Pipeline to the airlines
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Join Date: Feb 2024
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Pipeline to the airlines
I have not even started flight training or anything but i'm trying to decide if becoming a pilot is even viable in my situation before committing myself to anything. I have always wanted to be a pilot ever since i was a child and for many years it was pretty much the thing that mattered the most to me but unfortunately the air force in my country is quite small and i didn't have the grades to be admitted to pilot training and flight school is also expensive and i didn't have the money or nobody to pay for it so i just went and enlisted in the army and kind of put my dream on the backburner.
Now i was thinking about what to do after i leave the military and have found out that there are financing options compatible with my situation and i very possibly can attend flight training to get a ATPL license and only start paying the loan after i complete the training. However i know the ATPL license by itself won't get me a job in the airlines since they mostly ask for 1500 hours. I did a some researching and found out it's possible to make those hours instructing or even flying small planes in Africa but these are all things i'm reading over the internet and have no idea if this is actually a feasible plan.
If i get my ATPL license and build 1500 hours flying small aircraft will the airlines just take me as a first officer? Will i need to pay for my own type rating?
It seems many airlines not only ask for type rating but also 500 hours "in type", how am i supposed to build 500 hours in type in the first place?
I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but it's just it seems everything is kind of confusing and i'm just looking to shed some light on this.
For context, i'm from the European union if it matters.
Now i was thinking about what to do after i leave the military and have found out that there are financing options compatible with my situation and i very possibly can attend flight training to get a ATPL license and only start paying the loan after i complete the training. However i know the ATPL license by itself won't get me a job in the airlines since they mostly ask for 1500 hours. I did a some researching and found out it's possible to make those hours instructing or even flying small planes in Africa but these are all things i'm reading over the internet and have no idea if this is actually a feasible plan.
If i get my ATPL license and build 1500 hours flying small aircraft will the airlines just take me as a first officer? Will i need to pay for my own type rating?
It seems many airlines not only ask for type rating but also 500 hours "in type", how am i supposed to build 500 hours in type in the first place?
I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but it's just it seems everything is kind of confusing and i'm just looking to shed some light on this.
For context, i'm from the European union if it matters.
Your post ended up on an Australian forum. The situation here is that it is not possible to get an ATPL until you have the minimum hours. (go to the CASA.gov.au website to check what hours are required). The first professional licence you can do is a CPL. You can do ATPL theory subjects, but if you read any claims from training organisations about getting a "frozen ATPL" be aware that there is no such licence in Australia. It may be different in Europe.
You may also read that there is a pilot shortage in Australia. Not at entry level; there is NO, repeat, NO shortage!. If you research other posts here you will see that newly qualified CPL pilots with 250 to 300 hours have great difficulty getting a flying job. Various numbers get kicked about which can not be verified, but i I have seen claims that less than 20% of those who get a CPL eventually make it to an airline career. There are airline jobs for those with more than 500 to 1500 hours (depends on airline, supply & demand etc), multi engine command time, instrument rating and ATPL theory subjects passed, but you have to get to that level first, then jump through the psych test hoops. There are also cadetship programs which offer an airline job at the end of some very expensive training. I don't know what the current situation is with those, other than you probably need about $120,000 to pay for the privilege of being considered at the end of the program.
Re your question about Type Ratings: For Direct Entry Command (which clearly would not apply to you) airlines will typically expect that, plus experience on the type. For First Officer positions, the employer usually provides the rating, but will typically bond you to ensure return of service.
Finally, there is the issue of obtaining a working visa. This depends on your age, nationality, finances, and whether or not your qualifications fit the policy of the day.
You may find the situation different in the USA, where it may be possible to sign an agreement with one of the reputable flight schools to help with a visa, then complete all-through training to commercial and instructor level, then work within the same school for a couple of years as a flight instructor to build the hours needed to be considered by the airlines.
Research very carefully - there are plenty of scams out there!
You may also read that there is a pilot shortage in Australia. Not at entry level; there is NO, repeat, NO shortage!. If you research other posts here you will see that newly qualified CPL pilots with 250 to 300 hours have great difficulty getting a flying job. Various numbers get kicked about which can not be verified, but i I have seen claims that less than 20% of those who get a CPL eventually make it to an airline career. There are airline jobs for those with more than 500 to 1500 hours (depends on airline, supply & demand etc), multi engine command time, instrument rating and ATPL theory subjects passed, but you have to get to that level first, then jump through the psych test hoops. There are also cadetship programs which offer an airline job at the end of some very expensive training. I don't know what the current situation is with those, other than you probably need about $120,000 to pay for the privilege of being considered at the end of the program.
Re your question about Type Ratings: For Direct Entry Command (which clearly would not apply to you) airlines will typically expect that, plus experience on the type. For First Officer positions, the employer usually provides the rating, but will typically bond you to ensure return of service.
Finally, there is the issue of obtaining a working visa. This depends on your age, nationality, finances, and whether or not your qualifications fit the policy of the day.
You may find the situation different in the USA, where it may be possible to sign an agreement with one of the reputable flight schools to help with a visa, then complete all-through training to commercial and instructor level, then work within the same school for a couple of years as a flight instructor to build the hours needed to be considered by the airlines.
Research very carefully - there are plenty of scams out there!
If you're in the EU then you need 200 hours for a CPL/IR (less if integrated). That's enough to get you an airline job. Once you have 1500 hours you can apply for an ATPL.
