Pilot's Assistant in 2012
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Pilot's Assistant in 2012
I was wondering, do Pilot's Assistants exist in this day and age?
I'm currently in my second year of A levels, with an upcoming PPL and I would love an opportunity such as this once I have left 6th form.
I'm currently in my second year of A levels, with an upcoming PPL and I would love an opportunity such as this once I have left 6th form.
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Why do glider pilots constantly feel the need to go on about how gliding makes you a better pilot. Arguably almost all flying makes you a better pilot provided you're not boring holes in the sky mindlessly picking up bad habits.
Gliding is great, I've done a bit, but it's not for everyone and there are plenty of ways to improve your handling skills with an engine in front of you too. I also can't see how gliding helps much towards a commercial career, which is essentially what this bit of the forum is about.
Get relevant hours in your book that count towards your licence, have fun doing it and keep your mind on continually bettering yourself.
Gliding is great, I've done a bit, but it's not for everyone and there are plenty of ways to improve your handling skills with an engine in front of you too. I also can't see how gliding helps much towards a commercial career, which is essentially what this bit of the forum is about.
Get relevant hours in your book that count towards your licence, have fun doing it and keep your mind on continually bettering yourself.
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Done glider flying in the 1980's, I hated it!
There is little correlation between the ability to land a double engine failure in a 777 and the ability to fly a purpose built glider down to the field! My opinion of course.
If you want good handling technique including the necessity to use the rudder, fly helicopters.
There is little correlation between the ability to land a double engine failure in a 777 and the ability to fly a purpose built glider down to the field! My opinion of course.
If you want good handling technique including the necessity to use the rudder, fly helicopters.
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Okay, interesting replies.
So does any one know if becoming a pilots assistant is even possible?
I will look into glider towing, and want to have a go at gliding in the next few years. Helicopters.. maybe if I pluck up the courage
So does any one know if becoming a pilots assistant is even possible?
I will look into glider towing, and want to have a go at gliding in the next few years. Helicopters.. maybe if I pluck up the courage
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I also can't see how gliding helps much towards a commercial career...
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Done glider flying in the 1980's, I hated it!
There is little correlation between the ability to land a double engine failure in a 777 and the ability to fly a purpose built glider down to the field! My opinion of course.
If you want good handling technique including the necessity to use the rudder, fly helicopters.
There is little correlation between the ability to land a double engine failure in a 777 and the ability to fly a purpose built glider down to the field! My opinion of course.
If you want good handling technique including the necessity to use the rudder, fly helicopters.
And with regards to landing an airliner with full loss of power. Well, I will say this: if you learn the correct things from gliding, you WILL be able to apply them to anything.
This is IMO. I think plenty will agree, and perhaps plenty will disagree. Although IIRC there have been a number of incidents in the past where gliding experience has helped (and arguably saved the lives of many). Gimli Glider was a good example of just that. Whether or not the Captain's gliding hours have helped is open to debate, but a large number of people think it has.
I am not saying that gliding experience automatically gives you the ability to save the day. No it does not. It gives you a slight edge because you will learn how to manage energy better (if you do), and by advantage it may be anything from 0.5% to 20%.
Why do glider pilots constantly feel the need to go on about how gliding makes you a better pilot. Arguably almost all flying makes you a better pilot provided you're not boring holes in the sky mindlessly picking up bad habits.
Gliding is great, I've done a bit, but it's not for everyone and there are plenty of ways to improve your handling skills with an engine in front of you too. I also can't see how gliding helps much towards a commercial career, which is essentially what this bit of the forum is about.
Get relevant hours in your book that count towards your licence, have fun doing it and keep your mind on continually bettering yourself.
Gliding is great, I've done a bit, but it's not for everyone and there are plenty of ways to improve your handling skills with an engine in front of you too. I also can't see how gliding helps much towards a commercial career, which is essentially what this bit of the forum is about.
Get relevant hours in your book that count towards your licence, have fun doing it and keep your mind on continually bettering yourself.
Flying props is much more relevant to becoming a commercial pilot - I agree. But there are very very VERY few piston aircraft that will teach you about flying as much as gliders will. And by "flying" I mean actual stick and rudder flying.
