I dont think anyone has made out longhaul is a black art at all have they? Maybe some removed posts did - dont know. I'm not personally moaning, just reflecting how it's changed. I think VAA were always were one of the decent firms who recognised experience. As mentioned it looks like they'll still have a healthy need for experienced guys so fair play to them and I was wrong.

If this is a route Virgin are looking to take what's the chances of them dropping the weight requirement and start considering experienced people flying Turboprops and regional Jets. Surely if you intend to put an individual with no commercial experience and only the minimum number of hours for licence issue in the RHS and say they are more than capable to operate Wide body aircraft in the Long Haul environment an experienced Pilot with plenty of time served should be given the same respect. Of course it's their train set managed by the cheapest option the accountants come up with!!

I'm sure they took some Flybe guys a couple of years back...

HP

We have our own cabin crew with ATPLs who are not being looked at. They want to take people from all backgrounds and bring them on. It's almost a 'big society' thing i'm afraid. So, for now, the only route in is the stated requirements and hope. As has been stated there are a large number retiring over the next 10 years which will not be filled by cadets alone.

As we seem to be changing our routes for short, one night, stops the pilot requirements/recruiting must go down as heavy crews aren't required. If we do introduce some longer routes, then obviously things improve.

4th Para down:

MPL students bust transfer myth - 10/22/2014 - Flight Global

Watch out for your T&C's boys & girls....!

Got to ask the question then...
 

How does an MPL upgrade to a CPL or ATPL?
I was always under the impression that you needed an ATPL or at the very Least a frozen one to operate any Turboprop or Jet aircraft over 5700kg.....
Which is why I sat mine as soon as I could, having had one on the first BCPL's that were issued at the time.

MPL = CPL restricted to Multi-crew aircraft & specific AOC (unless transferred). MPL students have taken the same theory exams, it's "just" the practical training that changes.

MPL -> ATPL is the same process as CPL -> ATPL.

So what about the actual Flying requirements, cross country, IR, total hours (break down of) etc?
An ATPL is only valid with a current IR. what sort of IR will be required for MPL ?
I see the word Transferable being used now. Surely the MPL IS NOT Transferable? Which was the whole point of this type of license in the first place.

It was always transferable but only between participating airlines operating the same type. This is where the Monarch cadets recent got lucky with easyJet whereas Flybe Q400 MPL would not be transferable to A320. Bit of thread drift though...is this not about Virgin? On that note I hear their current holding pool has been told there's nothing until 2016 now. That's the guys who applied in 2013 :bored:

Does anyone know if Virgin is going to fully sponsor the MPL scheme?

This is totally incorrect I'm afraid. All that said Q400 MPL holder would need is their licence derestricted from Flybe after final line check (paperwork exercise) and then an A320 type rating.

Maybe in theory..but that's never gonna happen :rolleyes:

A Flybe MPL student went from the Dash to the EMB145 with a different airline after final line check.

It has happened at least twice already in Flybe!

I don't think there is anyone with a license still restricted to flybe, and yes it is a simple paper exercise. You can then go to any other airline and do a type rating that will then be added to your license the same as any other CPL/IR pilot.

Still. Thread drift.

Regarding moving around on a post-line-check MPL, considering the stigma associated with it (and the ignorance on display here), they are quite 'mobile'. As said previously, Flybe graduates found themselves at a northern EMB operator and and Irish Airbus operator, Monarch guys are at interviews with BA, Flybe and possibly others while the guys currently at CTC have already passed selection with Easyjet. Airlines and the CAA have no problem accommodating those in a pickle.

Would VS sponsor a programme? With CTC involved, not a chance in hell!

So what's the point of the MPL then?

Ed Zachary...... It is just another Money making Scam :ugh:

This time my it's not a money making scam as you will see in the coming weeks.

I don't see Virgin requiring MPL copilots. Most of their Longhaul is two crew aircraft needing experience in the right seat. In fact their latest recruits were ex.heavy jet RAF crew.