Some advise please...
 

Morning,

I’m hoping someone can help me with this…

I’m off to Cabair in a few weeks to do the integrated course. I’ll be looking at coming out the other side right around Christmas 2009. I’m prepared for the fact that this is probably the quietest time of the year in the airline recruitment cycle (and added to that the jobs market is on its arse in general).

My question is how long do I have after graduating before I need to start worrying about licenses expiring etc.? Also, is there a stage when airlines may start to see you as getting ‘stale’ and would thus choose a more recent graduate over you? Is there anything I could do to mitigate against this should i find myself jobless after a few months?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Phil.

The only thing you will need to keep current will be the MEIR. Both the MEIR and also the MEP ratings will need revalidated after 12 months. For the first IR renewal you can do it in the sim. The second renewal would need to be done in the aircraft. As for the MEP rating, you dont need it to start a Type rating course, only the MEIR has to be current.

As for keeping yourself marketable, keep flying!!! Some airlines will require you to have flown either 35 or 50 hours in the 12 months preceeding an interview. Some dont have any time limits, but generally you need to show you've been flying. Glider towing, para dropping etc etc....are all good sources of flying time. Not easy to get but it certainly looks better on paper that you've done something rather than sit and wait for a phone call. Also consider safety pilot work, put yourself out and about and you never know what doors may open.

I think you should give up any hope of obtaining employment within a few months of leaving cabair. The chances of you getting an interview with an airline are slim consideing todays climate. If you really must start your training now consider all options. Plan to fly as an instructor for example, this will probably be one of a small amount of job options available to you.

Things aren't so bleak in my neck of the woods, and there is no sign that they are going to downturn like things are in the US and UK. Touching wood, praying, everything crossed, fingers and toes. At this time it is possible to get sponsored onto a type rating here with only 200 hours total, but you have to be up to the job as selection will cover everything and will make your IRST look like a walk in the park.

RIX