Russia will open doors for foreign pilots
 

From winter 2013 will be open quotes - max 200 pilots for max 5 years.

In Russian

Translated by Google

And they continue asking for russian citizenship...

Yup, they will change your nationality

Yes they do continue asking for russian citizenship :ugh:

Tempting........

I assume that they mean with "foreigners" mainly former Sovjet Republics?

I suppose no citizenship will be required BUT it is for Captains only.
If you are ready to live in country with half a year dirty and freeze, with unreliable ATC, aerodromes and weather reporting, if you are ready for single pilot operation with ex-military with about zero flight time or student pilot as F/O A320 or 330 and ready for your contract considered by management as just very conditional.... So in that case you are very welcome...
Just insider note...

and...do not forget that they do not speak English so that you should know how to speak Russian.:eek:

And, unfortunately, Russian management are some of the biggest bullies you will ever meet :uhoh::uhoh:

I can't drink vodka ! Will I still be considered ?

Who will take a high houred 737ng FO?

Wow, I can hardly wait . . . think how easy/quick my working day will now be. No pesky delays briefing/planning . . . no more Winter delays due de-icing & Yeah ! a safety Dept that will back me up & issue press releases confirming I was 100% correct in my assertion "it will blow off".

No more diversions due to bad weather. . . . . "Minimums" what ? Cat3 ? hell no, we are at least Cat5 (or will be once suitably "refreshed" )

Where do I apply Comrade, free voddie/tottie & no repercussions for reducing my briefing to "Standard Non Standard".

Am I being slightly cynical/stereotyping here ? well yes. . . but only "slightly".

not all - or even most - Russian pilots are a demented bunch of alcoholics

they fly a horrible mixture of aircraft, some of great antiquity, into a lot of remote places which are short on just about everything we take for granted in the west. Even major airports show the result of chronic underinvestment for 20+ years. Overall they do a good job.

Management is generally poor or worse

If you do go there face up to the fact that its going to be a lot tougher than anything we normally see in Europe, Australia or N America

@Capt PS, +1 to you sir!

You and I must work for the same company :)

Any Western pilot that is happy about the prospect of working in Russia, needs to visit their nearest psychologist immediately, because your clearly living in fantasy land!! If that doesn't work a few trips to DME & SVO will soon bring you back to reality.....

Captainplaystation, your post is far closer to the truth than you may think, spot on :ok: :D

The level of ignorance expressed by some here puzzles me.

Russia may not be top of the world aviationwise compared to EASA-land but they seem to have decent operartions if you count in companies like Aeroflot, Transaero, S7 Airlines, Ifly, Nordwind, Ural, Orenair, etc which operate modern western fleets who will be the main companies I can think of which need western pilots. I know a good safety culture and proper maintenance is much more important than factory fresh Boeings or Airbusses (see Indonesia) but why not give them a chance...

Sorry Pro but you're completely incorrect. And I'm speaking from first hand experience as both a passenger on Aeroflot/Transaero and operating with all Russian crews. :(

So do they need foreigner pilot and if so why?

Russia approves foreign pilots hire.
 

Russian government (legal commission) approved amendments in Air Code, legalizing foreign pilots employment for local airlines.

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( in Russian)

My question to US, German, British or anyone of you - will you come to fly in Russia ?

Well, I once turned down a direct entry B744 command in Namibia so my answer would be: only if I was absolutely desperate for a flying job.

To Basil.

I would turn down any job in Namibia to. But in Air Astana in Kasakhstan i see quite a few of British and Dutch Captains.

And Kasakhstan does not have a Bolshoi theater ... ;)

Mitrosft, hello, just wandering, would you be happy to share cockpit with the foreigner, when qualified locals are offered co-pilot entry position changing from one company to another and having adequate experience to fly for Russian airlines?
Cheers

Only as DEC with market rate expat salaries and accomodation included and commutable 20 ON 10 OFF.
Then we can talk...

Any chance of a translation I can't seem to get google translate to work.....

I would love to fly in Russia.

The bill only got backing today, it could be months and months if not years before it is actually passed....

Wouldn't mind transaero on the jumbo or 777, but I'd have to accept a right seat with my experience. Still if I keep my russian girlie for good then it's not a bad option for me.

Interesting cockpit dynamics and yes I'm am experienced in the region.

Hi Awl !
Industry says it needs 1500 flying jobs per year. Local schools graduate 160-200. Some ex-army boys were available as the Air force was shrinking, but now all reserves are gone and traffic still goes up.
I have few foreign friends (Dutch, German, Brits) working in Moscow last 15 years, they know more Russian f-words than I do ;). Mentality is very close so we blend easy into each other's culture.

It is quite nice to hear you say that......., it is difficult enough to become an expat and a friendly working environment helps a LOT to adjust to a new job.
I'm curious about the T&C'S that will eventually be offered, it will be interesting to see how the expat positions will be implemented:ok:

That's good. Aeroflot's CEO Mr. Savel'ev said in the interview that they have plenty of low qualified FOs with whom they are even don't know what to do for the now but desperately short of good standing captains to push the business ahead there. At the same time some of the not type rated captains form ABC and Transaero were offered and employed as FOs with Aeroflot on 777. Does it mean that the not type rated expat Cap has the only way to join as a FO? The FO's salary at Aeroflot makes me sick, so far. And, can anybody to clue up on T&Cs they are about to offer. Working in Russia is attractive, indeed, but wage should be some were around 20k like in China, considering taxes back home and life stile when working there, I guess :ok:

Mitrosft pm pls are you a pilot or manager?

forget about Chinese salaries...

Sod the money I wold like to go there for the experience

Skyrambler, any thoughts on the salaries?

To Awl

I'm a private pilot. And personally anytime I fly from Moscow I stick to "Luftwaffe". . Sc*ew Aeroflot/Airfrance ( exuse moi ). Even though my friends do fly for Afl.

As for conditions - up to 10K Pounds that what they get as Captains on A330

And you can pay local income tax of 13% only, if you are in here 180 days+ as my Dutch friends do.

Don't know how that would be calculated if you are flying abroad twice a week, but presumably tac declaration submitted in Moscow will spare you from one in London/Paris/Ottawa.

I really would like to fly one of those old Russian beaters like an IL-76. Aside from a reasonable schedule, I insist on no smoking, no alcohol within 12 hours of flying, good maintenance, proper English spoken, follow the regulations and clean living accommodations.

Is this reasonable?

@Jammed Stab - sure, that's all reasonable, but not in Russia! Not a hope in hell I'm afraid.

And for anyone else considering working in Russia, consider very carefully. They are 30 years behind the rest of the world in civil aviation - I speak from first hand experience. I would honestly advise you to look elsewhere.

Russian newsdaily Vedomosti was quoting Aeroflot represantative ready to hire 130 foreign captains per year, and Transaero another 60-70.

to The Puzzler

Yes you are right Russia last 300 years was lagging behind Western world on average 50 years. Thats why Peter the Great was hiring German and Dutch engineers. And thats why I personally would fly again with Aeroflot with German Captain at stick. Because German would turn down any deviation from procedures.

Any RHS positions?

Salaries should be less then in Russian majors since all that recent changes introduced just having Former Soviet Union pilots in mind, so do not take your breath. No RHS opportunities as far as I can see.