Flybe
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: A different hotel to the one crewing told me...
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And don't forget.....
You will find that in the majority of cases re blocks of duty, you WILL start your block on an early and finish it on a late....
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
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I'm 145 rated with 1000 on type (FO time) and 2100 TT but not that bothered about flying the Dash if I could live in SOU. Sounds like getting that base is unlikely but lets say if I did get it, how long would a Dash command take? Ie. are they upgrading people at 2500 hrs TT or would there be a fairly big queue?
How popular is Exeter? I'd be happy there too. My current base is just too far north for the long-term. Maybe I should just apply and ask them these questions if I get an interview...
How popular is Exeter? I'd be happy there too. My current base is just too far north for the long-term. Maybe I should just apply and ask them these questions if I get an interview...
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Scotland
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Same as anywhere Mungo, for command you'll have to join the seniority queue, also you will need 500hrs on type with flybe before you are eligible.
Basing depends on demand, SOU is popular so you'll have to join the queue here too, I know of 2-3 F/Os who have joined there having bid for it with only 8 month's service so you pays your money you take your chance.
Exeter is popular too, fair few new F/Os started recently so chances of being given it straight off will be reasonably slim, but again you never know.
CC
Basing depends on demand, SOU is popular so you'll have to join the queue here too, I know of 2-3 F/Os who have joined there having bid for it with only 8 month's service so you pays your money you take your chance.
Exeter is popular too, fair few new F/Os started recently so chances of being given it straight off will be reasonably slim, but again you never know.
CC
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Iver, ref 195
Fabulous bit of kit - makes the 'modern' Airbus look like a throwback to the 80's and don't even think of comparing it to the brown junk that passes for a Boeing flightdeck. Real nice machine to fly, and loads of toys for the lazy pilot.
You can bid for it from your very first bid, and if you are flexible on base, should be able to make it quite comfortably in 18 months from joining. Jet FOs have always been quicker to move on than the skippers, so not quite 'dead mans' shoes, but the process may be a little slower now given both the current economic climate and the high level of contentment amongst the operating crews in relation to the 146 which it replaced.
Well worth waiting for, and a type which I expect will become increasingly commonplace.
Fabulous bit of kit - makes the 'modern' Airbus look like a throwback to the 80's and don't even think of comparing it to the brown junk that passes for a Boeing flightdeck. Real nice machine to fly, and loads of toys for the lazy pilot.
You can bid for it from your very first bid, and if you are flexible on base, should be able to make it quite comfortably in 18 months from joining. Jet FOs have always been quicker to move on than the skippers, so not quite 'dead mans' shoes, but the process may be a little slower now given both the current economic climate and the high level of contentment amongst the operating crews in relation to the 146 which it replaced.
Well worth waiting for, and a type which I expect will become increasingly commonplace.
I Have Control
Join Date: May 2004
Location: North-West England
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New kit
Maude, ref 195
Tried a new-fit A330 recently, full CPDLC and all? They are not bad at all, even compared to the 195. Reliability is A1 too.
Tried a new-fit A330 recently, full CPDLC and all? They are not bad at all, even compared to the 195. Reliability is A1 too.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: CamelShitCity
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Maude
I still bet you are wishing you were flying the rubbish Boeing or the out of date Airbus lol....
The 195 is nearly on a par with the 737 or A319 but it just isnt.... so no matter how much you big it up its more on a par with the Emb 145 than an Airbus or Boeing.
Enjoy the BIG jet pal
I still bet you are wishing you were flying the rubbish Boeing or the out of date Airbus lol....
The 195 is nearly on a par with the 737 or A319 but it just isnt.... so no matter how much you big it up its more on a par with the Emb 145 than an Airbus or Boeing.
Enjoy the BIG jet pal
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I hope that one day I'm like 3REDS. It's my ultimate ambition. Imagine that, it would just be utopia. Surfing PPRuNE insulting as many people and organizations as possible. I can even visualize it now.....sat on my Airbus in a place far away from home with my shades on when it's dark and nicely polished orange, sorry gold bars. I would challenge anybody who didn't genuflect in my presence and tell me how they want to be in my position of superiority. I would damn to Hades anyone who possibly had the ignornace to be happy flying their current aircraft type close to home with a carrier I didn't approve of. Anyone who led a life free of contempt and jealousy of someone else would be blasted by my powerful autothrottle. I could go home and look in the mirror and grin to myself before I did my microwave meal for one. Then I would sit and wonder why everyone just smiles when I talk to them and no-one is my friend.
Enjoy the BIG chip pal
Enjoy the BIG chip pal
Last edited by FL370 Officeboy; 2nd Jul 2008 at 11:20.
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3REDS
In what way is the 195 not on a par with the Airbus?
OK, physically it is a SMALLER aircraft. But the guys above were specifically refering to the cockpit install and AC systems.
I have worked with BAE on the Airbus A320 family avionics and systems, and have just enough knowlege on them to be dangerous. I now fly the EMB145.
The 145 is everything the bus should have been. The 195 series only adds to that with some impressive navigation aids and extra goodies to make the flight deck an even nicer place to be.