And you can also do aerobatics and spins in a glider for a fraction of the cost of a Decathlon, never mind a Pitts or an Extra. And even if you think that gliding on its own doesn't make you a better pilot, aerobatics do. And there is definitely no argument there. Just depends what you decide to take away from the experience.
Also, I hadn't suggested that the OP does gliding as a means of achieving a CPL. As you can see that was not his question. I have just suggested this, as opposed to being a "pilot assistant" - a role that doesn't actually exist. So my point is - if you want to learn about what flying is - go fly some gliders.
Of course you will need some good prop experience! I am by no means saying that gliding is any kind of replacement for props. But IMO it will greatly add to your ability and it will make you a better pilot.
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 17th Oct 2012 at 17:54.
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Buddy of mine, a well experienced glider jock, landed his first paid flying job on a taildragger. Company was specifically asking for glider or taildragger experience.
Never again have I come across a guy in the cockpit matching my buddy's aircraft handling skills.
Never again have I come across a guy in the cockpit matching my buddy's aircraft handling skills.
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Suspected thread hijack in progress...
Mikeoscar, you might want to check this out:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FOD201021.pdf
FODCOM 21/10 | Publications | About the CAA
Unless you are fully licenced, LPC'd, OPC'd, with security courses and fully enrolled employee of a company, I'm afraid you're out of luck. PA's on board a commercial operation are now a no no in the eyes of the CAA.
However if you can get yourself known at a local GA airport with some based King Airs etc you may get a ride in a privately owned twin of some kind. You will not be part of the crew from a legal perspective but if you can get the experience it will be well worth it, especially if you become a regular passenger up front.
Mikeoscar, you might want to check this out:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FOD201021.pdf
FODCOM 21/10 | Publications | About the CAA
Unless you are fully licenced, LPC'd, OPC'd, with security courses and fully enrolled employee of a company, I'm afraid you're out of luck. PA's on board a commercial operation are now a no no in the eyes of the CAA.
However if you can get yourself known at a local GA airport with some based King Airs etc you may get a ride in a privately owned twin of some kind. You will not be part of the crew from a legal perspective but if you can get the experience it will be well worth it, especially if you become a regular passenger up front.
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hingey, unless he is good friends with someone in the cockpit, it's hard to imagine how you can end up in a jump seat or normal seat as a passenger in any aircraft without paying for the privilege.
Otherwise, I would be round to every airport I know to get free rides!
However, going round there an investigating is always a good start. Maybe you can meet someone that is willing to at least take you round to have a look at all the aircraft and stuff.
Otherwise, I would be round to every airport I know to get free rides!
However, going round there an investigating is always a good start. Maybe you can meet someone that is willing to at least take you round to have a look at all the aircraft and stuff.
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Can Anyone Help?
Hi guys/girls.
I have gained my CPL/IR and have completed an MCC and CRM course. Everything I need, but no job! Ive been looking for 8 months now!
I live in Essex but am willing to re-locate anywhere in the UK for work.
It seems every airline requires experience but no one is willing to give it to you
.
I have applied to every airline and small flying company I can find of think of. 99.9% of which don't even reply.
I am looking for any advice anyone has to offer. It will me massively appreciated.
Thanks.....
I have gained my CPL/IR and have completed an MCC and CRM course. Everything I need, but no job! Ive been looking for 8 months now!
I live in Essex but am willing to re-locate anywhere in the UK for work.
It seems every airline requires experience but no one is willing to give it to you
.I have applied to every airline and small flying company I can find of think of. 99.9% of which don't even reply.
I am looking for any advice anyone has to offer. It will me massively appreciated.
Thanks.....
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PA's do exist and fly for some companies like capital avaition as clipboard pilots on air amb flights , they have no repsonsibilities whatsoever other than to land the aircraft in the event the capt cannot . They are fully OPC'd and LPC'd but do not fly the aircraft at all with the exception of empty sectors .
