Shortage of quality pilots in the UK?
I sense there is a developing shortage in the part of the heli world I am from, too. We dont seem to be able to get our 'relief' pilots as readily as we used to.
I still keep in touch with the lads in the mil (2 of my line pilots are in the reserves) and improving pay and 'conditions' (overall) within the mil are stemming the outflow. This must have an impact then? On top of a shrinking (mil) workforce too.
Flungdung: I dont want to teach you to suck eggs, but CV's went out with the ark when I used to sail!!!
You've got to be a LOT more agressive than that to get that job youre after. Get your face down there and do some talking
What limits: the big(ish) boys do train their own: Bristows / BASL and even Premiair!
Money is still cr*p at the end of it though
I still keep in touch with the lads in the mil (2 of my line pilots are in the reserves) and improving pay and 'conditions' (overall) within the mil are stemming the outflow. This must have an impact then? On top of a shrinking (mil) workforce too.
Flungdung: I dont want to teach you to suck eggs, but CV's went out with the ark when I used to sail!!!
You've got to be a LOT more agressive than that to get that job youre after. Get your face down there and do some talking
What limits: the big(ish) boys do train their own: Bristows / BASL and even Premiair!
Money is still cr*p at the end of it though
Flungdung:
Our 'relief' pilots come from big service providers. They advertise constantly. Yet the barrell seems to be drying up or atleast takes some time to replenish by comparison to say, 3+ years ago.
6 jobs in 16 years....Mmmmmm.
It's all cyclical anyway, this time there's a shortage, 'x' years from now, a surplus....what's new?
Remember the thread we ran for highest and lowest paid helo pilots [£15000 - £150,000]. I doubt whether thats changed much and that 70% are leaning towards the lower end of the scale. Perhaps that's why there is a shrtoage of qualified pilots:
Too many rules.
Too many exams.
Too many checks.
Too little remuneration.
The young pilots of today are spotting it a mile off and deciding with their heads and not their hearts!
Blah over
Our 'relief' pilots come from big service providers. They advertise constantly. Yet the barrell seems to be drying up or atleast takes some time to replenish by comparison to say, 3+ years ago.
6 jobs in 16 years....Mmmmmm.
It's all cyclical anyway, this time there's a shortage, 'x' years from now, a surplus....what's new?
Remember the thread we ran for highest and lowest paid helo pilots [£15000 - £150,000]. I doubt whether thats changed much and that 70% are leaning towards the lower end of the scale. Perhaps that's why there is a shrtoage of qualified pilots:
Too many rules.
Too many exams.
Too many checks.
Too little remuneration.
The young pilots of today are spotting it a mile off and deciding with their heads and not their hearts!
Blah over
Hovering AND talking
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TC,
exactly!
Let's, for argument's sake, say, I would make a quality pilot. However, I would have to consider putting half a house on the line to get the necessary experience and qualifications to be such. When there are so few positions as a helicopter pilot, paying not enough to get the half house back, I think with head.
I find this a bizarre thread; on the one hand, a deficit of pilots and, on other threads, a surplus since the off-shore boys aren't recruiting etc.
So... what makes quality? and where are the shortages? Because, as I have gathered from previous threads, the only way to get the hours would be to work as an instructor (which is more hour-building and training).
If quality means ex-military, well that's a lot of people excluded since so few get trained that way and only if you have had the presence of mind in your 20s to do it!!
However, if maturity, people-skills and flexibilty are the key, then hey, I should be up there! But, it seems to me, as if the ******-in-the-woodpile is the insurance requirement placed on operators.
However, would like to have deficit/surplus dichotomy explained!
Cheers
Whirlygig
exactly!
Let's, for argument's sake, say, I would make a quality pilot. However, I would have to consider putting half a house on the line to get the necessary experience and qualifications to be such. When there are so few positions as a helicopter pilot, paying not enough to get the half house back, I think with head.
I find this a bizarre thread; on the one hand, a deficit of pilots and, on other threads, a surplus since the off-shore boys aren't recruiting etc.