In what way is the 195 not on a par with the Airbus?
OK, physically it is a SMALLER aircraft. But the guys above were specifically refering to the cockpit install and AC systems.
I have worked with BAE on the Airbus A320 family avionics and systems, and have just enough knowlege on them to be dangerous. I now fly the EMB145.
The 145 is everything the bus should have been. The 195 series only adds to that with some impressive navigation aids and extra goodies to make the flight deck an even nicer place to be.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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WW
If you transfer RHS to RHS, expect something like an extra £7K for the 195. Of course, this kit is only for folk who don't have any hang-ups about the size of their equipment.
If you transfer RHS to RHS, expect something like an extra £7K for the 195. Of course, this kit is only for folk who don't have any hang-ups about the size of their equipment.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
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Maude lol! Best post ive ever seen you do! Poss the only one I agree with to
What is the hang up with the size of the equipment? Never understood it! An airplane is an airplane!
Only diff I can see is the bigger they get the easier the job is!
Large underpants on back order
What is the hang up with the size of the equipment? Never understood it! An airplane is an airplane!
Only diff I can see is the bigger they get the easier the job is!Large underpants on back order
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Happened to be surfing around as the sad man I am and could not help but make a contribution. I am an Airbus Training Captain, and unashamedly love the beast. I do, however, recognise that the new Emb 195 and all its various offshoots are fine beasts too. I was on holiday in Egypt last year and got a brief flight deck visit and thought how good it looked. It does not have the sophisticated fly-by-wire stuff of the Airbus, but it has some magic little gizmos to entertain the crowds to offset that. I would really love to meet someone who has flown both to hear a genunine and insightful comparison. I do not include a previous contributor here who felt that having been an engineer on an Airbus he could make valid comparisons - he is simply not qualified to make the assertions he has done about the Embraer being everything the Airbus should have been. No doubt in time others will appear who have flown both, but generally speaking I would expect the journey between Embraer and Airbus to be one-way traffic. Nonetheless, it is clearly a very nice aircraft that I do not knock in any way. I would go as far as to say I would thoroughly enjoy flying it. However.....
The contributors here are missing the key point which is this - it is a completely worthless type rating! Why? Because no one else uses it (no one else I would wish to work for that is!). Please do not be insulted by that, but it is absolutely critical for young pilots to understand how vital 'useful' type-ratings are. I do not have a 737 rating, for example, and think it is a really old-fashioned and dreadful old machine. I do, however, genuinely wish I was rated on it. Why? Security, security, security! That is the key. When times get hard, as they are surely about to, being unemployed with an Embraer rating will be as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Until you have a Boeing or Airbus rating you are vulnerable - it is that simple. Again, please do not be insulted and hear what I am saying. I am not saying that the Embraer is rubbish or something similarly crass - I am saying that the rating is really of little value if you want safety in your career. The longer you fly the thing, the further away from a Boeing or an Airbus you are and the more tied to FlyBe you become. Great if you want to be a FlyBe TRE or whatever - disastrous if something goes wrong there. Five thousand hours on an Embraer will simply not cut it when you are up against guys with five thousand hours on a Boeing or an Airbus. Harsh - but absolutely true.
In short, the Embraer may be magnificent to fly - personally I prefer the Airbus, but that is irrelevant. What matters is future employability. You need an Airbus or a Boeing on your licence and the longer you leave it to get one the more vulnerable you become to downturns in the market. So my advice is this, get out of there as quickly as you can to take up a job that gives you the Boeing or Airbus rating. Nobody is debating whether the Embraer is or is not a good aircraft - what I am saying is that it is the wrong aircraft for a UK-based pilot to be rated on long term. Love it or hate it, Boeing or Airbus is where it is at. Sorry folks but that is the way it is.
Answers on a postcard please...
The contributors here are missing the key point which is this - it is a completely worthless type rating! Why? Because no one else uses it (no one else I would wish to work for that is!). Please do not be insulted by that, but it is absolutely critical for young pilots to understand how vital 'useful' type-ratings are. I do not have a 737 rating, for example, and think it is a really old-fashioned and dreadful old machine. I do, however, genuinely wish I was rated on it. Why? Security, security, security! That is the key. When times get hard, as they are surely about to, being unemployed with an Embraer rating will be as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Until you have a Boeing or Airbus rating you are vulnerable - it is that simple. Again, please do not be insulted and hear what I am saying. I am not saying that the Embraer is rubbish or something similarly crass - I am saying that the rating is really of little value if you want safety in your career. The longer you fly the thing, the further away from a Boeing or an Airbus you are and the more tied to FlyBe you become. Great if you want to be a FlyBe TRE or whatever - disastrous if something goes wrong there. Five thousand hours on an Embraer will simply not cut it when you are up against guys with five thousand hours on a Boeing or an Airbus. Harsh - but absolutely true.