The aviation industry is full of "our skills are better than yours " type folk , bollocks ! glider pilts have skills , powered pilots have skills they are all different but all will assist in overall airmanship but The phrase " Stick and rudder" is overused and is mostly out of context. You can be the greatest glider pilot in the world with all the stick and rudder ability there is , but sit one in the right seat of a PA31 and fail an engine and see what happens . Its all relative to the flying you do , but it is all experience and any experience is good experience . Go find an aspect of flying you enjoy and do just that . relish the fact you can do it . I have been gliding many times but for the thrill of a winch launch which is an awesome event the rest of it is by the by to me but thats my thing ,
Enjoy what you fly no matter what it is
The aviation industry is full of "our skills are better than yours " type folk , bollocks ! glider pilts have skills , powered pilots have skills they are all different but all will assist in overall airmanship but The phrase " Stick and rudder" is overused and is mostly out of context. You can be the greatest glider pilot in the world with all the stick and rudder ability there is , but sit one in the right seat of a PA31 and fail an engine and see what happens . Its all relative to the flying you do , but it is all experience and any experience is good experience . Go find an aspect of flying you enjoy and do just that . relish the fact you can do it . I have been gliding many times but for the thrill of a winch launch which is an awesome event the rest of it is by the by to me but thats my thing ,
Enjoy what you fly no matter what it is
With regards to your comment on gliding, there are things there that I agree with, and some which I respectfully disagree with. One thing is for sure though - the more diverse experience you gain, the better. That will never be in dispute
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 18th Oct 2012 at 23:34.
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Pilot's Assistant in 2012
Thankyou everyone for your replies.
Like I said, I'm just a student PPL with 40 hours and in my 2nd year of A levels so ANY EXPERIENCE is good experience ;-)
Mike
Like I said, I'm just a student PPL with 40 hours and in my 2nd year of A levels so ANY EXPERIENCE is good experience ;-)
Mike
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Bearcat,
When I was a CPL student, we would often get rides in a orivately owned Chieftain. I regularly take PPL holders up front in the King Air I fly just for the experience and I know of a CJ driver who does the same. Anyone who is a good egg and/ or aspiring professional pilot I try to get them along. Of course it helps when the owner isn't up tight about such things.
There are very few companies which recruit PAs these days. If someone is LPC'd, fully licensed and qualified on type, are they really a PA? Surely they would be part of the crew? The CAA says that PAs are not crew (see my earlier post). If the aircraft is single pilot aircraft it must be stipulated in the ops manual that the aircraft is operated multi crew.
When I was a CPL student, we would often get rides in a orivately owned Chieftain. I regularly take PPL holders up front in the King Air I fly just for the experience and I know of a CJ driver who does the same. Anyone who is a good egg and/ or aspiring professional pilot I try to get them along. Of course it helps when the owner isn't up tight about such things.
There are very few companies which recruit PAs these days. If someone is LPC'd, fully licensed and qualified on type, are they really a PA? Surely they would be part of the crew? The CAA says that PAs are not crew (see my earlier post). If the aircraft is single pilot aircraft it must be stipulated in the ops manual that the aircraft is operated multi crew.
Last edited by hingey; 20th Oct 2012 at 08:26.
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maxdrypower, do you work for Capital or have you worked for them; also do you know if Capital are currenty using pilots assistants?
I understand that Capital have been advised in no uncertain terms that there is no such things as pilots assistants. If anyone has a role, such as landing the aircraft if the pilot becomes incapacitated, then they must be properly qualified as a pilot as part of a multi pilot crew. If not then they are just a passenger; they may assist on the ground but cannot carry out any safety related duties. They are not even allowed to brief passengers.
With regard to NHS contracts; if Captial are giving the impression of having two pilots to secure contracts even though they do not have multi pilot crews then I am sure that the CAA Aviation Regulation Enforcement department will be very interested.
I understand that Capital have been advised in no uncertain terms that there is no such things as pilots assistants. If anyone has a role, such as landing the aircraft if the pilot becomes incapacitated, then they must be properly qualified as a pilot as part of a multi pilot crew. If not then they are just a passenger; they may assist on the ground but cannot carry out any safety related duties. They are not even allowed to brief passengers.
With regard to NHS contracts; if Captial are giving the impression of having two pilots to secure contracts even though they do not have multi pilot crews then I am sure that the CAA Aviation Regulation Enforcement department will be very interested.