So... what makes quality? and where are the shortages? Because, as I have gathered from previous threads, the only way to get the hours would be to work as an instructor (which is more hour-building and training).
If quality means ex-military, well that's a lot of people excluded since so few get trained that way and only if you have had the presence of mind in your 20s to do it!!
However, if maturity, people-skills and flexibilty are the key, then hey, I should be up there! But, it seems to me, as if the ******-in-the-woodpile is the insurance requirement placed on operators.
However, would like to have deficit/surplus dichotomy explained!
Cheers
Whirlygig
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Imabell -
I've flown with 17,000 hour pilots who I wouldn't trust with a pram, and 200 hour pilots whom I would trust with anything - just because someone has low time, doesn't mean they are not quality.
Phil
I've flown with 17,000 hour pilots who I wouldn't trust with a pram, and 200 hour pilots whom I would trust with anything - just because someone has low time, doesn't mean they are not quality.
Phil
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paco,
i agree whole heartedly with you, some low time pilots are exceptional.
i was only pointing out that the thread started out about quality not qualified. some qualified pilots aren't worth feeding.
i would hire a low time "quality" pilot anytime.
graeme
i agree whole heartedly with you, some low time pilots are exceptional.
i was only pointing out that the thread started out about quality not qualified. some qualified pilots aren't worth feeding.
i would hire a low time "quality" pilot anytime.
graeme
oooeee, touched a raw nerve there flungdung,eh?
Atleast I'll have a pension...
Leaving the mil after 12 years and changing jobs, on average every 30 months gets you a pension...not!
I note you've only been in your current OZ job less than a year. If I was you CP, I'd be concerned.......
You're not a rotary romany are you?
no hard feelings eh?
Atleast I'll have a pension...
Leaving the mil after 12 years and changing jobs, on average every 30 months gets you a pension...not!
I note you've only been in your current OZ job less than a year. If I was you CP, I'd be concerned.......
You're not a rotary romany are you?
no hard feelings eh?
Thread Starter
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When I started this thread I realised that it might hit a raw nerve or two.
The big problem we have here in the UK unless you're established in the market and fly a variety of types, work can be hard to come by. Most of the operators depend on word of mouth to get pilots.
The work here is very seasonal (March-September).
Those regulars in the system have started their lifes (outside of the North sea) as weekend B206 jockeys then develop into the weekday charter market understand that you do need to get out and about. People get to see faces and meet at the events, i.e Cheltenham to the Grand Prix. Therefore when the word of mouth starts someone knows someone who might help.
This year it has been noticable that there are less pilots available to the operators for short notice work. A few pilots do spread themselves rather thin by working for 3-4 companies. A few pilots when they get a job try and tuck up the customer therefore do not get any more work from that company, and a few pilots talk out of school regarding jobs (flights) they have been on.
Quality pilots are those you can trust to do the job, ask few questions and relate well to the customer. Yes, experience does count but so does loyalty to the operator.
The work is there for those who can conduct themselves profesionally, then word of mouth works. "Yes he or she are good pilots they will not let you down". It takes time to bed into the market, keep your nose clean, say hello to the aloof looking pilots with their starch shirts, gold bars and dark sun glasses, they are not looking down at you, they just can't see you.
Become a Quality pilot!! (Remember Quality is a degree of excellence).
The big problem we have here in the UK unless you're established in the market and fly a variety of types, work can be hard to come by. Most of the operators depend on word of mouth to get pilots.
The work here is very seasonal (March-September).
Those regulars in the system have started their lifes (outside of the North sea) as weekend B206 jockeys then develop into the weekday charter market understand that you do need to get out and about. People get to see faces and meet at the events, i.e Cheltenham to the Grand Prix. Therefore when the word of mouth starts someone knows someone who might help.
This year it has been noticable that there are less pilots available to the operators for short notice work. A few pilots do spread themselves rather thin by working for 3-4 companies. A few pilots when they get a job try and tuck up the customer therefore do not get any more work from that company, and a few pilots talk out of school regarding jobs (flights) they have been on.
