|
Originally Posted by motardos
(Post 11542298)
I am sorry for that.
I was motivated after watching videos like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCohvTMNOpw It's minus 9 now and expect to see temperatures above freezing on April. Regarding women in Latvia, young ones prefer of course their fellow Latvians/Russians. More friendly are single moms in their 30's expecting someone to help with the bills |
Hi guys,
I’m thinking to apply for the AirBaltic cadet program but I have no idea what to expect. if anyone have any information I would appreciate it. I’m new in the sector, so I don’t know how to prepare for the assessments. What should i study . would pilot assessment website (PASS) help to be ready ? thanks in advance |
Originally Posted by Sawek
(Post 11544605)
Hi guys,
I’m thinking to apply for the AirBaltic cadet program but I have no idea what to expect. if anyone have any information I would appreciate it. I’m new in the sector, so I don’t know how to prepare for the assessments. What should i study . would pilot assessment website (PASS) help to be ready ? thanks in advance |
Originally Posted by chris1311
(Post 11539063)
1.)sim screen, da42 fix base, 15 minutes, all in rix, easy wx, no failures, no briefings or checklists, only easy raw data departure, vectored ils, GA, and another vectored ils - BY FAR the easiest i have ever seen My 8 yo nephew could perform perfectly if practicing a few hours on simulator. No offence, I am not saying that for you, but for another poster we had an argument in my thread about nepotism. He was saying that it was fine that he was hired in AB despite the fact that he was not meeting the entry requirements, he had a nice cv claiming that was feeding stray cats or something. How did they see that he was adequate, by an assessment in a sim that no actual flight time is required to perform well? Anyway, I am sure that he would pass even the assessment on an IL72, since he was invited without fulfilling the entry requirements |
Originally Posted by twentyfivehundred220
(Post 11526764)
But why have you decided that I am using different accounts? A220 is my first type, so I actually had to google Let410, Beechcraft 1900, Js31 to understand your reference.
airBaltic is my first company, coming straight from their Pilot Academy, I'm relatively new to the industry, company and A220, so I just stumbled upon this forum and saw ppl talking nonsense about the company that I like a lot. It's got its flaws, but I mean, MAFIA? I think last year alone they've hired around 150(?) new pilots, and to believe they're all "friends" of someone in the office creating multiple accounts - that's quite a serious conspiracy. Anyway - no offense to anyone, I hope you're really loving your jobs wherever you work. What a surprise, another incident caused by AB inadequate pilots, at least according to Latvian accident/incident investigation unit which blamed pilot selection for another AB incident. Again, AB pilots gave a roller coaster experience to the passengers with massive speed changes, pitch oscillations and violent maneuvering.Not conducting a missed approach is clearly a gross negligence. There was no loss of situational awareness. They climbed during the ils approach so they knew very well they weren't where they should be. Luckily we won't watch it on that popular tv series Incident: Baltic BCS3 at Palanga on Jul 1st 2023, high rate of descent below minimum safe height, approach continued By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z, last updated Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z An Air Baltic Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration YL-CSA performing flight BT-375 from Riga (Latvia) to Palanga (Lithuania), was on approach to Palanga's runway 19 about to perform an ILS approach. About 11.5nm before the runway at 2000 feet the crew activated the APP autopilot mode, the descent rate increased to 2950 feet per minute below 1600 feet. The crew disconnected the autopilot at 1465 feet AGL (according to RADALT), the rate of descent decreased to 500 fpm before increasing again below 1200 feet AGL. 9nm before the runway threshold, while extending the landing gear, the aircraft descended below 1000 feet AGL at 133 KIAS, at 860 feet AGL the gear was completely extended. 8nm before the runway threshold, at 216 KIAS, flaps 1 were selected, the descent rate stabilized at 700 fpm for about 25 seconds followed by a climb of about 1500 fpm up to 1300 feet, which the aircraft maintained for about 40 seconds. At 5nm before the runway threshold the aircraft began to descend again still being more than 2 dots below the glidepath. The aircraft descended through 1000 feet AGL again at 900 fpm sink rate and 2.1 dots below the glideslope at 135 KIAS. A TAWS warning sounded, the aircraft levelled off at about 880 feet, the trajectory was corrected at 2.5nm before the runway threshold and the aircraft continued for a safe landing in the runway's touch down zone. According to information The Aviation Herald received the crew was aware of possibly false localizer signals at Palanga according to NOTAMs, however, did not discuss this possibility during their approach briefing. When the crew activated the APP mode, the aircraft captured a false localizer signal immediately followed by capturing a false glideslope signal sending the aircraft into a steep dive. The crew disconnected the autopilot at about 3000 fpm sinkrate and initiated recovery, the aircraft reached a minimum height of 800 feet and 2nm offset from the extended runway centerline about 9nm before the runway threshold. Due to loss of situational awareness the crew did not initiate a go around but continued the approach. Due to terrain there are constraints to the approach procedure designs. |
Originally Posted by TheEdge
(Post 11539126)
Riga is the worst !!!!hole of the 3 baltic countries, avoid at all costs.
