Stealth,
Could you give me all the information you have about the 737 type with Yugoslav.
And a contact number if you have it.
Thanks in advance.
MF45

[email protected]

Stealth, looks like you've started a trend here.

Could you do the same for me and let me know about the course you are doing...
email me - [email protected]

As for the question the original poster asked - perhaps if paying for a type rating manages to get you a job it's a better risk than two years of trying to hourbuild as an instructor in the UK weather. Given the last 18 months I'm amazed I can still pay the mortagage..
Loss of income from a wellpaid job must be factored in as a cost too. If paying for a type rating can help you get a job without 1-2 years instructing then perhaps the risk is worth it.

Just had a look at a 1997 copy of a flying mag and at the back theres is a mention of THE ATP ACADEMY, B737 / 757 A320/A321 type ratings. Anyone know if they're still operating?

Cheers,
Turbsy

Non-Jar airline training presents a problem unless the training Captain holds a JAR licence. I'm not an expert in this, but I recommend you look into it closely before committing. Regards

Thanks for the advice mate, at the moment I'm only looking into it.

All the best,
Turbsy

BA Cadets Type Rating Course
 

Over the next 4 years, is the Airbus 319/320 the only shorthaul fleet a cadet can choose to start on, or are there still courses on the 757?

The 757 fleet is reducing in size, thus plans are for 737 and Airbus courses only, though even 737 is being slowly faded out. You never know though..

How come?

No plans as yet to replace Gatwick 737s.

You never can tell with BA. When I joined the airline I was asked which fleet I would prefer. The 757 was one of the fleets offered, so it was one of my first choices. At this point the 737 at LHR wasn't even a twinkle in Bob's eye. A while later the letter arrived saying congratulations you'll be going to LHR ... on the 737.Everyone I spoke to said I was going mad (been happening for a while now) and that there was no 73 fleet at LHR.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, it seems they had announced the reduction of the 757 fleet and advised pilots to bid for a fleet move unless they didn't mind being frozen on the fleet till it was closed. Weeks later, after the more senior flight crew jumped to other fleets, they announced they would be keeping the 757s for a bit longer after all. Most of the next 50 CEPs to join BA went to the 757. I bump into them from time to time at the Compass centre and they say 'Hi where are you going?' I say 'Aberdeen ... again' and they say 'Aw never mind. I'm off to Nassau.'

At the moment you can expect A319/320 (LHR and BHX), or B737 (LHR, LGW and possibly MAN). Just remember the plan may be different tommorrow.

Self Sponsored Type Training
 

I have recently recieved a phonecall from a TRTO offering their course on the S360. I finished my ATPL course about 2 months ago now and have been thinking about it for a while although I suspect that it sounds to good to be true. They say that they only recruit from the pool of pilots that they train. According to them, of the 35 people they trained last year something like 32 later got jobs either with them or with other airlines that use the a/c. My question is do you think it is worth the gamble to get that first job or do you think I should spend my money on an Instructors course as previously planned. I have been sending CVs, making phonecalls etc but so far have got nowhere other than the usual "dear john" letters. I have to admit its pretty tempting. Has anybody else funded their own type rating? Am I mad for even considering it?

Everything I've ever read or anyone I've ever listened to says "...DON'T EVEN GO THERE!!!"

Be very careful.Are they offering a job if you do their Type Rating?The advice from the last wannabe`s seminar was that a type rating was only any good with some time on type.Just a type rating on it`s own wasn`t worth much.
Ask this training organisation if it is willing to supply contact details for past students.You may be able to find out if they really did help them get a job.IMHO I would do the Instructor rating and build from there,unless they are saying "Here is a guarenteed job,but you pay towards the type rating."Not ideal I know but a foot in the door.
Good Luck which ever you decide.

They told me that there is no guarantee of a job, but they have fixed me up with a jump seat ride with one of the first officers that came out of the course six months ago. They tell me that there will be positions for first officers in the coming months as they have got a new contract next year and are getting a new aircraft for it. I agree with the ususal argument that it isn't worth getting say a 737 type rating as no airline in their right mind is gonna take you on with say one hour on type. This one seems a little different though cos as well as being a TRTO they are also a well established cargo operator.
I guess I'll have to wait and see what they tell me after the jump seat ride.

Hmmmm... a self-sponsored TR on the SD360.... smells like BAC Express, my friends. They "offer" ( :D) this course for £10,500 + VAT. & if U have even more money to throw away, U can also pay for the F27 course @ £13,000 + VAT ( :D :D ). A BIG JOKE, that's what it is. Another way to steal money from students' pockets... or @ least from those who still have some !

As it's been said many many many many times on this forum, DON'T pay for a TR unless U have a bunch of hours (say 500 or more) in the relevant a/c. It won't help U get a job, it will just enable the TRTO people to increase their income.

MF

Don't ever pay for a type rating. I did a few years ago and was promised a job that at the end of the rating (it took 11 months!)didn't happen. Reason being the company had changed their plans. I then took on a job with another carrier on a different type (rating paid by company) and after 6 months with them was called by the first airline but they offered me peanuts.
To this day I have my self-sponsored rating but have never really used it and therefore threw money down the drain.
I know it's tempting when you get promised a job on an A320 subject to having the rating but be patient and persevere because there is someone out there ready to pay for your type rating and give you a job.
The only form of self-sponsorship I feel I can reccommend is that offered by the ATP Academy in Southamton-UK. Once you've got a rating with them you will almost certainly get you a job.

Is the company in question based in the South of England offering course on the Shorts360, without a job. However, they keep on bombarding your with phone calls and letters about their training courses?

If so, I got the same treatment. Im not interested in self sponsoring for a type rating especially if there is no job at the end of it, even if the company is rather STREAMLINED.

Can anyone tell me which companies offer sponsorship for type ratings? And how do they get their money back? Also, if you are lucky enough to be sponsored through a type rating with a view to employment after it, do you get paid during yourtraining? Thanx

Diff Ident

Mostly companies will pay for your type rating and pay you while you train if they are taking you on as an employee, contract or otherwise. They get their money back by bonding you - varies between 3 and 5 years to my knowledge. They make you repay a percentage of a nominal training cost if you leave within the specified time.

It can be a reasonable way of getting a type rating - but be aware that the cost can be very high if you leave with a large percentage of bond owing.

Obi Wan Kirk,

off topic I know, but I notice you reside in Bergamo. I spent the most wonderful week in Bergamo about 5 years ago. Dinner in the square and walking around the old town was quite majestic.

Does that mean you fly from the Milan airports?

Sorry to ramble on, but no E-Mail address available. Guess I was reminiscing....

You got it HS! Wow I fall for these things everytime. I reckon if I hadn't got some opinions first I probably would have gone for it! As a matter of fact I'm now thinking of getting a citation type rating in Finland!(joke)

Cheers Folks your views are much appreciated.