Is it worth to invest in type rating?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Given the bad employment situation I"ll say wait. It's time for starting career now, building hours etc, as aviation is always cyclic. But do yourself and others a favor and don't do TR or fly 4 free, consider only paying for anything once you're tyde with a job, and even then think at least rationally how long will it take to get this "investment" back, as you would otherwise...
cheers!
cheers!
Join Date: Apr 2007
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As an FO with a B737 rating and just under 500hrs on type who can't get a job I think you'd be making a big mistake buying a rating. As 4star said there are far too many of us about and the vast majority will be more experienced.
I did look at buying time on type through eagle jet to try and bump myself up the ladder a bit. However a friend at a major airline asked their head of recruitment if he thought it was a good idea and the answer came back as a resounding no. He went as far as to say that because it was paid for some airlines might not even consider it 'airline' flying.
Just my opinion from my own experiences and information others have given me.
Good luck with the job hunt.
I did look at buying time on type through eagle jet to try and bump myself up the ladder a bit. However a friend at a major airline asked their head of recruitment if he thought it was a good idea and the answer came back as a resounding no. He went as far as to say that because it was paid for some airlines might not even consider it 'airline' flying.
Just my opinion from my own experiences and information others have given me.
Good luck with the job hunt.
If you spend money on a speculative jet type rating at the moment you would be a mental.
Is that too ambiguous?
WWW
Is that too ambiguous?
WWW
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK, Paris, Peckham, New York
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WWW -has hit the nail on head, have you not seen the news this week. Another 100 or so qualified guys and gals on the market, thats another 100 or so people in front of you in the queue.
If you want to get a type rating, make sure the a/c type you choose has big windows, so you can lick them, you mentalist.
If you want to get a type rating, make sure the a/c type you choose has big windows, so you can lick them, you mentalist.
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Even though I am a TRI, 737 and A320, I would have to say in todays climate it would be very unwise to invest in a SSTR... unless.... You are doing it with an airline as part of thier recruitment process and where you can have continuous assessment. The back log of line training, especially on A320 is an issue for concern, many Line training providers continue to sell products that will not happen within the next 6 months, if at all, there are heaps of guys out there with 300 hrs and nowhere to go, notwithstanding the 1000hr plus guys in the same boat. Ok, if you want to go to China and meet the requirements, that's another issue, but working in Europe...very slim chance. CTC have guys waiting on the flexi crew contracts, there are ex BMI 150 hr scheme guys waiting, hoping for things to improve, EagleJet guys waiting for Wizz and Lion Air, a queue at RAM.. Save your money. Remember, if you haven't flown the type for 6 months, you are not " recent" according to the recruitment guys, you will have to pay for your own LPC after 12 Months..and unless you have 1500TT you probably won't get a look in at agency work.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Journey Man is quite correct in his assertion that the 757 / 767 type rating is now the way ahead for a SSTR.
It's about the only place a wannabe can land a job armed with just the Type and no line hours.
Alternatively, I understand EZY have launched an excellent scheme to bring some new tallent into the industry. Superb chance for the lucky few.
It's about the only place a wannabe can land a job armed with just the Type and no line hours.
Alternatively, I understand EZY have launched an excellent scheme to bring some new tallent into the industry. Superb chance for the lucky few.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Buying a biz jet rating is even more retarded (excuse me!) than buying an airliner rating.
Bizav is all about who you know.
If you're friends with a chief pilot he could put you in the right hand seat of a Citation right away (with your TR being paid!!).
Bizav is all about who you know. (see a pattern?)
You can be the God damn best pilot in the country with 15,000 hrs and may still not get a bizav job.
Bizav is all about who you know. (.....................)
Bizav is all about who you know.
If you're friends with a chief pilot he could put you in the right hand seat of a Citation right away (with your TR being paid!!).
Bizav is all about who you know. (see a pattern?)
You can be the God damn best pilot in the country with 15,000 hrs and may still not get a bizav job.
Bizav is all about who you know. (.....................)
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Maybe the hardest thing for young pilot like me with JAA CPL ME/IR, ATPL frozen and 300hrs piston total time with some 20 hrs on multi is to find any job on JET aircrafts.
In our airline you need 2000hrs min to even get an interview to fly a jet. Guys that do all have 1000hrs plus turbine/jet time with ATPL's. No one has ever paid to fly for us and never will.
Why is it that in the UK/Europe fresh green graduates believe it is their right of passage to jump straight on a jet. Learn to fly first, then you may know what you are doing. I feel sorry for Captains having to fly with these guys. Single pilot IFR in a jet must be a long day.
You can't buy experience.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Rather than wasting your money why not focus your efforts on keeping yourself current and getting a job. I am willing to bet that someone here got a job this week somewhere even though the entire industry is bleak at best.