|
Originally Posted by batushka;[url=tel:11546272
11546272[/url]]Just saw this incident on avherarld and remembered of you
What a surprise, another incident caused by AB inadequate pilots, at least according to Latvian accident/incident investigation unit which blamed pilot selection for another AB incident. Again, AB pilots gave a roller coaster experience to the passengers with massive speed changes, pitch oscillations and violent maneuvering.Not conducting a missed approach is clearly a gross negligence. There was no loss of situational awareness. They climbed during the ils approach so they knew very well they weren't where they should be. Luckily we won't watch it on that popular tv series Incident: Baltic BCS3 at Palanga on Jul 1st 2023, high rate of descent below minimum safe height, approach continued By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z, last updated Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z An Air Baltic Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration YL-CSA performing flight BT-375 from Riga (Latvia) to Palanga (Lithuania), was on approach to Palanga's runway 19 about to perform an ILS approach. About 11.5nm before the runway at 2000 feet the crew activated the APP autopilot mode, the descent rate increased to 2950 feet per minute below 1600 feet. The crew disconnected the autopilot at 1465 feet AGL (according to RADALT), the rate of descent decreased to 500 fpm before increasing again below 1200 feet AGL. 9nm before the runway threshold, while extending the landing gear, the aircraft descended below 1000 feet AGL at 133 KIAS, at 860 feet AGL the gear was completely extended. 8nm before the runway threshold, at 216 KIAS, flaps 1 were selected, the descent rate stabilized at 700 fpm for about 25 seconds followed by a climb of about 1500 fpm up to 1300 feet, which the aircraft maintained for about 40 seconds. At 5nm before the runway threshold the aircraft began to descend again still being more than 2 dots below the glidepath. The aircraft descended through 1000 feet AGL again at 900 fpm sink rate and 2.1 dots below the glideslope at 135 KIAS. A TAWS warning sounded, the aircraft levelled off at about 880 feet, the trajectory was corrected at 2.5nm before the runway threshold and the aircraft continued for a safe landing in the runway's touch down zone. According to information The Aviation Herald received the crew was aware of possibly false localizer signals at Palanga according to NOTAMs, however, did not discuss this possibility during their approach briefing. When the crew activated the APP mode, the aircraft captured a false localizer signal immediately followed by capturing a false glideslope signal sending the aircraft into a steep dive. The crew disconnected the autopilot at about 3000 fpm sinkrate and initiated recovery, the aircraft reached a minimum height of 800 feet and 2nm offset from the extended runway centerline about 9nm before the runway threshold. Due to loss of situational awareness the crew did not initiate a go around but continued the approach. Due to terrain there are constraints to the approach procedure designs. Definitely on my personal no fly airline list |
Originally Posted by zen krempie;[url=tel:11549995
11549995[/url]]Few months ago they descended again below final approach profile in Brussels.
Definitely on my personal no fly airline list |
Originally Posted by lekker92
(Post 11555293)
Then you should travel by train cause all airlines have incidents
In the airline I work we operate a larger fleet and we had ONE runway excursion more than a decade ago. This airline had four runway excursions in the last five years. We never had any incident descending below the profile. This airline had two just in 2023. It's not that they lost 500 ft, in both cases they should be at 2000 and were at 800 ft. In the latest case they went roller coaster after they disengaged the AP. Let's wait for the report, I guess it will be like the rest of the reports for this airline, putting the blame in pilot selection and training. If it wasn't a European airline, all these incidents would have put it in the black list. Flying is generally safe, just avoid the red flags. |
Air Baltic assessment
Hi all,
What should I expect about the physics and maths part of the assessment? I heard a calculator is not allowed. Also, I couldn't find a thread about this on the forum. Thanks! |
Originally Posted by chris1311
(Post 11539063)
I attended the assessment and the numbers you state match with what I have been told by the chief pilot during the interview so i would not expect more ;-)
In case anyone is interested about DEFO Assessment: 2 Days in RIX (they offer cheap AB tickets and hotel rates) day 1 1.)sim screen, da42 fix base, 15 minutes, all in rix, easy wx, no failures, no briefings or checklists, only easy raw data departure, vectored ils, GA, and another vectored ils - BY FAR the easiest i have ever seen Do you remember the DME distance when you had localizer alive? |
Originally Posted by ave
(Post 11558794)
More or less the same for me except that I had to struggle to intercept the localizer as I was vectored too close to the ils beacon. I was maneuvering from one side to another and was failed. No way to intercept it with 30 degrees of bank as needle was moving too fast for standard rate turn.
