737NG vs 737Classic
 

Hi

Does annyone know, or have a theory on how the airlines value 737Classic time compared to NG time?

Cheers

Which airlines, and how many hours are we talking about?

Scroggs

Scroggs
I'm comparing prices for type rating + line traning and find the NG much more expensive. An example is eaglejet where you get 500h Classic for the same price as 250h NG!
Do you think the airline where you flew the hours matters?

Sorry, Gonnabe, what I was getting at was which airline you're aiming for. Obviously, if you want to get a job on an airline operating glass 737s, getting a rating on the -200 isn't a lot of use. There may be airlines operating the classic 737 where you are, but there aren't that many in UK. If you must get a rating, do it on an aircraft type relevant to your intended future employment.

Scroggs

Err, one would image that the B737 'classic' being referred to here is any of the -300, -400, -500 series ( and not the -200 ).

Wherein, for the avoidance of doubt, the 'NG' is any of the -600, -700, -800 and -900 series.

OKC apologies, I'm not - nor have I ever been - a 737 pilot. I assumed that Gonnabe's reference to the 'classic' meant the fully-clockwork machine.

However, the point remains that there is little point in getting a rating on an aircraft you're not going to fly. If a -400 rating is interchangeable with an -800 rating, there's no problem. If it's not, then it's worthless if your target airline operates NG 737s.

Scroggs

Sorry if I was a little unclear, but Old King Coal is right. With "classic" I was reffering to the 3-500 series.

As far as I know there is very little training required to change from the classic to the NG. Depending on if you're changing to an EFIS or a PFD/ND 737NG all the training you need is one or two simulator sessions pluss some ground school. This makes me wonder: why are the NG hours that much more expensive?

Scroggs, I totaly agree with you. There is no point in getting a rating on something you're not aiming to fly. The Classic (3/4/500)series is slowly on it's way out, at least there are no new comming out on the market, while the NG series is beeing delivered at a high rate. This means that in the near future (if not already) there will be a higher demand for NG, than classic pilots and the chanses to get hired are probably higher on the NG. So that's what I'm aiming for!

Dunno about you, but if I was in the position I'd take the classic (ie; 3/4/500 EFIS) rating as the 500 relevant typed jet hours are precious in terms of looking for other work. If you get a job as an NG driver you can always do a differences course - you know the job will pay for it. Many airlines have a TRTO and can do the differences course as a bond or at cost price. Don't expect it to be cheap, though - you know what aviation is like! I reckon 1 week and 7 grand Euro would do it, although if other people have reliable figures then let's see them.

There is no reason for Eagle Jet to give half the line hours on NG, other than greed - or maybe it's harder to place NG pilots for line training as there are 3 times more EFIS aircraft around the world, and maybe they can't cut the same deal. Don't be fooled by the lack of EFIS aircraft in Sweden! Generally, there is no industry difference in pay between an EFIS and an NG driver - the most any airline who has both can do is ask for a bond for the training cost if converting their own pilots when swopping to the newer fleet.

There's no demand for -200 ratings any more as the EFIS is a full type rating away rather than a differences course.

One other point similar to that of Scroggs - what's your target market in terms of where and what do you want to fly? Many people are choosing A320 now as most of the new LC carriers in Asia have all gone with the A320, plus there is a differences course to A330, A340, etc, which keeps down the cost of retraining.

The choice is yours - hope that's of some help.

bear 11, thanks a lot, your views sure helps.
You pretty much confirmed my thoughts. The price for the hours probably depends on demand and availability as everything else. The NG is much newer and thus more attractive to many. It may very well be less available to companies like eaglejet since the classic is more used by newer airlines with less cash?

If annybody else has another view or some insight, please let us know!

Gonnabe

I agree with above, choose the option which gives you the most hours.

I havent used Eaglejet myself, but a few friends have, and it has been nothing except problems. So think twice before cashing up.