Maybe they got onto one of the few "sponsorships" going. Or perhaps they were recommended by their flight school and put forward for interview. They might have shone on the MCC course and been asked to pop in for a "chat" by their instructor who just happens to fly commercially and is in need of someone to fill a hole at short notice. Maybe they hung around at the flying club after hours, brought a few beers and got to know a few people. This might have lead to offers of some free jump seat rides to see what its really like to operate commercially. Perhaps this lead to a safety pilot role doing the radios and keeping the insurance company happy. Maybe they got offered a position as an instructor at the club subject to successfully passing the course.
Who knows how they did it. Each person has their own way and a quick search will throw up any number of threads of how people did it. But I would hazard a guess that someone who can display the sort of get up and go to get themselves out and about would stand a better chance than someone willing to fork out a fortune on a type rating and hours. I can assure you that having "Eagle Jet" on your CV is hardly going to be seen as an asset to a quality operator. But then if your willing to risk your life and fly anything and everything for a dodgy outfit then maybe they will scoop you up regardless of what you have on your CV.
The trick for you is to pull finger, develop your network and get out there. If you have the right attributes and are willing to put in the effort then you will find a job eventually. Good luck.
Maybe they got onto one of the few "sponsorships" going. Or perhaps they were recommended by their flight school and put forward for interview. They might have shone on the MCC course and been asked to pop in for a "chat" by their instructor who just happens to fly commercially and is in need of someone to fill a hole at short notice. Maybe they hung around at the flying club after hours, brought a few beers and got to know a few people. This might have lead to offers of some free jump seat rides to see what its really like to operate commercially. Perhaps this lead to a safety pilot role doing the radios and keeping the insurance company happy. Maybe they got offered a position as an instructor at the club subject to successfully passing the course.
Who knows how they did it. Each person has their own way and a quick search will throw up any number of threads of how people did it. But I would hazard a guess that someone who can display the sort of get up and go to get themselves out and about would stand a better chance than someone willing to fork out a fortune on a type rating and hours. I can assure you that having "Eagle Jet" on your CV is hardly going to be seen as an asset to a quality operator. But then if your willing to risk your life and fly anything and everything for a dodgy outfit then maybe they will scoop you up regardless of what you have on your CV.
The trick for you is to pull finger, develop your network and get out there. If you have the right attributes and are willing to put in the effort then you will find a job eventually. Good luck.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Man up. Go to Africa, get a job by showing how keen you are. Impress with your skills as a pilot once you have that job. Earn respect by operating safely and efficiently. Get some experience and work your way up the ladder. Thats how we did it in the old days.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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UAV689
If you want to get a type rating, make sure the a/c type you choose has big windows, so you can lick them, you mentalist.
Mimimum wage.
I feel sorry for Captains having to fly with these guys. Single pilot IFR in a jet must be a long day.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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dont do it
Hold your nerve, work your ticket. Times are grim now, but there are always opportunities if you look hard enough. Things will improve, it has always been like this, feast, then famine.
Do not be tempted to buy a job. You have to remember that very often the pilot recruitment process is started by other pilots, long before an interview is offered, my airline, and I know of two others will simply slip your CV into the bin if there is the mearest wiff of Ryanair. You have to understand the depth of loathing that has been created, and no amount of pleading that you had no choice, will cut any ice.
Do not be tempted to buy a job. You have to remember that very often the pilot recruitment process is started by other pilots, long before an interview is offered, my airline, and I know of two others will simply slip your CV into the bin if there is the mearest wiff of Ryanair. You have to understand the depth of loathing that has been created, and no amount of pleading that you had no choice, will cut any ice.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Don't even think about it!
I have 450 hrs TT of which 223 on an Airbus. Thomas Cook/Alteon took my £32k and yet it didn't turn into a job with them at the end. I'm 45, which was ridiculously late to go for a jet job, but even at half that age it's tricky.
I now don't own a single brick in my house. Mate it's not a good position to be in. I have had to take the philosophical view, enjoy the fact that I flew a big fat jet for a bit.
I'd say get into politics...be an MP....any eejit can do it and there's still plenty of money in that.
Aviation's obsession with SSTRs is utterly immoral. It stinks to high heaven. If only I hadn't been so blinded by the romance of jets!
Birky
I have 450 hrs TT of which 223 on an Airbus. Thomas Cook/Alteon took my £32k and yet it didn't turn into a job with them at the end. I'm 45, which was ridiculously late to go for a jet job, but even at half that age it's tricky.
I now don't own a single brick in my house. Mate it's not a good position to be in. I have had to take the philosophical view, enjoy the fact that I flew a big fat jet for a bit.
I'd say get into politics...be an MP....any eejit can do it and there's still plenty of money in that.
Aviation's obsession with SSTRs is utterly immoral. It stinks to high heaven. If only I hadn't been so blinded by the romance of jets!
