Please Help!! Africa or TR+Hours
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Please Help!! Africa or TR+Hours
Dear Peers,
As some of you maybe aware from my diaries that i have recently completed my JAA CPL/ME/IR/MCC. I have come to a point where i have sent out over 1500 cover letters and CV's. And only had at best a 100 replies saying what i had expected "Thanks but not recruiting" or " not enough experience". I have also sent out over 500 CV's for engineering but again the same responce.
So i am trying to think out of the box and require some advice, I am thinking about grabbing a bag and going to Africa and knocking on peoples doors. Or paying for a TR + hours on a SAAB 340. I know i should go for a A320/B737 but dont have that much funds.
So please advice as i am starting to get under my familes feet and need to get employed again ASAP.
I dont wish this thread to turn out to be "pay or not to pay TR" thread.
I dont have any loans on my head as i used my own funds to Train.
So again please could you help with what you would do if you were in my shoes, and also where would you go in Africa and who's doors would you knock on??
Many thanks in advance!!!
As some of you maybe aware from my diaries that i have recently completed my JAA CPL/ME/IR/MCC. I have come to a point where i have sent out over 1500 cover letters and CV's. And only had at best a 100 replies saying what i had expected "Thanks but not recruiting" or " not enough experience". I have also sent out over 500 CV's for engineering but again the same responce.
So i am trying to think out of the box and require some advice, I am thinking about grabbing a bag and going to Africa and knocking on peoples doors. Or paying for a TR + hours on a SAAB 340. I know i should go for a A320/B737 but dont have that much funds.
So please advice as i am starting to get under my familes feet and need to get employed again ASAP.
I dont wish this thread to turn out to be "pay or not to pay TR" thread.
I dont have any loans on my head as i used my own funds to Train.
So again please could you help with what you would do if you were in my shoes, and also where would you go in Africa and who's doors would you knock on??
Many thanks in advance!!!
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I am a rotary pilot-not really experienced in fixed wing, but i guess the problem is the same....
Economic crisis worldwide brought down aviation.....
A lot of pilots are looking for jobs-with fewer companies looking for pilots, they can choose the best ones....that means they pick the youngest ones, who have the most flying hours....
Before the crisis, it was easy for a helicopter pilot with-lets say 1500 hours- to find a job.....
Nowadays, it is really hard to find a job with 3000 hours.....
Things will improve, i guess.....but it will take time...
I donīt think that it is useful to spent money getting a TR without having a real chance for occupation afterwards...
Economic crisis worldwide brought down aviation.....
A lot of pilots are looking for jobs-with fewer companies looking for pilots, they can choose the best ones....that means they pick the youngest ones, who have the most flying hours....
Before the crisis, it was easy for a helicopter pilot with-lets say 1500 hours- to find a job.....
Nowadays, it is really hard to find a job with 3000 hours.....
Things will improve, i guess.....but it will take time...
I donīt think that it is useful to spent money getting a TR without having a real chance for occupation afterwards...
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I think you know the answer to a speculative T/R and line hours, anyone with an ounce of common sense could advise you on that.
As for heading South have a read through the following threads, tons of info contained within.
http://www.pprune.org/interviews-job...n-172-job.html
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...10-season.html
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...09-season.html
As for heading South have a read through the following threads, tons of info contained within.
http://www.pprune.org/interviews-job...n-172-job.html
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...10-season.html
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...09-season.html
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IMHO, only go to Africa if you really want to go to Africa not just to use it to get hours. Africa can be really hard to live in if you do not have the I would like to experience it attitude.
There are loads of guys who hate it the whole time they are there because all they want is to be an airline pilot from day one. It makes it hard for them and for the people around them. I loved it and want to go back and get some more, soon. Also remember Africa has also had a credit crunch so there are many experienced bush pilots knocking around for a job who generally will be ahead of you in terms of getting employed.
I can't really comment on the buying the TR, I would not do it and I suspect it will not help you in the next few years as there are thousands of experienced type rated pilots waiting for that job.
There are loads of guys who hate it the whole time they are there because all they want is to be an airline pilot from day one. It makes it hard for them and for the people around them. I loved it and want to go back and get some more, soon. Also remember Africa has also had a credit crunch so there are many experienced bush pilots knocking around for a job who generally will be ahead of you in terms of getting employed.
I can't really comment on the buying the TR, I would not do it and I suspect it will not help you in the next few years as there are thousands of experienced type rated pilots waiting for that job.
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The old way....
Why not get an Instructors rating...? Do it part time as it hardly ever pays and wait for the market to improve?? Quite a lot of us did that the last time around and whilst instructing made enough contacts to get in to ferry, private ops, etc to keep the hours and experience levels going.
Also, if you have the time and determination to write so many letters then have you considered a road trip? Go knock on some doors, despite the majority probably telling you not to (me included up to a few months ago...) I've now heard of a number of guys who were rewarded for their initiative.
Sorry there's no magic bullet but try everything before going down that dark and disgraceful path of buying a job.
Good luck Kash.
