Air Japan (AJX) B767
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Broomstick Flyer,
If you're type rated on the 767 then you will be able to do the shorter course IF they manage to pair you up with another type rated pilot. Basically you don't have to do the 767 groundschool or the systems trainer thing (an FMC trainer etc) and you don't do the type rating exam or sim check ride. You will train for the ATPL check only, although it is all the same stuff. In all you save approximately 3 weeks to 1 month.
DF,
No, you can't go straight to the 787. In fact nobody is going to the 787 at the moment because they've suspended the conversions courses while they try and get their engines sorted out. It doesn't matter to ANA that they will have to type rate you on the 767 and then the 787 later. There are plenty of people ahead of you to convert and they will do that according to the date of joining. At the moment you can't even bid to convert for the first year.
As far as bringing your family is concerned, nothing has changed form the previous advice I gave you. You could have them in the apartment during the initial training and then in the hotel during your OJT. Only you will know if that arrangement will work but if you expect them to pay for an extra room in the hotel or give you any preferential treatment because you have a baby in Japan then forget it. As far as they are concerned they are providing you with accommodation during training....which is not an unreasonable approach to take. As for their attitude towards family; well, they're certainly a bit different but if you want to work in their country then you put up with the way they do things. Japanese men live to work and many of them think we are the same. Most of the Japanese pilots assigned to AJX understand the difference but the general Japanese populace wouldn't have a clue that their thinking is not the same as everywhere else. If I had a one year-old with me then I wouldn't even mention it to them. Just get on with the training and no-one will be any the wiser. Of course, if those living arrangements do affect your performance then they will not make any allowance for the fact that you chose to have your family there and nor should they.
If you're type rated on the 767 then you will be able to do the shorter course IF they manage to pair you up with another type rated pilot. Basically you don't have to do the 767 groundschool or the systems trainer thing (an FMC trainer etc) and you don't do the type rating exam or sim check ride. You will train for the ATPL check only, although it is all the same stuff. In all you save approximately 3 weeks to 1 month.
DF,
No, you can't go straight to the 787. In fact nobody is going to the 787 at the moment because they've suspended the conversions courses while they try and get their engines sorted out. It doesn't matter to ANA that they will have to type rate you on the 767 and then the 787 later. There are plenty of people ahead of you to convert and they will do that according to the date of joining. At the moment you can't even bid to convert for the first year.
As far as bringing your family is concerned, nothing has changed form the previous advice I gave you. You could have them in the apartment during the initial training and then in the hotel during your OJT. Only you will know if that arrangement will work but if you expect them to pay for an extra room in the hotel or give you any preferential treatment because you have a baby in Japan then forget it. As far as they are concerned they are providing you with accommodation during training....which is not an unreasonable approach to take. As for their attitude towards family; well, they're certainly a bit different but if you want to work in their country then you put up with the way they do things. Japanese men live to work and many of them think we are the same. Most of the Japanese pilots assigned to AJX understand the difference but the general Japanese populace wouldn't have a clue that their thinking is not the same as everywhere else. If I had a one year-old with me then I wouldn't even mention it to them. Just get on with the training and no-one will be any the wiser. Of course, if those living arrangements do affect your performance then they will not make any allowance for the fact that you chose to have your family there and nor should they.
I would make it clear to them we are doing them the favour by being here not the other way round...so in my case just dont bother going!
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You are probably right, I wont put up with that nonsense and allow myself to be treated like a second class citizen...life is too short!
And that’s certainly your perogative.
If however you want to be an expat pilot you play by the rules of the train operator or don’t play at all.
Grass isn’t always greener, but the few I know here certainly enjoy the off time benefits! Sometimes in life one needs to give to get, well if that’s what’s wanted.
If however you want to be an expat pilot you play by the rules of the train operator or don’t play at all.
Grass isn’t always greener, but the few I know here certainly enjoy the off time benefits! Sometimes in life one needs to give to get, well if that’s what’s wanted.