Birky
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Just Stop Paying For It !
TR's and Line Training were designed for employees to be paid for by the company that takes them on. A bonding agreement kept the system fair.
Now STRSS/TRSS and PTF are destroying the profession. The CAA SRG and FAA are looking into this loophole that has exploited hundreds of wannabee pilots. TRs were never there for pleasure seekers or Pay to Fly gullable folk.
Do not pay for a TR (self selection is never a good sign to an interview panel) and be very wary even if you passed interviews with a LoCo and got offered TRSS/STRSS - you are NOT an employee until you pass LST or in some cases have passed Line Check.
Now STRSS/TRSS and PTF are destroying the profession. The CAA SRG and FAA are looking into this loophole that has exploited hundreds of wannabee pilots. TRs were never there for pleasure seekers or Pay to Fly gullable folk.
Do not pay for a TR (self selection is never a good sign to an interview panel) and be very wary even if you passed interviews with a LoCo and got offered TRSS/STRSS - you are NOT an employee until you pass LST or in some cases have passed Line Check.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Type-ratings renewals every 12 months, how much do they cost?
I would head for a FI license because there will always be enough naive people ready to get raped off their money to push a few buttons and levers in a claustrophobically small room.
It' s the only sector in aviation that has maintained a steady growth through the financial crisis.
I would head for a FI license because there will always be enough naive people ready to get raped off their money to push a few buttons and levers in a claustrophobically small room.
It' s the only sector in aviation that has maintained a steady growth through the financial crisis.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I know a load of guys are going down the route of paying for FI rating, thinking a good idea to keep your hand in etc.etc..
However, I also know these same guys are so desperate to keep getting the hours they are working for less and less money. I also know one guy who offered to work for free, sure there are many more.
Im old school and believe FI is and should be a career in its self, not "ill do it until something else better comes along" attitude. This will only undervalue the guys who want to make it a long term career.
FAA, CAA SRG or not, they'll never do anything, they'll never piss the businesses off like Oxford CTC. Never.
Sad but true.
However, I also know these same guys are so desperate to keep getting the hours they are working for less and less money. I also know one guy who offered to work for free, sure there are many more.
Im old school and believe FI is and should be a career in its self, not "ill do it until something else better comes along" attitude. This will only undervalue the guys who want to make it a long term career.
FAA, CAA SRG or not, they'll never do anything, they'll never piss the businesses off like Oxford CTC. Never.
Sad but true.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Eventually the FI market will get flooded too, it' s only a matter of time.
I would prefer to see people spend 5K on a FI course than 30K on a TR.
As an FI, aside from the money-earning aspect, you become a better, safer pilot and get to know yourself alot better (as a pilot).
A TR doesn' t make you a safer pilot, you just stuff your brain with (potentially useless) information, learn to fly a 5 by 5 box on a computer screen and stuff your TR school' s pockets with money.
FI as a career:
Career FI' s can be better or worse. I' ve seen some very good ones that would fly circles over the best non-career FI but I' ve seen some bad/arrogant ones who have gotten students injured (not only morally) due to their bad decisions and/or lack of humility.
As a general rule of thumb, non-career FI' s tend to focus more on airline-like aircraft operations, career FI' s will tell you all about how to fly a Cessna and all the way up to a Mooney or a Seneca but will not talk about how they relate to a jet.
Point being, FI is not necessarily only a career thing IMO.
I would prefer to see people spend 5K on a FI course than 30K on a TR.
As an FI, aside from the money-earning aspect, you become a better, safer pilot and get to know yourself alot better (as a pilot).
A TR doesn' t make you a safer pilot, you just stuff your brain with (potentially useless) information, learn to fly a 5 by 5 box on a computer screen and stuff your TR school' s pockets with money.
FI as a career:
Career FI' s can be better or worse. I' ve seen some very good ones that would fly circles over the best non-career FI but I' ve seen some bad/arrogant ones who have gotten students injured (not only morally) due to their bad decisions and/or lack of humility.
As a general rule of thumb, non-career FI' s tend to focus more on airline-like aircraft operations, career FI' s will tell you all about how to fly a Cessna and all the way up to a Mooney or a Seneca but will not talk about how they relate to a jet.
Point being, FI is not necessarily only a career thing IMO.
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I have the same thing like Mr. ZOOOM
I am a pilot CPL/IR/ME 300 Flying Hours typed on C-152,C-172 and PIPER PA34-200.
I got the same problem exactly.
too many Idea, Ways...... But what is the solutions?!!!!!!!
I am a pilot CPL/IR/ME 300 Flying Hours typed on C-152,C-172 and PIPER PA34-200.
I got the same problem exactly.
too many Idea, Ways...... But what is the solutions?!!!!!!!