Enough hours for a UK job?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 40
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From: Lusaka
Enough hours for a UK job?
I have 3600tt, with 300hours B737 ICAO ATPL, of which I'm currently
studying for the UK ATPL. Would the 300hrs 737 be enough for an f/o
position, or 500hrs on type be the 'magic mark?'
studying for the UK ATPL. Would the 300hrs 737 be enough for an f/o
position, or 500hrs on type be the 'magic mark?'
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
Two things jump out at me:
Firstly, A country must have issued your ATPL? ICAO don't issue any, and almost every country on Earth is a signatory to the ICAO. People sometimes seem very reluctant to state the country or authority of issue.
Secondly, why only 300 hours on a 737? There may be a perfectly good reason for this, but in the mind of an interviewer it suggests somebody who has either left their previous job rather quickly, or somebody who has paid for or struggled to come by this very limited experience.
300 hours or 500 hours? There is no particular magic mark, unless a minimum level of experience is required in a companies stipulated requirement. The competition is going to be tough in any event, and you don't really want to be raising "red flags" in your application.
Firstly, A country must have issued your ATPL? ICAO don't issue any, and almost every country on Earth is a signatory to the ICAO. People sometimes seem very reluctant to state the country or authority of issue.
Secondly, why only 300 hours on a 737? There may be a perfectly good reason for this, but in the mind of an interviewer it suggests somebody who has either left their previous job rather quickly, or somebody who has paid for or struggled to come by this very limited experience.
300 hours or 500 hours? There is no particular magic mark, unless a minimum level of experience is required in a companies stipulated requirement. The competition is going to be tough in any event, and you don't really want to be raising "red flags" in your application.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Lusaka
I have over 300 hours, the reason so little on the 737, is family reasons nothing more.
Not, been involved in an accident or incident and certainly not running away from
a mishap.
I hold an FAA ATPL.
Would like to try for the UK ATPL, therefore asking about the possibilities
in the UK.
Not, been involved in an accident or incident and certainly not running away from
a mishap.
I hold an FAA ATPL.
Would like to try for the UK ATPL, therefore asking about the possibilities
in the UK.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: UK
Balance of experience
What did you fly before the B737? You have over 3000 hours on other aircarft type - how did they come about? Effectively you are a low houred pilot on the B737 although perhaps not overall....
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 332
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From: UK
And how many total multi-crew hours do you have against the number of single pilot hours?
If you are originating from an operator with whom the perspective employer is unfamiliar with then there might be a questionmark as to whether you are training risk or not. Yes, to a certain extent that can be assessed, however it is acutely more pertient given that you are a low houred B737 FO and will be competing against guys fresh out of ab initio schools for a job...
...is it just the UK you want to work in or would you consider other locations in Europe?
If you are originating from an operator with whom the perspective employer is unfamiliar with then there might be a questionmark as to whether you are training risk or not. Yes, to a certain extent that can be assessed, however it is acutely more pertient given that you are a low houred B737 FO and will be competing against guys fresh out of ab initio schools for a job...
...is it just the UK you want to work in or would you consider other locations in Europe?
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 123
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From: uk
Without going into detailed analysis, you must have a JAA licence, the right to live and work in Europe and then you may stand in the long queue of European pilots competing for the few jobs available.
It's not going to be easy (but possible if you answered yes to the above) and will be very expensive if you are financing yourself on an African wage / savings.
This is probably not what you want to hear but it's the truth.
Good luck
It's not going to be easy (but possible if you answered yes to the above) and will be very expensive if you are financing yourself on an African wage / savings.
This is probably not what you want to hear but it's the truth.
Good luck
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: UK mainly
Dont waste your time with the UK thing, unless you have family ties of course in which case dig deep it'll make your eyes water for the conversion - I have done it and lived to tell the tale - but what about Vietnam,China South Korea, you have an ICAO ATPL go for it you have 300 boeing time hrs , turboprop time. I sincerely understand your just 'testing' opinion, but no one will tell you everything will be alright - it probably will with enough will power you know that already, however what do you want all of us to say?, come here, its great , plenty of work were crying out for people. Whatever you do best of luck.
p.s African wages? what the heck - its all dollars tax free Cessna 210/C208 pilots flying to the lodges in Afrika' have more disposable income than a 737 new hire here in JAA land in what apparently they call the first world.
p.s African wages? what the heck - its all dollars tax free Cessna 210/C208 pilots flying to the lodges in Afrika' have more disposable income than a 737 new hire here in JAA land in what apparently they call the first world.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: uk
African wage!
Not everyone in Africa is a contractor earning $$$$$. In fact, contractors form a minority of all African registered pilots. The rest earn local currency.
Most African currencies dont exchange well when changed into Euro or Sterling and salaries are related to the cost of living in that country - considerably less than Europe. I worked in Africa for 15 years and made the move to the UK so I also have some experience on the subject. I used a temporary move to the Middle East to be able to afford the expensive and time consuming conversion to JAR.
Looking to China I think is good advise.
Most African currencies dont exchange well when changed into Euro or Sterling and salaries are related to the cost of living in that country - considerably less than Europe. I worked in Africa for 15 years and made the move to the UK so I also have some experience on the subject. I used a temporary move to the Middle East to be able to afford the expensive and time consuming conversion to JAR.
Looking to China I think is good advise.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 369
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From: somewhere on this planet
Would the 300hrs 737 be enough for an f/o
position
position
