Heli to FW

[Johe02]

I have a CPL(H) and FI(H) with 1000 hrs tt - I'm am 56 and have been out of aviation for a few years and I am considering converting to FW and applying for jobs as a FO with an airline.
What chance have I got of getting some reasonable work?
Any other advice appreciated. .Cheers

[rudestuff]

I don't see why not if you can get an interview with the right airline, but getting that interview could be hard without the right contacts. Converting would mean 100 hours fixed wing and doing the ATPLs... Assuming any exams you've done have timed out.

[parabellum]

You will also require to have a fixed wing Instrument Rating, in my case, oh so many years ago, I had to do the IR training at an approved school, CSE Carlisle was my most convenient, course not less that 30 hours in a twin, ALL may have changed now. One way is to visit CAA with all log books and licences, evidence of military flying if applicable, and they will do a full assessment, their report will state exactly what you have to do, both written and flying.

[shy ted]

In theory there is no reason why not, and it would be illegal for an employer in the UK to discriminate against you on the basis of age but ..... I've got >4,000hrs TT, the majority day VFR instructing, all the required boxes ticked, have applied to all the usual suspects and haven't got anywhere.

It's impossible to say whether the fact I am 50 years old is the problem or if there is something else in my profile which is causing them to turn me down - a sample size of 1 is never going to be representative. Fortunately for me I already have a great flying job so it really isn't a big deal (maybe that is why they don't want me!).

Good luck if you decide to go for it!

[captplaystation]

Whilst any company will deny "ageism", what they will have no problem admitting to is seeking "experience commensurate with age", and you fall well short in this respect sorry to say.

I would be more than happy to be proven wrong, but have the feeling that coming back to Helo's may be a cheaper more painless way to re-ignite your aviation career (assuming that would be of interest to you )

A little further down the line, all being hunky- dory, you could try the conversion to FW as a "current pilot" , which would also help with getting employed.

Employers tend to shy away from "non-current" candidates regardless of age.

[Johe02]

Thanks for the reality check guys - I think getting in touch with the CAA is a good idea (but prob best through a school).

Where does the 100hrs come from 'rudestuff' ?

[Falck]

Hi,

Not sure but if your heli stuff is still valid?
Have you ever held a FW license? Than it could be a bit easier.
Ask CAA indeed.

What about the bizzJet scene? If you are flexible? It could bring more
relevant experience for an airline job eventually.

But it will be hard. All this MPL integraded schools fill up the seats of
the airlines.

Flying an helicopter is much more rewarding for your flyingskills.
That is almost none excisting in the Airline flying world.

And in the end it is a job. It needs to pay the bills.

Good luck.

[rudestuff]

100 hours comes from Cap804, which says you need 200 hours for a CPL(A) but can credit 100 hours of helicopter flight time if you hold a CPL(H).
*It also says you need 100 hours PIC, but this can be helicopter time as well - I got a CPL(A) & MEIR issued with less than 70 hours PIC. The only thing you actually need aeroplane PIC for is an MEP rating which I didn't bother with.

[4468]

johe02

You don't really say why you want to leave helicopters behind, and fly as an airline f/o for what will be perhaps 8 years? (if you are very lucky!)

If you have loads of cash, and just want to scratch an itch, then fair enough, but I can't really see any other sensible reason? As I say, you'll be very lucky to gain any decent employment.

[jayteeto]

At 54, with 7.5k hours (7k rotary) and held a UK ATPL now JAR CPL aeroplanes. Line training captain with my current rotary job. H & A instrument ratings current.
I am having to jump through all the hoops for an airline job, going nowhere fast. £5000 to renew my aeroplanes IR last month (6 hours flying time only plus 6 sim).
Your reality check is me! It's going to cost you with absolutely no guarantee of a job.
Sorry

[KyleRB]

Originally Posted by Johe02

I have a CPL(H) and FI(H) with 1000 hrs tt - I'm am 56 and have been out of aviation for a few years and I am considering converting to FW and applying for jobs as a FO with an airline.
What chance have I got of getting some reasonable work?
Any other advice appreciated. .Cheers

Save yourself a shed load of heartache and money and don't even go there! Sorry to say this but you are so far behind the drag curve in terms of relevant recent experience and age. If you are sensible and a realist you will quickly realise this.

Age discrimination is illegal but airlines know that at your age you will be slower to learn (cost more), harder to teach (cost more) and a more risky option (read safety) compared to someone 20 years younger with more recent and relevant flying experience. It all comes down to money and risk.

[avtur007]

Fixed wing

I left flying fixed wing about 5 years ago with 4500hrs on B737. I left because of all the sacrifices my family were making for me and in my wife's words- 'to have no life to do a job a trained monkey can do and be miserable doing it'. I often dream of going back to flying jets but the reality is that it sounds great but I would loose everything I have built up, probably end up alone in some crap hole and have nothing but the badge saying I'm a pilot to show for it. Of course the flying itch will always be there but I'm looking at doing some scenic flights from the local club to scratch that itch and deep down I'm not convinced that trying to restart flying as a career is a good choice even though I'm still only 40 and could provide years of service.

[parabellum]

With all due respect to your good lady avtur007, I would be rather suspect of advice that came from someone who thinks airline flying is, " a job a trained monkey can do and be miserable doing it"! doesn't display a particularly deep understanding of the job overall!

[Skipping Classes]

parabellum, i think with the self-driving cars becoming the reality in just a few year's time, avtur007 wife is more or less correct if you don't take the word 'monkey' literally.

[M-ONGO]

What about the bizzJet scene? If you are flexible?

Biz jets generally do not recruit low timers. The OP has little or no chance of going down that route.

Age will be an issue for the airlines (and charter biz jets), regardless of what HR policy dictates.

[avtur007]

Ape

Parabellum, no offence intended it was just a play on words. If we got to fly around like maverick and goose doing loops and fly-bys then my wives phrase would maybe be less appropriate. But, we don't. In commercial aviation we take off and land a plane with the assistance of computers and autopilot. I call it fly by numbers, she calls it trained monkey. Granted if things go bad we need to know how to do the basics and unfortunately all the accidents that have happened are because someone in the chain forgot to do the basics. Anyway the point was more about the lack of life and health issues that came from being a pilot more than a slant on the ability of the monkey to do it. Oh and my wife has flown for years on the other side of the door but she has a good idea of what's going on in front. I wouldn't let her do a manual ILS approach but could certainly train her to push the correct buttons to let the thing do it automatically. Monkey see, monkey do!