In short, the Embraer may be magnificent to fly - personally I prefer the Airbus, but that is irrelevant. What matters is future employability. You need an Airbus or a Boeing on your licence and the longer you leave it to get one the more vulnerable you become to downturns in the market. So my advice is this, get out of there as quickly as you can to take up a job that gives you the Boeing or Airbus rating. Nobody is debating whether the Embraer is or is not a good aircraft - what I am saying is that it is the wrong aircraft for a UK-based pilot to be rated on long term. Love it or hate it, Boeing or Airbus is where it is at. Sorry folks but that is the way it is.
Answers on a postcard please...
Last edited by Norman Stanley Fletcher; 3rd Jul 2008 at 09:45.
Join Date: Nov 2000
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How dare you refer to the 737 as a dreadful old machine!
I'm dreading my Airbus course, though do feel very, very fortunate that I will have the two on my licence. You are right in what you say about the importance of a good rating, especially now.
I'm dreading my Airbus course, though do feel very, very fortunate that I will have the two on my licence. You are right in what you say about the importance of a good rating, especially now.
Gender Faculty Specialist
NSF, I believe you are pretty close to the mark with that post. However, can I just temper your opinion with one of my own.
The 195 is still pretty much in its infancy and has already proved itself to be efficient and reliable beyond expectations. I believe it is a very attractive proposition for the future. What with the downturn in the travel industry, and the upturn in fuel prices, smaller more efficient aircraft could become more popular, a la Dash 8.
With whispers of BMI interested in the 195 and a very feint whisper from Jet2 who knows how popular the 195 will become in the next decade or so. I, for one, shall wait and see.
And besides heavy jet time on any type wont do you any harm whatsoever.
But I agree with you...for now.
P.S. The 195 has got FBW, ok not as expansive as the Airbus, but it does have the all important Alpha Floor protection or whatever you Airbus lot call it.
The 195 is still pretty much in its infancy and has already proved itself to be efficient and reliable beyond expectations. I believe it is a very attractive proposition for the future. What with the downturn in the travel industry, and the upturn in fuel prices, smaller more efficient aircraft could become more popular, a la Dash 8.
With whispers of BMI interested in the 195 and a very feint whisper from Jet2 who knows how popular the 195 will become in the next decade or so. I, for one, shall wait and see.
And besides heavy jet time on any type wont do you any harm whatsoever.
But I agree with you...for now.
P.S. The 195 has got FBW, ok not as expansive as the Airbus, but it does have the all important Alpha Floor protection or whatever you Airbus lot call it.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Thanks NSF for your insight about what you should do with TR this present day. One thing you are forgetting as fuel prices get higher and higher old 737 will get brushed by the wayside eg one american carrier getting rid of 96 I believe, this will flood the market with 737 pilots useful TR.
As for the 195 well a new a/c family that I am sure will become more and more popular. Also if you are flybe you still have the Dash rating and in 1year time when oil is around the $200 mark, wonder how many of those Dash rated pilots come in handy.
Airbus and Boeing are not the only aircraft in the sky, think about it by virtue of the fact there is more of them there will be more pilots looking for jobs as more companies cut back or DIE.
My thoughts
Roller
As for the 195 well a new a/c family that I am sure will become more and more popular. Also if you are flybe you still have the Dash rating and in 1year time when oil is around the $200 mark, wonder how many of those Dash rated pilots come in handy.
Airbus and Boeing are not the only aircraft in the sky, think about it by virtue of the fact there is more of them there will be more pilots looking for jobs as more companies cut back or DIE.
My thoughts
Roller
Join Date: Dec 2004
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FL370
NSF's point is what i was trying to make but didnt have the time or the inclination to explain it. If you truly believe that a 195 rating is better than and airbus or boeing then that is up to you. If you polled a 100 pilots I bet at least 90% would go for the bus or boeing. No matter how sexy the cockpit or how new it is it is still a cr@p rating to have in UK whick was all i was trying to point out in my orig post.
Give me a boeing/airbus anyday you can keep your EMBarbie jet
NSF's point is what i was trying to make but didnt have the time or the inclination to explain it. If you truly believe that a 195 rating is better than and airbus or boeing then that is up to you. If you polled a 100 pilots I bet at least 90% would go for the bus or boeing. No matter how sexy the cockpit or how new it is it is still a cr@p rating to have in UK whick was all i was trying to point out in my orig post.
Give me a boeing/airbus anyday you can keep your EMBarbie jet
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Whilst I would be delighted to have a 737 or Airbus rating, I'm not paying for one, nor do I want to sit in the RHS for years again, just to fly a bigger aircraft. I totally see where NSF is coming from in that an Airbus or Boeing rating makes you more marketable, but there are many of us out there flying regional jets/tprops for a living with companies like Flybe, Eastern or BMIR who (shhh whisper it now) actually quite like it. I get to be based where I want, fly newish planes for a decent enough outfit with nice people and get home to my own bed at night. Many of my younger colleagues (including the FO I flew with this morning in fact) are off to BA or elsewhere and I am genuinely delighted for them. But for some of us a double Belfast or a Jersey and back will do nicely thanks and whether there are 30, 70 or 370 seats down the back bothers me not a jot. I just hope whatever we fly we get to keep the job we have as the oil price keeps rising.