Ryanair command

[archer_737]

Hi there;

I've been looking for Ryanair posts and found comments about taxes in different bases, rostering, etc, but couldn't fine what I'm looking for.

So, how long for a DEFO (4000+ on type) to be offered the command upgrade if joining the company now?

Thanks for the heads-up.

[Aluminium shuffler]

A year or so, depending on the results of your LPC/OPC and other assessments/checks before you got a command selection/grooming sequence of flights. You would also need to complete the whole "Route to Command" self study and checking system, which is divided into three sections normally done one per year.

It's hard to find a slot in a UK or Ireland base - most are in southern or eastern Europe.

[skyflyer737]

I would count on about a year to be in the upgrade process and to be in the left seat within 18 months if successful and your initial LST and subsequent recurrent sims go well

[skyrambler]

3 years, you will have to go through all RSTs

[Aluminium shuffler]

I doubt it, Skyrambler - how many of the RSTs have the DECs done? The whole RTC study, yes, but that can be done in a few weeks.

[skyflyer737]

I'm pretty sure Aluminium is right. You don't need to do all RSTs. You'll need a winter in Ryanair, approx 3000hrs TT with 1500 on type and as Aluminium said, the RTC modules can be done very quickly. Ryanair need Capts as soon as possible so it could be a fairly quick command upgrade.

[Avenger]

Minimum 12 months to start process then if no problems LHS within 18 months if all criteria are met. As with any airline, "shortage" is relative and usually applies to training capacity not candidates.

[archer_737]

Regarding the bases, being an Spanish guy wouldn't worry that much about the southern Europe bases, kind of prefer it actually.

I talked to a friend of a friend, just yesterday, it took 6 months for him to upgrade to the LHS which honestly doesn't seam to match what we're reading here.
I guess is a matter of timing and base.

Nevermind, got an idea. Let's say something around the year or year and a half. Obviously considering you get through all training and sims, quite an industry standard I would say.

[Skyjob]

Sorry guys, incorrect.
These are the requirements as set forth:

• At least 21 years of age
• Class 1 medical
• Unfrozen ATPL
• 3000hrs total flight time.
• 800 hrs in command, 500hrs on type for direct entry Captains operation conversion course.
  
• 800 hrs on type including one Winter season for Ryanair Command Upgrade.
  

Given the fact you need 1 winter season for Ryanair, this thus infers that after joining, you will complete 2 LCK to Good standard minimum, but not all RST's.
RTCs are for FO Upgrade only, not DECs, but it would be wise as a DEC to read them anyway.

[archer_737]

Skyjob;

Thanks, that match what this guy told me yesterday. I guess he joined the company later last summer, did 1 winter season and got promoted.
Guess if you join them on summer then you'll go through summer + winter and then the course. That makes it between 6 months and 1 year.

Thank you.

[Kirks gusset]

You must do a " winter season" plus two LPCs, counting the one when you join that makes minimum one year plus the conversion course and line sectors. Probably 18 Months is realistic. '" fast track" as they call it.

[archer_737]

Thanks.

Well, call it fast track, fair enough. Could not think of any faster command upgrade now besides the program in LionAir

IMHO 18 months is still well in the limits of being called fast track. Option is QR and 4 years in the sandpit as FO, that will be a hot-slow option I'd say.

[de facto]

Make yourself a favor and go to Ryan Air,get an upgrade and let the world be your oyster-

[nick14]

Don't need to do 2 LPCs, two checks which could include the OPCS therefore a recommendation could be made after 800hrs and 6 months however I'm not sure you could get 800hrs and a winter in 6months.

[Avenger]

I am perfectly sure! impossible to get 800 hrs and a winter in 6 months, thats 1600 hrs a year!

[zerotohero]

Some pretty accurate advice posted and some close to accurate. From my experience (I was a cadet and upgraded to captain in Ryanair) You need two good sim checks under your belt in a row. As its there train set the training dept could take your OCC as 1 sim meaning 6 months later you do your 2nd. 800 hours could be 8 months with the way some boys fly in Ryanair. Also at discretion of the base TRE and training dept you could do your assessment flights as you approach the required hours in company provided you already met the minimum hours and ATPL etc then get straight on an upgrade course.

My point is you could do it in less than a year for sure. You would need all your ducks in a row for that. But lets be honest 18months is a quick command. Its hard to learn a new company and the way they play the game internally and that can slow you down a bit.

Best of luck.

[RAT 5]

Does the 'winter season' mean you MUST have been exposed to some of the more inclement Scandinavian meteo? A season in the Med might not get you further north than UK. Sounds sensible on paper, but a stint having to make decisions in the cold and freezing is very educational.

[Aluminium shuffler]

It's a good idea, the winter season bit, but no, Rat, it doesn't mean you have to go through a certain number of contaminated ops. I'm sure that is the intent, and it would be useful, but chance has a lot to do with whether it actually happens. Some bases do numerous flights into airports with hard winters, most bases probably, but some only have one or two routes that might do so and perhaps to airports that are well geared up to cope so the issue is well mitigated, losing that training benefit. Then there are the bases that will suffer the conditions directly, like Skavska and Kaunas. I wouldn't fancy being based in either for winter!