Quality pilots are those you can trust to do the job, ask few questions and relate well to the customer. Yes, experience does count but so does loyalty to the operator.
The work is there for those who can conduct themselves profesionally, then word of mouth works. "Yes he or she are good pilots they will not let you down". It takes time to bed into the market, keep your nose clean, say hello to the aloof looking pilots with their starch shirts, gold bars and dark sun glasses, they are not looking down at you, they just can't see you.
Become a Quality pilot!! (Remember Quality is a degree of excellence).
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I gained my CPL(H) back in March, but having spent all my money I haven't flown since. Low hours (240tt, including 206 rating) mean no work. I can't afford any more hour building toward the 300 needed for the instructors course.So to me the old system would have been a lot better! When companys say theres a pilot shortage what they mean is they want multi thousand hour pilots available at short notice at low cost!!!
Jarvy
Keep plugging away at the big operators. If you want the job, your CV needs to be the one at the top of the pile when the Chief Pilot has a vacancy to fill.
Don't forget the corporate operators that operate two pilots, just keep firing the CV's at them.
Good Luck
TeeS
Keep plugging away at the big operators. If you want the job, your CV needs to be the one at the top of the pile when the Chief Pilot has a vacancy to fill.
Don't forget the corporate operators that operate two pilots, just keep firing the CV's at them.
Good Luck
TeeS
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Jarvy,
Hang in there, have you not heard the rumour that the TT hours to start the Instructors course is dropping to 250.
Last bit I heard was direct from the CAA, and new regs may be in place by end of summer if admin bods within the Ivory Towers can get their fingers working and issue the AIC
Hang in there, have you not heard the rumour that the TT hours to start the Instructors course is dropping to 250.
Last bit I heard was direct from the CAA, and new regs may be in place by end of summer if admin bods within the Ivory Towers can get their fingers working and issue the AIC
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Heard rumours some time ago from a very good source but I know how quick the CAA move! As soon as it does change to 250hrs I will beg, steal or borrow money for instructors course.
Thanks for the support!!
Thanks for the support!!
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Hi long time reader first time poster,
In reply to the shortage of QUALITY pilots available at the moment i feel that you need to look at the source.
Mil are paying their chaps handsomely and offering various incentives to stay, this may change in the not to distant future with cuts forecast.
Civil, cost. I instruct, as well as other things, and have seen the huge cost someone has to endure to gain their initial foothold in this very small market, here in UK anyway. Then they must try and get their first paying job, and we all know that is very difficult with limited hours and experience.
Quality does require a bit of time, not the huge amount of hours some jobs require bit enough to be competent and relaxed in the aircraft with paying passengers. Unfortunately the cost of training will reduce the amount of bodies available for this market.
In reply to the shortage of QUALITY pilots available at the moment i feel that you need to look at the source.
Mil are paying their chaps handsomely and offering various incentives to stay, this may change in the not to distant future with cuts forecast.
Civil, cost. I instruct, as well as other things, and have seen the huge cost someone has to endure to gain their initial foothold in this very small market, here in UK anyway. Then they must try and get their first paying job, and we all know that is very difficult with limited hours and experience.
Quality does require a bit of time, not the huge amount of hours some jobs require bit enough to be competent and relaxed in the aircraft with paying passengers. Unfortunately the cost of training will reduce the amount of bodies available for this market.
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I would add to Greenarrow's definition of a quality pilot. It's one who:
Has a professional attitude
Does not crash the aircraft
Does not scare the passengers
Turns up on time
Doesn't hand out his own business cards
Fills in the forms right
Has a modest amount of flying experience - enough to know how not to get into trouble
Phil
Has a professional attitude
Does not crash the aircraft
Does not scare the passengers
Turns up on time
Doesn't hand out his own business cards
Fills in the forms right
Has a modest amount of flying experience - enough to know how not to get into trouble
Phil
