Pilot shortage in EK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Between the sheets
i have rarely flown more than 90 hrs stick time in a month since i've been here (2 yrs). No doubt guys will continue to apply; good money, big new airplanes. I know it could be better and countless guys will tell you that here, but the fact remains, things are worse elsewhere.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: DXB
Hi Folks,
I recently did a flight with a GCAA inspector. A few things were mentioned:
-By January/February next year there will be an anonymous reporting system direct to the GCAA.
-Factoring of ULR flights is going to stop.
-EK did ask for an hour increase to 1000 a year and that was rejected by the GCAA, that won't change any time soon.
-GCAA working with clinic to establish a credible fatigue monitoring program as well as establish an annual hour limit for cabin crew.
-Calling in fatigued will be indicated as such on your roster NOT sick.
I was quite impressed with the audit and found that the inspectors were aware of all the things the crew are unhappy about. They did tell me that without paperwork from us, their hands are tied. I also got the impression that the GCAA are desperate to remedy as many of the issues as possible and that they operate as an autonomous regulator not controlled or influenced by any airline.
On a different note. I heard that the FAA is in town doing an audit on the GCAA and that flight and duty is at the top of the agenda. Other than the layover periods for ULR flights they would also like to have an 8 hour maximum flight time with a 2 man crew. I can't vouch for this though. Maybe someone else can give us the scoop.
I recently did a flight with a GCAA inspector. A few things were mentioned:
-By January/February next year there will be an anonymous reporting system direct to the GCAA.
-Factoring of ULR flights is going to stop.
-EK did ask for an hour increase to 1000 a year and that was rejected by the GCAA, that won't change any time soon.
-GCAA working with clinic to establish a credible fatigue monitoring program as well as establish an annual hour limit for cabin crew.
-Calling in fatigued will be indicated as such on your roster NOT sick.
I was quite impressed with the audit and found that the inspectors were aware of all the things the crew are unhappy about. They did tell me that without paperwork from us, their hands are tied. I also got the impression that the GCAA are desperate to remedy as many of the issues as possible and that they operate as an autonomous regulator not controlled or influenced by any airline.
On a different note. I heard that the FAA is in town doing an audit on the GCAA and that flight and duty is at the top of the agenda. Other than the layover periods for ULR flights they would also like to have an 8 hour maximum flight time with a 2 man crew. I can't vouch for this though. Maybe someone else can give us the scoop.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: On the Beach
Factoring
Factoring of ULR (or more correctly Augmented) flights concerns how hours are recorded for the purpose of logging flight time. Most countries and airlines regulate that for the purpose of logging time, each airborne hour counts as one hour towards a pilot's 28 day (100hr max) and annual (900hr max) flying limit.
Not so in Emirates Airline, as the OM(A) states that if you are operating as augmenting crew, then only the seat time counts towards your 28 day and 12 month limits. (eg DXB - IAH 16:30 block time may only record as 7 hours in the company's system.) Therefore, depending on how many augmented operations you fly, your actual 28 day block time may be well in excess of 100 hours, and similarly your actual annual block time may well exceed 900 hours.
The original intent was to not count hours in the bunk or resting for the purpose of licence or command upgrade, but the rule's migration into monthly and annual flying hour limits has somehow slipped into the system. The reality probably is that due to the uncontrolled expansion vs. pilot numbers, the company's operation would be somewhat curtailed if they had to abide by 100 hours in 28 days, and 900 in twelve months. There are currently pilots flying in excess of these figures, and some have been for a while now.
The GCAA are well aware this is going on, but are as yet unwilling to stop it happening. There is some suggestion that even our colleagues down the road in Abu Dhabi do not have to contend with this blatant abuse of the FTL scheme. Undoubtedly this adds to EK's SKF (sick fatigue) statistics.
Shame on EK for operating such a policy, and shame on the GCAA for allowing it to continue............
Not so in Emirates Airline, as the OM(A) states that if you are operating as augmenting crew, then only the seat time counts towards your 28 day and 12 month limits. (eg DXB - IAH 16:30 block time may only record as 7 hours in the company's system.) Therefore, depending on how many augmented operations you fly, your actual 28 day block time may be well in excess of 100 hours, and similarly your actual annual block time may well exceed 900 hours.
The original intent was to not count hours in the bunk or resting for the purpose of licence or command upgrade, but the rule's migration into monthly and annual flying hour limits has somehow slipped into the system. The reality probably is that due to the uncontrolled expansion vs. pilot numbers, the company's operation would be somewhat curtailed if they had to abide by 100 hours in 28 days, and 900 in twelve months. There are currently pilots flying in excess of these figures, and some have been for a while now.
The GCAA are well aware this is going on, but are as yet unwilling to stop it happening. There is some suggestion that even our colleagues down the road in Abu Dhabi do not have to contend with this blatant abuse of the FTL scheme. Undoubtedly this adds to EK's SKF (sick fatigue) statistics.
Shame on EK for operating such a policy, and shame on the GCAA for allowing it to continue............
Last edited by Plank Cap; 6th October 2010 at 15:21. Reason: Sp.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: On the Beach
Log Book
What you put in your log book I would suggest is entirely up to you. It is your own personal record of flights and as such most people would log precisely what they fly. EK will see fit to record the hours in their own special way however, and when it comes to your command upgrade will use their own figures, not necessarily the ones in your log book.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 85
From: Boldly going where no split infinitive has gone before..
Flyer,
You get flight pay for the whole amount and it all counts towards the productivity threshold.
Big difference here from the states, though. Flight pay makes up a relatively small percentage of your take-home, and the productivity threshold is 92 hours (in a 31 day month) so you don't actually get any very often.
Here we talk a lot more in terms of base salary than hourly rate.
Still, curious, but or otherwise what??
You get flight pay for the whole amount and it all counts towards the productivity threshold.
Big difference here from the states, though. Flight pay makes up a relatively small percentage of your take-home, and the productivity threshold is 92 hours (in a 31 day month) so you don't actually get any very often.
Here we talk a lot more in terms of base salary than hourly rate.
Still, curious, but or otherwise what??
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: USA
Oh ok, that's good. But still, you better get paid all 16.5 block hours and not just 7 hours because that's the factor flying.
You better get 16.5 hrs or otherwise that's some effed up s***! 
Still, curious, but or otherwise what??
