Flight Crew Stripes

[rjemery]

Particularly with international carriers, what rank is designated by zero, one, two, three, four and five stripes?

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R. J. Emery

[Mr Benn]

Zero is either a businessman attempting to look like a pilot or its off duty crew attempting to look like passengers.
One? Dunno.
Two - Depends on company. Can mean Second Officer or First Officer without ATPL or junior First Officer.
Three - First Officer or sometimes Senior First Officer.
Four - Captain
Five - dunno, doesn't exist does it? (or perhaps refer to zero)

So as long as there is one "4 striper" and either 2 or 3 stripes in the other seat, you'll be fine. (Note: I didn't mention two 4 stripers flying together. Eek, scary.)

[rjemery]

Mr. B, then anyone serving in the cockpit of a commercial airliner will be wearing at least two stripes?

What is ATPL? And would the chief pilot of an airline get to wear five stripes?

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R. J. Emery

[Jopa]

I once heard, but it's just another PPRuNe rumor, that Concorde drivers use 5 stripes...?!

[rjemery]

Jopa, that would not surprise me. They are the elite, perhaps. Would your answer be applicable to both AF and BA Concorde pilots?

And to Mr. B, what stripes or extra insignia would a check pilot wear?

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R. J. Emery

[Jopa]

rjeremy,

As I said, it just a rumour I heard. However, it would be interesting to confirm it. I'll try to do so and I'll get back to you.

Regarding the ATPL, it stands for Airline Transport Pilot License. The holder of an ATP license may exercise the privileges of a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and act as a Pilot In Command (PIC) in a commercial air service on any class and type of aeroplane for wich his/her license is endorsed.

Cheers,

[rjemery]

Jopa, on another topic, if you could put me in contact with a Concorde pilot willing to answer technical questions about the operation of the a/c, I would be most appreciative. I have many questions regarding the fuel, summer vs winter routes, flight levels, skin temps, etc.

I was planning to fly the Concorde (as a pax) myself before service ended in 2006. I hope I haven't missed out.

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R. J. Emery

[Mr Benn]

If you go to Tech Log and do a search you may find some of the Conc answers you are looking for. Or post some new questions.
As for check pilots, they are Captains (4 stripes) who are also check pilots (training captains, examiners, etc.). They still only wear 4 stripes.
Everyone up front should have at least 2 stripes I think.
However, those stripes might only be on their jackets not on their shirts, depends on the company uniform rules.
All pilots of commercial airliners have to have at least a Commercial Pilots Licence. The "upgrade" to Airline Transport Pilots licence, in the UK, involves completing 1500 hours of flying time and doing higher level of exams than at CPL. However, most new pilots since a couple of years ago, take their exams at ATPL level from the outset, which means they have a CPL and a "frozen" ATPL. They have exactly the same licence as someone with a full ATPL but not the total flying hours.
Why do you ask?

[rjemery]

> Why do you ask?

Just curious. Elsewhere, the topic of "five stripers" came up, and I suddenly realized I didn't know the rank of a flight officer given by his (or her) uniform stripes.

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R. J. Emery

[lalapanzi]

Those with the five stripes is either the Ops/Crewing Controller - the real person in charge.

[traveler]

In my company they give us a stripe less while we're still in training. And we use junior co-pilots as relief-pilots or cruise-pilots (second officer). They are not allowed to take of and land just yet. Are trained for it, in case of, but have to wait till they're promoted to co-pilot. they will be on trips longer than 8:30 hours.
So in our case: 1 stripe - second officer in training. 2 stripes - second officer, or first officer in training. 3 stripes - first officer, or captain in training. 4 stripes - captain.

[rjemery]

traveler, many thanks for your reply. What airline are you with?

[traveler]

I was hoping to remain anonymous, oh well what the heck ... KLM.

[exeng]

Dear Jopa,

B.A. Concorde pilots do not have 5 stipes. They wear the same as all other B.A. fleets, 4 = Captain, 3 = Senior First Officer, 2 = First Officer (Note that the Conc does not have any 2 stipers in the right hand seat), 3 stipes on a purple background = Senior Engineer Officer (Senior Flight Engineer)

Hope this is of help.


Regards
Exeng

[NCC-1701e]

Where i work, The pilots in management wear 4 stripes and a star. Never seen a 5 striper.

[a_random]

I wear one stripe as a lowly ATPL student at SFT (before you think I am too big for my boots, it is part of our uniform - and constitutes the loss of a stripe with loop from the uniform I used to wear) so really worry if one of us is flying!

Once I pass my GFT (general flying test, for non-pilots. test for my CPL) it really goes to my head - I get to wear two stripes!

[airwave]

Where I work, the management wears an apron and fluffy slippers but only wears her uniform on Saturday nights. I think its skull and crossbones instead of stripes.


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I can see your house from here...