RFDS advert for pilot with 650 I/F hours minimum

[Desert Duck]

The truth about IF logbook hours vs real IF hours will show up to a good Check Capt on a Sim or Flight Check.

[BlatantLiar]

If you are flying under IFR then it's all IF regardless of the weather isn't it?

Yes, that is correct sir.

[Tinstaafl]

I hope you're being facetious, Hobo, and I hope you're just playing along with Hobo, BlatantLiar.

[Wally Mk2]

I was thinking the same 'tiny' these guys can't be serious:-)

A guy has been flying for many years has say 8000 hrs all flt plans logged under the Inst Flt rules, doe's that mean he has 8000 hrs IF? Hardly !

Amazing the amount of people who really have no idea of the rules!


Wmk2

[PLovett]

There is a difference between "flying under IFR" and "IF hours". I have seen job adverts that stipulate the former and usually have a much higher figure than adverts asking for a certain number of the latter.

That said, from my limited contact with the RFDS I have been told the more critical figure is the number of night hours in the log book. Somewhat understandable when you consider that they can be tasked with flying into a black hole with only car lights or kerosene pots lighting the flat bit. A butt clenching undertaking no matter what the weather is like at the time.

[Stationair8]

I thought the RFDS filled this position last year?

[Wally Mk2]

'S8' they did but like most things in life there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes there. Lets just say that the 'package' wasn't that good after all so it's back to the drawing board me thinks:-)


Wmk2

[Martin VanNostrum]

I've logged 23,000 hours of which 1,200 are IFR (hand flying in IFR weather). That would be a fair and honest ratio.

[Howard Hughes]

I thought the RFDS filled this position last year?

Advertised but not filled.

[Green gorilla]

450 instrument hours, 8600 total.

[clear to land]

About 14000TT/1100 IF

[Fred Gassit]

Strangely enough Gorilla, we have almost exactly the same numbers..

[Tinstaafl]

I have 7000+ and 450 IF - and that IF time was increased significantly thanks to 2 1/2 years flying from the Shetland Islands, otherwise it would be less. Mind you, the last few days in Florida has been Shetland-like. 3 days flying with low cloud, rain, drizzle & a 300' overcast. Trust the mechanical gods to break my autopilot two weeks ago...

[Stationair8]

I thought the guy that was the Kingair 350 instructor at the Ansett sim centre went to or was in the running for the CP job?

[aussiepilot]

Pay?

RFDS have historically had high experience requirements when compared to the airlines, does that translate to higher pay too?

[Jamair]

Yep!

[Towering Q]

On a slight tangent....the RFDS Westops CP has just ticked over 40 years with the company....not a bad effort!!

[Wally Mk2]

Now that's impressive, 40 yrs, amazing considering they have PC's !!!

Thought about transferring there once upon a time as I heard on the grape vine that they where considering going back to a safer fleet with the old Beech's but alas they are still far braver than I'd ever wanna be

Wmk2

[pithblot]

40 years, Good effort!

Congratulations Michael, that's a great milestone! A lot of pilots, myself included, have have benefitted greatly from your experience over the years. Thank you.

I'm guessing you would have just missed flying the C180 for the RFDS, but would have got your hands on the;
B58
PA31
C421
C425
C441
B90
B200
PC12
And that jet thingy.

Is there any truth in the story that the B58 came to be as a result of a request of the RFDS WA Section to stretch the B55?

Cheers Bleusie, All the best for the rest of your career

Pithblot

[Towering Q]

Pithblot.....the answer I got for your B58 question was:

"RFDS WA Section (Harold Dicks) asked Walter Beech could they make the cargo door bigger on the B55, they came up with the dual rear doors on the B58.

We got one of the first production B58 aircraft (VH-FDN) and Bell Brothers got the second in WA."