Also, if you have the time and determination to write so many letters then have you considered a road trip? Go knock on some doors, despite the majority probably telling you not to (me included up to a few months ago...) I've now heard of a number of guys who were rewarded for their initiative.
Sorry there's no magic bullet but try everything before going down that dark and disgraceful path of buying a job.
Good luck Kash.
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Thank you so much for all your help and advice. I was thinking about a instructors rating however think I would stumble across the same problems if finding a job. I was thinking of heading down to Africa to get some experience. I am not looking to go straight into an airline but wouldn't mind if I were given it on a plate.
I think I may head down to Africa in January for a few months. If anybody has any contacts down there, it would be much appriciated.
Many thanks in advacnce!!!
I think I may head down to Africa in January for a few months. If anybody has any contacts down there, it would be much appriciated.
Many thanks in advacnce!!!
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High kash from Ghana
Hi from Ghana,I have just read your post and maybe my experience helps you out a bit ......
first of all YES I paid for my TR , but I could not find a job in 2 years after that either, so I had to renew it at a cost of 3000Euros each time ,so not only you have to pay for it but take into consideration to renew it every year ...... ,because after you get your TR ,they will ask you for some hours on type to secure the job, it may not be enough either after all your effort and do well on the course .....If I were you I would gather as much information as posible through this forum and others ,and then decide whether to fly over to Africa and find a job to get some hours on small a/c,and then get the TR ,or get the TR and luckily get a job .
I went to D Republic in 2002 got some hours and then paid for ATR TR,then after 2 years of getting it and 2 hours a day on internetevery day, here and some other forums ,someone gave me the chance to fly the ATR in ghana , where I am now since April 2009,no regrets at all about having paid for it,but it was a long way and not cheap I must say .
anyway ,dont focus yourself on a specific TR just because you like the a/c , find the opportunity and then pay whatever a/c the company flies ., last week here in Ghana they hired 3 guys with low experience to fly a 727 for allied air cargo but you have to be THERE and be lucky .
thanks ,and good luck
first of all YES I paid for my TR , but I could not find a job in 2 years after that either, so I had to renew it at a cost of 3000Euros each time ,so not only you have to pay for it but take into consideration to renew it every year ...... ,because after you get your TR ,they will ask you for some hours on type to secure the job, it may not be enough either after all your effort and do well on the course .....If I were you I would gather as much information as posible through this forum and others ,and then decide whether to fly over to Africa and find a job to get some hours on small a/c,and then get the TR ,or get the TR and luckily get a job .
I went to D Republic in 2002 got some hours and then paid for ATR TR,then after 2 years of getting it and 2 hours a day on internetevery day, here and some other forums ,someone gave me the chance to fly the ATR in ghana , where I am now since April 2009,no regrets at all about having paid for it,but it was a long way and not cheap I must say .
anyway ,dont focus yourself on a specific TR just because you like the a/c , find the opportunity and then pay whatever a/c the company flies ., last week here in Ghana they hired 3 guys with low experience to fly a 727 for allied air cargo but you have to be THERE and be lucky .
thanks ,and good luck
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just thought i would let you know that i no someone whos recently done a TR on a A320 with +500 hours.
managed to get the 500 hours nearly a year later.
but a big but
the company who he did his line training didn't offer him a job a the end of the 500 hours!!! (wizz air)
eeeeeeeek !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOUR SHORT OF MONEY REMEMBER IF YOU DO A TYPE RATING it may over run and there still no job, unless the company says otherwise!!!
also check to make sure if you need to do any conervisions in africa for your JAA licence..
managed to get the 500 hours nearly a year later.
but a big but
the company who he did his line training didn't offer him a job a the end of the 500 hours!!! (wizz air)
eeeeeeeek !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOUR SHORT OF MONEY REMEMBER IF YOU DO A TYPE RATING it may over run and there still no job, unless the company says otherwise!!!
also check to make sure if you need to do any conervisions in africa for your JAA licence..
?
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i was trying to get a job in a business jet company.
same position maybe like yourself low hours needing just to get a step in the door.
the problem that i found is it was on a Cessna Citation aircraft. right and they want a 1000 hrs min + 500 on type and the co-pilot where paying them to keep there rating up at the moment!!!
so, i and maybe yourself wouldn't have a chance.
if they the company who you choose to work for is a mini airline then there maybe some line training.. that size aircraft it will be the company choice to do some or not..
BA, i think used to do line training on the SAB aircraft when doing island hopping in scotland.
may need to double check tho....
same position maybe like yourself low hours needing just to get a step in the door.
the problem that i found is it was on a Cessna Citation aircraft. right and they want a 1000 hrs min + 500 on type and the co-pilot where paying them to keep there rating up at the moment!!!
so, i and maybe yourself wouldn't have a chance.
if they the company who you choose to work for is a mini airline then there maybe some line training.. that size aircraft it will be the company choice to do some or not..
BA, i think used to do line training on the SAB aircraft when doing island hopping in scotland.
may need to double check tho....
