Hours Building
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Hours Building
Please could any wannabees out there help me. From reading other threads I know I am not alone here in being a 509er struggling to trap that elusive first job with a stack load of "minimum 1500 hours..." letters. Not deterred I keep applying but the thing that disturbs me is that all the time I am sat at a desk trying to pay off some debts my low number of hours is staying low!
All the suggestions I have seen say that parachute dropping, glider towing, ferrying etc are the usual ways to get some practice. My question is how do you get these jobs. I am being a bit naïve here but if there is anyone there who is doing this type of work I would be very interested to hear how you got it.
Many thanks
Cruise
All the suggestions I have seen say that parachute dropping, glider towing, ferrying etc are the usual ways to get some practice. My question is how do you get these jobs. I am being a bit naïve here but if there is anyone there who is doing this type of work I would be very interested to hear how you got it.
Many thanks
Cruise
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Hi,
Have you thought about becoming a flying instructor, I realise that it may mean a bit more on the financial side, but at least you'll be earning some money to pay the bills, whilst your getting your hours, some airline pilots that i know did it this way.
Towing gliders etc.. can work but you need a gliders license before you can do it, i heard?? parachute dropping hhmmm, i think it will be hard to find somewhere to get a job doing this, just my opinion though, good luck it whatever you choose to do, it'll be all worth it one day!!!
Have you thought about becoming a flying instructor, I realise that it may mean a bit more on the financial side, but at least you'll be earning some money to pay the bills, whilst your getting your hours, some airline pilots that i know did it this way.
Towing gliders etc.. can work but you need a gliders license before you can do it, i heard?? parachute dropping hhmmm, i think it will be hard to find somewhere to get a job doing this, just my opinion though, good luck it whatever you choose to do, it'll be all worth it one day!!!
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Go to airports in your region and just drive around them and go inside any flying club or school and ask them if they have a flying job for ya.
Being an instructor would be the best thing as it will provide you with the most hours AND dramatically increase your flying knowledge.
Being an instructor would be the best thing as it will provide you with the most hours AND dramatically increase your flying knowledge.
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I'm looking at doing a first officer scheme in the USA, it costs around $3000 to convert to FAA, then you effectively pay to be an F/O on a twin piston or turboprop, ends up being something like £20 an hour if you buy a large block time.
I dont know whether any other people have done something like this..
LP
I dont know whether any other people have done something like this..
LP
Guest
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Be very careful abou the "pay for your hours" type "job" deals in the USA. I know that they sound good but I have spoken to people who have been seriously stung by this kind of operation.
As for glider towing, if you want to do it part time then you need to also be a glider pilot, however the big clubs take on full timers for the summer season. Its no pay but usually you get accommodation and sometimes food too. You'll do loads of hours too.
As for glider towing, if you want to do it part time then you need to also be a glider pilot, however the big clubs take on full timers for the summer season. Its no pay but usually you get accommodation and sometimes food too. You'll do loads of hours too.
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There are good FO programs out there and the experience can be very good. It will be hard work, crappy weather, tough runs but great experience.
Problem can be that some European operators think that they can only do VFR flights in the US and don't really like American hours. I absolutely disagree though, I know the weather, congestion and work can be MUCH tougher than you'll find in most places in western Europe. It's certainly great experience to have, especially compared to glider or banner towing.
Make sure you fly turboprop (or jet).
Problem can be that some European operators think that they can only do VFR flights in the US and don't really like American hours. I absolutely disagree though, I know the weather, congestion and work can be MUCH tougher than you'll find in most places in western Europe. It's certainly great experience to have, especially compared to glider or banner towing.
Make sure you fly turboprop (or jet).
Guest
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With respect to para dropping, I called all the Parachuting clubs in the UK and got offered a position flying the C206 at one of them. Go to the British Parachute Association website (I think it's www.bpa.org.uk ) to get a list of all the schools and phone numbers. If you have over 100 hours P1, your training can be reduced to 5 hours (which you pay-around £60 per hour), if you have less than 100 hours P1, then you will have to do about 10 hours training. It is alot of fun and this summer seems to be hotting up for skydiving.
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"Jerry, just remember, it's NOT a LIE if YOU believe it." - George Costanza
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
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"Jerry, just remember, it's NOT a LIE if YOU believe it." - George Costanza
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by v1rotate (edited 18 May 2001).]
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Cruise Alt
I see from your profile you list your occupation as 'FO', but you are 'struggling to trap that elusive first job'.
Do you work for the Foreign Office, are you a Fire Officer or is there another occpuation with the initials 'FO' I can't think of?
Just curious, that's all.
I see from your profile you list your occupation as 'FO', but you are 'struggling to trap that elusive first job'.
Do you work for the Foreign Office, are you a Fire Officer or is there another occpuation with the initials 'FO' I can't think of?
Just curious, that's all.