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I have no problem with any of that but there still needs to be professionalism, a just culture and to treat your employees like human beings...
Not we gave you a job so be subservient and grateful for life because now we own you mentality...who in their right mind wants to put up with that crap!!
Not we gave you a job so be subservient and grateful for life because now we own you mentality...who in their right mind wants to put up with that crap!!
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We seem to be going in circles on this thread.
There is a lot of good information on T&C, quality of life etc. in this thread.
How ever the issue of training and specifically the length of training keeps popping up in various questions and theories about possible workarounds.
Forget it people, there is no way around it. This is a very good gig and the price af admission is 6-8 month in Tokyo/Narita getting used to the lokal way of doing things, typed and checked to line.
I realize this can be difficult to grasp if one works someplace where a type rating can be done in 2 weeks, but thats not the case here.
My advise for anyone interested in this job is to sit down with Your loved ones and find out if You have the support to do this.
Sincerely
HD
There is a lot of good information on T&C, quality of life etc. in this thread.
How ever the issue of training and specifically the length of training keeps popping up in various questions and theories about possible workarounds.
Forget it people, there is no way around it. This is a very good gig and the price af admission is 6-8 month in Tokyo/Narita getting used to the lokal way of doing things, typed and checked to line.
I realize this can be difficult to grasp if one works someplace where a type rating can be done in 2 weeks, but thats not the case here.
My advise for anyone interested in this job is to sit down with Your loved ones and find out if You have the support to do this.
Sincerely
HD
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Great information folks... Questions: & I’m sorry if they were posted before.
1. Does anyone have any recent info for the interview, atp 25 question test (what chapters to study in ATP), and sim evaluation. I’m currently waiting to hear back about an interview show date.
2. Also, will the JCAB B767 rating be recognized by the FAA?
1. Does anyone have any recent info for the interview, atp 25 question test (what chapters to study in ATP), and sim evaluation. I’m currently waiting to hear back about an interview show date.
2. Also, will the JCAB B767 rating be recognized by the FAA?
Last edited by Kyapitan; 21st Oct 2018 at 13:33.
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Broomstick Flyer,
If you're type rated on the 767 then you will be able to do the shorter course IF they manage to pair you up with another type rated pilot. Basically you don't have to do the 767 groundschool or the systems trainer thing (an FMC trainer etc) and you don't do the type rating exam or sim check ride. You will train for the ATPL check only, although it is all the same stuff. In all you save approximately 3 weeks to 1 month.
If you're type rated on the 767 then you will be able to do the shorter course IF they manage to pair you up with another type rated pilot. Basically you don't have to do the 767 groundschool or the systems trainer thing (an FMC trainer etc) and you don't do the type rating exam or sim check ride. You will train for the ATPL check only, although it is all the same stuff. In all you save approximately 3 weeks to 1 month.
Now a more operational question, on my current outfit we are allowed to do a lot of hand flying, sometimes visual approaches, provided we comply with the stabilisation gates. Is this the case with AJX? I really enjoy flying the plane and "aviate" (not only push buttons). How is this seen within the company?
Thanks for your contributions over the years,
BF
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In theory yes, sice that’s that a very big item in the copilots sim checks, VMC circuit. In practice, they will have a ****brick if you click everything off and go “raw data”. “Maybe not ok” is a very typical response here to almost all the expats. Not a bad gig, many good people here, time off is great, confirmed seat home is gold, but it all
comes at a price. Do your homework and come in open minded. Japan is a wonderful country, but not an easy one.
comes at a price. Do your homework and come in open minded. Japan is a wonderful country, but not an easy one.
Last edited by atlanticjet; 20th Oct 2018 at 04:37.
