Pilot Funds and Hours

[OfficialLiovo]

Hi,

I'm thinking about becoming a commercial pilot in a few years. I have a few problems. Firstly, Ryanair require 800HRS on the B737, 1000HRS on a CS25 type aircraft (what is this?), and minimum 1200HRS flying time, and that's just for a F/O! My problem is, how am I supposed to get these hours if Ryanair is my first pilot job?

Secondly, money, the worst part of everything. I don't understand how I am going to get nearly £100,000 in a space of about 10 years. I'm not willing to go through that TINY gap, to get into the military. I'm also not willing to get a job that I don't want, to earn the money.

Also, on RYR's requirements to become an F/O, it doesn't say you need a PPL. Finally, what is the EASA Part FCL?

[gbotley]

Ryanair require 800HRS on the B737, 1000HRS on a CS25 type aircraft (what is this?), and minimum 1200HRS flying time, and that's just for a F/O! My problem is, how am I supposed to get these hours if Ryanair is my first pilot job?

These will be the requirements for a qualified pilot. Ryanair do also hire new pilots with low hours through their recruitment partners of which are listed on their website. A lot of Ryanair low-hour entrants are either from a modular background or have trained at an integrated school such as CTC Aviation, Oxford Aviation, FTE Jerez, Baltic Aviation Academy, etc to name a few - there are many others.

A CS25 is the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) term given to larger types of aircraft. All aircraft over a certain mass fall in to this group - the B737 being one of those.

I don't understand how I am going to get nearly £100,000 in a space of about 10 years.

Pretty much everyone's barrier with aviation to be honest. There are options available though. BBVA bank will offer loans to trainees going through their selected partner schools of which I've named a couple of such above. Another option is to apply to an airline scheme which offers funding such as Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific etc although nationality restrictions do apply to some. The final option is to go the more historical path and train whilst you earn and do the PPL, CPL, IR/ME, ATPL route of licensing which would save you money but ensure you do your research on the school you then attend for such.

Also on RYR's requirements to become an F/O, it doesn't say you need a PPL.

That's because a PPL is the lowest type of licence out there, with the exception of local variants, that permit you to fly a small aircraft for private purposes. A Ryanair pilot will need what's termed a 'frozen ATPL' - shortned to 'fATPL' - which is a CPL with Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-engine (ME) bolted on.. or.. an unfrozen ATPL which is achieved when you have 1500 hours.

What is the EASA Part FCL?

This is the legislation from EASA and local authorities which governs pilot licences within the European region.



From your questions, it seems as though you're only just setting out on your journey of research. I wouldn't get too caught up on a specific airline at this point if I were you - unless you're applying to a specific airline scheme - and i'd focus more on your route to achieving the licence that will get you there. My best advice to you would be to attend a careers event. At this point I wouldn't even recommend you go to a specific schools open day, although that would still help, but instead say try to attend an event from the likes of Pilot Careers Live whom invite lots of different organisations and airlines who can answer your questions. In fact, there is one in London in a day or so but they tour Europe all the time.

I wish you all the best. I was in your shoes too long ago.

[Thegreenmachine]

Originally Posted by OfficialLiovo

Hi,

Secondly, money, the worst part of everything. I don't understand how I am going to get nearly £100,000 in a space of about 10 years. I'm not willing to go through that TINY gap, to get into the military. I'm also not willing to get a job that I don't want, to earn the money.

You don't want to get a job to earn the money?!?

How do you think you get the money? Sorry to sound rude but someone doesn't come along and just give you the money. Either go to work and earn it, borrow from the bank, or have a lovely rich family member give it to you.

There is lots of good information on this forum, I suggest you use the 'search' to find a few answers. Gbotley has done most of it for you. Good luck.

[MaverickPrime]

gbotley couldn't have answered your questions any better!

I think you can't see the wood for the trees. Don't get too caught up with specifics at this stage, especially terms like CS25 or part-FCL.

Take your time to research the industry and routes into it. Try and get a general plan together and you can fine tune things as you go forward. You won't get a fATPL in one day.

You can train for a lot less than £100k!

[Prophead]

Can I ask why you want to fly for a living?

My advice to people that cannot afford to go down the integrated route is to concentrate on getting a PPL and take it from there.

The reason you won't see a PPL requirement on job adverts is because it is superseded by the CPL once you get that. You do however need a PPL to get the CPL so it is your first step.

[TryingToAvoidCBs]

I would firstly question your commitment to the industry before you start worrying about how to get into Ryanair.
I can understand you not willing to go through the Military. But unless I've misunderstood your comment, are you suggesting you're not willing to work at all to get the money to pay for your training?

How do you think most of us have paid for our training? Without bank loans and rich parents most of us have worked for many years to pay our way.

In the 7 years it took me to complete my training, I worked for a delivery company in London for over 3 years (and hated every single shift), in a Royal Mail warehouse on minimum wage, in a school on less than minimum wage, in a hospital operating theatre for 18 months covered daily in blood, and (again on minimum wage), & on the reception answering phones for a software company. Do you think I wanted to do any of those?

Assuming you took the integrated route and you did require 100,000K. Over ten years that's only 10K/yr. Realistically you'll need less than that for the training plus some for living expenses. I managed to pay for my training over 7 years by sacrificing pretty much everything. No friends, no social life, no holidays for over 10 years, no nice cars, no gadgets, eating rice and tuna for almost 5 years.

This industry can be very harsh (but fair) to those who don't put in the effort. If you have the right mind-set to start, you'll do well.
If you're not willing to work for any of it, don't bother, you won't last 5 minutes.

Good luck

[hobbit1983]

-Research more.

-There is no such thing as a free lunch. You'll just have to beg, borrow or steal the training costs like the rest of us...

-There is a time, place, and person for Ryanair. Broaden your horizons.

-Your first flying job may well not be straight onto a B737. This is not necessarily a bad thing.