Duece

Gonnabe,

This is according to PPJN so it may not all be correct but this is how it's split in the UK at the moment:

British Airways: 737-300/400/500
Channex/Jet2: 737-300
bmibaby: 737-300/500
Easyjet: 737-300/700
Ryanair: 737-800
Astraeus: 737-300/700
European Aviation Charter: 737-200
Excel: 737-800
Thompsonfly: 737-500...orders for the 300 and one 800
Flyglobespan: 737-300

There maybe others that i've missed but as you can see, the classic is predominent in the UK at the minute.

Personally, i'm rated on both, having done a classic rating then NG differences. In my opinion you would be better doing the classic rating, getting cheaper hours then doing the differences course.

Good luck.

In my experience, the B737-3-500 Rating will cost you less to complete. On completion of the TR you will be issued with a B737-3-900 + BBJ Type rating by the CAA. Howver, In order to operate the NG (the -6/7/8/900 and BBJ) you must complete a differences course which is typically an aditional 2 days ground school and 1 additional SIM session in the NG SIM. It can be done the other way round but obviously this is rearly done as it costs more.

NG or Classic line hours our debatable. I guess If you are targeting airlines with NG's they will probably favour NG time and vice versa. However, experience is experience and if the type is on your licence and the diff course has been completed you are qualified to fly the type and therefore in my view the more hours the better.

Regards

LOB

Thanks for your replys.
I'm probably going for the classic - if i'm going! I haven't decided yet. It's an awful lot of money to spend and I've heard that some have had problems with eaglejet and other similar companies. If annyone have any experience good or bad from buying hours please let me know.

Gonnabe,

I am sure you have probably considered this route, but Bond Aviation are currently offereing new starters in March April and May, the 737 3-500 rating and free of charge the 6,7,8,900 + BBJ
differences for £16,250 including base check. If you make the grade you can get 100 hours line time for a further £9,000.

I know the debates about doing this, but for me this is now tipping my scales...I have felt like I have been flogging a dead horse for the last 2 years...so must try one last thing...atleast for now lol.

Considered Eagle myself but weighing up the prices versus reputation, I think I have made my decision.

Good luck anyway and keep us all posted.

By the way guys and girls...been a long time since I posted so I hope all you guys who know me and indeed those that don't are all well, still pushing on and not ever considering giving up on this fantastic but crazy industry.

Harves

I haven't heard of them before. I did a search on the webb and found a company in Orlando. Is that the one you are talking about.
The prices you stated do however look rather high to me. Just 100h for £9000! Eaglejet charges $19900 for 300h.
I've found a TRTO that charges you apprx £11500, excluding base training, for a classic rating.
My main concern is the price. I'm gonna have to loan a lot of money if I decide to sponsor myself.
I know that eaglejet has a bad reputation and I've heard a few discouraging stories. I try to weigh the pros and cons against eachother and I wonder if eaglejet really is that bad or if it's just a reputation that they don't deserve?
Do you know annyone that's had any problems with them? If you do please let me know!

Gonnabe,

You will certainly find cheaper options out there, but as Bond is the training division of Astraeus, there is always a chance that things can lead from there if you shine, especially if you are buying a package with line time, which would be flown with Astaeus. Obviousely there are no guarantees, but atleast you will have trained to their SOP's and you would be a known quantity. I actually didn't think the actual type rating package was bad for £16,250...you get all types post 200 for that and the base check.

With regards to EagleJet, I have only heard the stories (some okay) from on here.

Anway, I am biting the bullet and have an assessment on Monday with them.

I will keep you all up to speed.

I agree with you that the type rating package for £16250 isn't too bad. Especially not since both the base training and diff course is included.

Good luck on monday!!

And please keep us updated on you progress!!

Harves,

By the way, is the VAT included in the £16,250?

I wish you luck!

Bjorn,

I'm afraid not, VAT is on top.....will keep you guys posted and good luck to you aswell.

Err, let me get this straight..... are we all talking about the same 'Bond Aviation' ?

I.e. there's:

Bond Aviation Services ( this is the one that has the banner ad which occasionally appears at the top of these here PPRuNe pages - i.e. the ad with the B737 pic on it )

and then there's:

Bond Aviation Solutions ( this is the organisation that is owned by Astraeus )

Whilst they might ostensibly almost have the same name, they are NOT the same companies - so please be careful not to confuse the two ( i.e. caveat emptor and all that ) !