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Yeah, as Atlanticjet says you need to choose your audience. As far as most of the Japanese are concerned first officers are unable to fly because they are not captains and only captains really have all the skills, experience and know-how to fly an aircraft. We know that is complete tosh but I think this is bred into them through dealing with their cadet training system that really doesn't train pilots but radio operators. All that piloty stuff is learnt on the line and, since they're learning, all FOs must be treated as students and can't be trusted 
The important thing is you won't be flying with that many Japanese pilots (eventually) and the bloke in the other seat is likely to be much more 'normal' in the ways that you're used to. As far as I'm concerned if the weather is appropriate and by you hand flying you're not going to totally overwork me i.e. enough to reduce my already lacklustre abilities, then fill your boots. Turn everything off (but keep the engines going please) and have fun hand flying. If we can squeeze a visual circuit out of someone then go ahead and enjoy flying your big Cessna. There may be one or two 'Westerners' who don't share my thoughts on the matter but, for the most part, when you're not flying with a Japanese pilot then you can click it out and have fun. But see the first sentence again :-)
The important thing is you won't be flying with that many Japanese pilots (eventually) and the bloke in the other seat is likely to be much more 'normal' in the ways that you're used to. As far as I'm concerned if the weather is appropriate and by you hand flying you're not going to totally overwork me i.e. enough to reduce my already lacklustre abilities, then fill your boots. Turn everything off (but keep the engines going please) and have fun hand flying. If we can squeeze a visual circuit out of someone then go ahead and enjoy flying your big Cessna. There may be one or two 'Westerners' who don't share my thoughts on the matter but, for the most part, when you're not flying with a Japanese pilot then you can click it out and have fun. But see the first sentence again :-)
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Fratemate and Atlanticjet,
Many thanks for the answers. Very clarifying. Choosing the audience is something I already do on my gig, but low levels (or none) of automation are not frowned upon.
Is age vs. experience an issue? I started to fly later on my career (have been doing flight operations jobs since the mid-90s, though), but have been flying commercially since 2011, and I am a bit shy of 5K hours, with 44 years.
Cheers
BF
Many thanks for the answers. Very clarifying. Choosing the audience is something I already do on my gig, but low levels (or none) of automation are not frowned upon.
Is age vs. experience an issue? I started to fly later on my career (have been doing flight operations jobs since the mid-90s, though), but have been flying commercially since 2011, and I am a bit shy of 5K hours, with 44 years.
Cheers
BF
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Good Day Pilots,
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
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Good Day Pilots,
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
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Good Day Pilots,
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
At AJX while flying cargo. Is it an well oiled machine like UPS & FedEx thus, having cargo masters & weight & balance computations completed. Or does the pilot crew, have to get their uniforms dirty (load cargo) and perform weight & balance computations...
There are a few things here that will make you shake your head, but outside of your walkaround, there is an army of people wearing white helmets and gloves that deal with that nonsense!
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Fratemate and Atlanticjet,
Many thanks for the answers. Very clarifying. Choosing the audience is something I already do on my gig, but low levels (or none) of automation are not frowned upon.
Is age vs. experience an issue? I started to fly later on my career (have been doing flight operations jobs since the mid-90s, though), but have been flying commercially since 2011, and I am a bit shy of 5K hours, with 44 years.
Cheers
BF
Many thanks for the answers. Very clarifying. Choosing the audience is something I already do on my gig, but low levels (or none) of automation are not frowned upon.
Is age vs. experience an issue? I started to fly later on my career (have been doing flight operations jobs since the mid-90s, though), but have been flying commercially since 2011, and I am a bit shy of 5K hours, with 44 years.
Cheers
BF
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Hello gents! Any of you hanging around Narita on Saturday (3rd) interested in trading beers for interview advice? I've got a layover this weekend...PM me!
SM
SM
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Question abt base in NRT
Where/what do u guys stay in when back in NRT?
How abt transport if u start/finish a duty not within train operation timing? I know Japan taxi charges are not for the faint hearted
Thanks
Where/what do u guys stay in when back in NRT?
How abt transport if u start/finish a duty not within train operation timing? I know Japan taxi charges are not for the faint hearted
Thanks