.
Input much appreciated.
My only hope seems to be going down the SSTR route. the naysayers here are welcome to shoot me down but its all or nothing for me now.
Having done some research online on UK TRTO's, I havent been able to glean much beyond the glitzy hard sell and the negative feedback on Pprune on some of these outfits all seems to be centred around placement issues (I am only interested in doing a bare rating)
I also hear that Ryanair wouldnt take Storm cadets, easyjet wont touch Bond students etc etc.
I only want to do the damn thing and not have my employability handicapped because I chose the wrong training company.
So reputation wise, which JAA TRO would people here recommend for the A320 or 737.
Input much appreciated.
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1000TT? wowo with that kind of hours i would not buy type training but let a company get one for me!
Why arent you interested in:
Lufthansa Cityline?
Luxair?
VLM?
Tyrolean?
And what about SO at CX or Dragon? 1000h qualifies you know.
Why arent you interested in:
Lufthansa Cityline?
Luxair?
VLM?
Tyrolean?
And what about SO at CX or Dragon? 1000h qualifies you know.
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And why is it, time after time after time after time, that guys believe that there are only two aircraft types to type rate on thus creating a critical shortage, a better job placement opportunity, of pilots on any type but the A320 & B737?
Think about it!
Think about it!
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If I had the option, i'd do A320, B757, Dash8 or 737. Those are pretty hot at the moment.
A320 a good choice is GECAT - i've heard good things about them and from what i can gather that have a good track record of finding jobs for people. They can also source base checks for you on type.
The B757 market is slowing a little, in the UK at least. Mainly used by the charter operators they are seeing a lot of consolidation in the market and therefore aren't recruiting. They are replacing with B787 as well. Saying that though there will be an influx of 757's on the market in the next 3 years though I reckon so not such a bad type.
Dash 8 - I only mention that for Flybe. Big expansion plans, and the type is a proven regional aircraft.
B737 seems to be the do-all and end-all of ratings. It really isn't. As Mr Fogg rightly points out, the market is far more diverse. Yes there are a lot of operators with the 737 on the books, but therefore my defination lots of competition for jobs. If you like the look of the 737 though, perhaps try Ryanair - although take a good long look at what you want to get out of them first.
Horgy
P.S. Forgot to mention - personally, i'll probably be looking at 757.
A320 a good choice is GECAT - i've heard good things about them and from what i can gather that have a good track record of finding jobs for people. They can also source base checks for you on type.
The B757 market is slowing a little, in the UK at least. Mainly used by the charter operators they are seeing a lot of consolidation in the market and therefore aren't recruiting. They are replacing with B787 as well. Saying that though there will be an influx of 757's on the market in the next 3 years though I reckon so not such a bad type.
Dash 8 - I only mention that for Flybe. Big expansion plans, and the type is a proven regional aircraft.
B737 seems to be the do-all and end-all of ratings. It really isn't. As Mr Fogg rightly points out, the market is far more diverse. Yes there are a lot of operators with the 737 on the books, but therefore my defination lots of competition for jobs. If you like the look of the 737 though, perhaps try Ryanair - although take a good long look at what you want to get out of them first.
Horgy
P.S. Forgot to mention - personally, i'll probably be looking at 757.
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I wouldn't do anything and keep my cash.
I was looking for a A320 now since 5 months(I have a rating on the 320), and all I got are airlines asking me for 100h-500h on the bus or pay for line training.
too many 320 pilots on this market
.
I was looking for a A320 now since 5 months(I have a rating on the 320), and all I got are airlines asking me for 100h-500h on the bus or pay for line training.
too many 320 pilots on this market
.
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If you've exhausted all other avenues, with your TT, then I would recommend applying to Ryanair. Plenty out there will knock it but I have first hand experience and I can categorically say that it is a fantastic opportunity for low hours/non rated pilots.
The SSTR debate will always attract lots of attention on these forums, but regardless of the rights or wrongs, I would go for it, so long as it is not going to jeopardise your financial security etc.
The problem with just turning up to a TRTO is that there is no guarantee of job placement afterwards, and as has already been mentioned, airlines are unlikely to take you with no hours on type.
I have heard good things about GECAT, including how they may have an airline lined up for you prior to finishing, or certainly assist you once qualified.
Speaking to a fellow colleague the other day who did a 737 rating with Bond....he did mention that the line training (which you can purchase) was a bit of a shambles.
With Ryanair, you know upfront that you will not earn a penny until after your base check, that the first 2 months salary is pretty poor, and that you have to pay for the type rating, food, accomodation and any other expenses. But if you can manage your way through all that, there is a fairly comfy RHS in a 737-800 waiting for you at the end of it, and the training, flying and people are in general very good.
Very best of luck whichever route you decide on.
WTSS
The SSTR debate will always attract lots of attention on these forums, but regardless of the rights or wrongs, I would go for it, so long as it is not going to jeopardise your financial security etc.
The problem with just turning up to a TRTO is that there is no guarantee of job placement afterwards, and as has already been mentioned, airlines are unlikely to take you with no hours on type.
I have heard good things about GECAT, including how they may have an airline lined up for you prior to finishing, or certainly assist you once qualified.
Speaking to a fellow colleague the other day who did a 737 rating with Bond....he did mention that the line training (which you can purchase) was a bit of a shambles.
