GECAT A320 SSTR - Who has jobs yet??
 

Was contemplating starting an A320 SSTR with GECAT at Gatwick, and i have a few questions Iwould be very happy if anyone out there could answer.

1. How would current and past students rate their quality of training?
2. How long did it take for students to gain their first position?
3. Was this through GECAT or by your/their own perserverence?
4. Anything else that youthink that i should know before I embark upon the course?

Thanks for your help on this matter, because I have been hearing differing viewpoints.

All help and information is really appreciated.

Apparently there is some interest from Qatar Airways. Who knows, I'm hoping I won't have to go now.
BMI and BMED are still recruiting by the way.

:suspect:

I know this, hence the reason I'm hoping I won't have to go to GECAT, I'm already booked on a course there, however my situation may change this week hopefully with one of those airlines. They're paying for the lot if successful!

This has nothing to do with GECAT.

Hey cloud-surfer,
Here's my input:
1. How would current and past students rate their quality of training?
Past student and would definitely recommend GECAT. Most of the training is provided through a third party called IAGO. They have a great bunch of guys that seen me through.
2. How long did it take for students to gain their first position?
I know of 9 guys (including myself) that now have jobs. This is only based on the guys that I trained with and the ones I now work beside. We started the SSTR in November/December and most are already on-line with uk airlines.
3. Was this through GECAT or by your/their own perseverance?
All the guys I know (myself included) got the job through own perseverance
4. Anything else that you think that i should know before I embark upon the course?
At the end of the day it is still a risk. My success story, along with the other guys, may well be a one off. For me it was definitely worth while and I'm not looking back:)
There is a lot of movement at the moment but who knows what that will be like when you complete your training. I am sure it will stay that way for a while to come.
Hope that helps a little,
Cheers.

Cloud Surfer,

I had the pleasure of being on the same course as CLEAR4/TO, except he dwarfed me with his skygod like qualities ;) (will see you at LHR sir), and can back up his comments.

From a personal point of view GECAT have been very supportive and I would recommend them to anybody who was considering the course.

Good luck with it.

CAT 3 How's you're first week going mate?

Very well mate, thanks for asking.

Came into LHR last night from Amsterdam on an observation flight, had a fantastic view of London (all lit up) left hand downwind on 09L, absolutely delightful :ok:.

Let me know how you get on. All the best.

All 4 on a January course got jobs within 3 weeks. All off their own backs.

Bloody great blokes they were too!!!;)

GECAT was really good for the 320 series SSTR IMHO. Many instructors were great at GECAT (special mention to Cpt. D. Lazarus. who I thought was an excellent instructor - and a bit of a legend among our four)
I had my first jet job about 1 month after finishing.
Tom.

Claycomm,

GECAT have just put the price up by a thousand quid. I think from memory you are looking at £17995 and £4800 for your base training :eek:.

So you won't get much change out of £23K, better start saving up your pocket money ;).

silly question, does the A320TR include the A319/8 ? Or is there difference training?

No difference training but rating is for a320-200 family 18/19/20/21. All ground school and flying is based on CFM engines but there isnt much difference for IAEs (unless training for destination airline). Any differences youll do on your airlines conversion course.

Well, I have to be honest I'm no longer doing of a SSTR as I've just been offered a jet job, with a major UK airline. They pay for the lot!

Good luck to you all in your search!

Well done SinBin, enjoy the A320.

I did the GECAT SSTR some 2 1/2 years ago..along with about 5 other guys..We all ended up with jobs.

I had no contacts at the beginning of the course, but with plenty of C.V writing and phone calls , landed a job within 1 month. It took me 10 months to get my second job back here in the UK..

GECAT were fantastic and went over the top to help me and even after the course were helpful.

The base training was organised within a week of the LPC, and it was during the base training that I was asked if I was interested in a job.. 1 month later I was flying the A320 on line training.

As said previously by others the rating is for A318/319/320/321...and information on the A321 is given during the course.

The sim instructors we had for the training were brilliant and made the LPC fun and straight forward.

Just spoken to GECAT today, apparantly they have no space until August time, but are accepting "emails of interest" and you'll get a message when the programme restarts. The email address is on the webpage.

From the 90 they trained last year, I think it was mentioned that only 6 hadn't found employment yet!

Horgy

Just out of interest - how did you guys who did the SSTR fund the training? Do GECAT give you any info/help on obtaining a loan? Or did you go out and get a standard loan?
Thanks...

Would any of the ex- Gecat A320 type people, care to say where they got employment. Basically , which operators in the UK are taking zero hour typed pilots. I'm based in ireland so would be interested especially if any of you got jobs in ireland ( aer lingus, easy or other ) !!! Thanks ;)

Jet Mouse, as far as I know, GECAT give no help on the financial side, you will have to arrange the money required yourself.

Tony2F, you will find at the moment, alot of airlines are taking people with 0 hours on type that have type ratings. At BMI, guys with 250 hours are being recruited and being put straight onto the Airbus, with no type rating at all, things are definately looking up for freshly qualified pilots. With regard to GECAT, they have placed people with Air Malta, BMI (usually off the students own back, so far this year anyway), Aer Lingus, Monarch, Thomas Cook and First Choice. I am sure there are more, but those are the ones that spring to mind.

Hope that helps.

Left GECAT after getting my airbus ticket winter 2006 and within 2 months got a job with a major charter airline. I got the job off my own back not placed by GECAT and I believe this has been the case for most people..

If you do choose to take up a SS TR with them, don't expect them to give too much of a sh*t once you have left and they have your money.. however if you put the effort in, there are definitely definitley jobs to be had with a TR and zero hours on type.. I would recommend anyone to go down the SS TR route and from all the people who I know who have been through various different TRTOs I would say it is easier to get a job with Airbus TR rather than 737 (but thats just from my experience)

enjoy ;)