Long gaps between training and employment?
 

Hello,


I recently started on a distance learning course for the ATPL theory examinations. I aim to go the whole way and obtain the ME-CPL/ME-IR.

My question relates to the timing of my training and the way a potential employer might view it (especially the airlines). To explain, I am trying to fit the whole thing around a parallel academic education/career (University degree at the moment) too.

I started the theory course now as a bit of a calculated risk. I am at a point now where it is relatively easy to focus on the studying required, but I may not be able to actually do the flight training for a while. At the moment, by the time I am ready to do the CPL/IR it looks like I will only have about a year left to do it before the theory credits expire (slight possibility I will have two years). The first issue is that - will a potential employer view negatively the fact that I will likely be using up both the 18 months I have to pass all the exams in the first place and also the 36 months I have to complete the CPL/IR?

Secondly, at the moment, I am not 100% certain I will be at a point where I would want to enter straight into employment after completing the CPL/IR in my currently expected timeframe. If I were to complete the CPL/IR, then, say, simply fly 1 or 2 hours a month in an SEP (to maintain currency) for about 2 years before committing to completing an MCC/JOC and actively searching for airline employment, would this also be viewed negatively?

I would just delay the CPL/IR until I am sure but I am limited by the theory credits validity. Also, I cannot delay starting the theory as I may not get as good a chance to study as I do now. And there is always the chance that I may want to do the CPL/IR and get started on an MCC/JOC straight away after all, in which case having gotten the theory out of the way now would be a huge plus.

I have had a look at typical ab-initio job openings on airline recruitment pages, and there is often mention of the requirement to have valid licenses/ratings etc, a certain number of hours in the past 12 months and so on - but there is nothing about how recently the CPL/IR has to have been done.

As I understand it, the CPL/IR is probably the most significant training a pilot will undertake before starting a type rating and the more recent this experience is the better. Or am I exaggerating?

Finally, with regards to currency in this period after the CPL/IR, I can foresee being able to financially cope with an hour or two every month in an SEP, and also the costs associated with maintaining the validity of the IR. However, keeping the MEP class rating current may be tough. Is this a requirement for an airline job, and also is it possible to revalidate an MEIR without specifically having a valid MEP rating (I understand in that case the MEIR would not in itself grant me privileges on an MEP)?

Sorry to have rambled and I hope my post makes sense. Would appreciate any feedback!