With Ryanair, you know upfront that you will not earn a penny until after your base check, that the first 2 months salary is pretty poor, and that you have to pay for the type rating, food, accomodation and any other expenses. But if you can manage your way through all that, there is a fairly comfy RHS in a 737-800 waiting for you at the end of it, and the training, flying and people are in general very good.
Very best of luck whichever route you decide on.
WTSS
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no, they don't hire you unless you have 500h.(with no guaranty.Why should they hire you, if someone else is ready to take your place and pay to work?)
150h cost 10'500$
500h=35'000$
and don't forget to pay for housing, food, transport.
I don't recommend anyone to pay for his type, unless you are ready to gamble or have a job contract (paid peanuts).
there are very few openings with airline taking 0 hour pilot(wizzair, aerlingus, Indigo) + type rating, but how many are we? a lot!
this is for the 320, I don't know about other aircrafts.
150h cost 10'500$
500h=35'000$
and don't forget to pay for housing, food, transport.
I don't recommend anyone to pay for his type, unless you are ready to gamble or have a job contract (paid peanuts).
there are very few openings with airline taking 0 hour pilot(wizzair, aerlingus, Indigo) + type rating, but how many are we? a lot!
this is for the 320, I don't know about other aircrafts.
Last edited by dartagnan; 18th Sep 2007 at 11:34.
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I'd disagree with Horgy, I'd avoid the 757 like the plague at the moment, nobody is doing hiring, winter is coming up, and mergers, DHL moving, etc. abound.
Market won't improve for quite a while yet, and then when it does, there are already going to be around 20-30 pilots who opted to go for that type this year and still haven't found a job yet for competition.
Personally I'd opt for an A320 at GECAT, some guys who did it went straight to Aer Lingus.
No guarantees in this industry unless your Godfather is Richard Branson though.
Market won't improve for quite a while yet, and then when it does, there are already going to be around 20-30 pilots who opted to go for that type this year and still haven't found a job yet for competition.
Personally I'd opt for an A320 at GECAT, some guys who did it went straight to Aer Lingus.
No guarantees in this industry unless your Godfather is Richard Branson though.
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lots of people doing the ATR rating at the moment, seems to be lots of jobs on it, ACL/Arann/Aurigny...
i would try to get a job over the next 3months (when airlines recruit) and if nothing by January then do a TR.
It worked for me 2 years ago.
i would try to get a job over the next 3months (when airlines recruit) and if nothing by January then do a TR.
It worked for me 2 years ago.
Educated Hillbilly
What about going to the states and getting 40 hours of p1 multi and applying for air taxi jobs in the UK. Cheaper than getting a type rating and there has been several air taxi companies advertising in the last few months.
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Still 100 hours ME/IFR time building in USA/Canada/South Africa etc is still a damn sight cheaper than a TR. I think a 737 rating is a poor choice in the UK because there are plenty of experienced guys (and girls) on that type.
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I would point out that the B757 is not a type rating by itself, it is a B757/B767type rating and with preferably a differences course between the two included in the training.
The B767, moreso than the B757, is a year round aeroplane, when Europe gets cold the punters still want their holidays in Florida, Caribbean, Far East etc. thus it is not a 'seasonal' aeroplane unlike the shorter haul A320, B737 etc.
The B767, moreso than the B757, is a year round aeroplane, when Europe gets cold the punters still want their holidays in Florida, Caribbean, Far East etc. thus it is not a 'seasonal' aeroplane unlike the shorter haul A320, B737 etc.
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I personally think the SSTR has pretty much had its day. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon, and there are just so many guys out there doing it that it's diluted that particular avenue. I did it, but that was 18 months ago, and i have to be honest the jobs fell into my lap pretty much. I know how lucky i was to be in the right place at the right time. I also know if i had done the same today it would be much more difficult to get a job purely on the amount of people doing it. I suppose the SSTR has become a victim of it's own success.
Last edited by avrodamo; 18th Sep 2007 at 21:45.
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If you are going to pay for a rating - go to FR. You will have a solid job at the end of your type rating. With your hours, also try Netjets etc. A SSTR is a dying horse - no one wants just the rating (unless your willing to live in India), you need hours on type.
Also, rumours floating around at the moment that more consolodation is on the way amongst the tour operators - which will undoubtably meen more high hour pilots hitting the market.
Also, rumours floating around at the moment that more consolodation is on the way amongst the tour operators - which will undoubtably meen more high hour pilots hitting the market.
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I personally think the SSTR has pretty much had its day. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon, and there are just so many guys out there doing it that it's diluted that particular avenue
Can anyone shed some light on how training providers offering the same ratings differ from eachother. How do airline SOP's differ from generic SOP's which is what i presume TRTO's train self sponsored student with?
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My concern with the situation now is that SSTR are not producing the job opportunities they did some 2 to 3 years ago. Where do we go from here? If it's going to become the industry norm to now ask people to pay for 100 hours line training then that is, I feel, quite clearly taking advantage of that individual and beginning to seriously erode the terms and conditions of pilots. If you have paid for all your training and finished it off with a type rating you have done as much as should be asked off you. An airline getting you to then pay for your line training is then just abusing your desperation and frustration of getting a job, and thus saving them money, indeed making them money!
It really would be a sad day in aviation if this came to fruition.
It really would be a sad day in aviation if this came to fruition.
You'd be absolutely nuts NOT to do an ATR type rating. If its a first airline job you want.
Good luck,
WWW
Good luck,
WWW