Do you remember the DME distance when you had localizer alive? For me, sim was the first thing on the first of the two days. Was it the same with you? Did they fail you “right away” or did you do the rest of the day and then be told that you had failed? |
Originally Posted by chris1311
(Post 11560231)
I have to say i don’t remember exactly but i think it was 8NM out - AFAIR outside of the FAF. In any case, based on the vectors i got it was easily possible to intercept with <20 degrees Bank.
For me, sim was the first thing on the first of the two days. Was it the same with you? Did they fail you “right away” or did you do the rest of the day and then be told that you had failed? If memory serves, glideslope was already one dot above when localiser was alive. I think I was around 4 dme, I don’t remember if I was flying on published altitude or vectored below, it was half a year ago. |
Guys, they managed to fail the pilots that they fired during the pandemic. And took some flight instructors in their place.
For 2023 only they had three incidents |
Originally Posted by ave
(Post 11560273)
I did the rest, I assume the oscillations was the reason cause the rest was fine.
If memory serves, glideslope was already one dot above when localiser was alive. I think I was around 4 dme, I don’t remember if I was flying on published altitude or vectored below, it was half a year ago. Not that it matters much but out of curiosity: how can you know it was the sim that failed you, couldn‘t it be interview, psychometrics or psychologist? |
Originally Posted by Luray
(Post 11541681)
I have unrestricted permit to live and work in Latvia. Been selected by AB and passed assessment. After going trough OCC was fired without any explanations two days before sim.
Few days before they kicked me I had a long dialogue with AB security and they pressed me due to my passport that would restrict travel to one of their destinations. On a personal note, I support that restaurant in Gertrudes run by nice Ukrainian ladies despite they don't offer alcohol, but doctors and pilots from a country in war that asks support from EU, I don't know |
Originally Posted by Aurora 2022
(Post 11556312)
Hi all,
What should I expect about the physics and maths part of the assessment? I heard a calculator is not allowed. Also, I couldn't find a thread about this on the forum. Thanks! |
A match made in heaven between draft dodgers and baltic companies
|
Hello, is anyone here starting the training in September?
|
Originally Posted by skyguardian88
(Post 11561875)
A match made in heaven between draft dodgers and baltic companies
|
Its 23%.
Currently working here, feel free to message me if you want some details! |
Hello Friends,
Can you please share some information what to expect on the online assessment for the Academy? I saw a few people passed and would appreciate any extra details. Thank you! |
Originally Posted by kguar
(Post 11587520)
Hello Friends,
Can you please share some information what to expect on the online assessment for the Academy? I saw a few people passed and would appreciate any extra details. Thank you! |
Originally Posted by motardos
(Post 11533335)
Sounds like for the first six first months you will need to sleep in the car
Northern Scandinavia weather with Eastern Europe salaries. Salary barely enough to pay rent and utilities, if you don't already have a car, expect to commute with the bus |
Yeah salaries haven't followed inflation and are on the low side. Especially for captains who get sent to Zurich ACMI all the time, away from families and for no salary incentive. That's the main driver of the low moral in the company. That and the management always pushing back, saying that if we're not happy we can leave, instead of trying to find some solutions. But colleagues are nice, most people are chill and fun to fly with, at least you have that.
But the salaries are enough to pay rent and utilities. That depends entirely on where you live and your lifestyle. I pay 580 for a one bedroom apartment in Agenskalns, in a modern residence, and pay around 70 of utilities in summer and 150 in winter, living alone. The lowest FO salary in BTI (2800 net) can afford that. Even if you add the cost of groceries, fuel and some night outs, there should be some money left. If you want to live in the city center, in a fancy apartment, party every day and already have debts from before, then yes the salary may be tight. But you're still not a homeless. And what's wrong with taking the bus? |
Originally Posted by Inverted.Panda
(Post 11592439)
Yeah salaries haven't followed inflation and are on the low side. Especially for captains who get sent to Zurich ACMI all the time, away from families and for no salary incentive. That's the main driver of the low moral in the company. That and the management always pushing back, saying that if we're not happy we can leave, instead of trying to find some solutions. But colleagues are nice, most people are chill and fun to fly with, at least you have that.
But the salaries are enough to pay rent and utilities. That depends entirely on where you live and your lifestyle. I pay 580 for a one bedroom apartment in Agenskalns, in a modern residence, and pay around 70 of utilities in summer and 150 in winter, living alone. The lowest FO salary in BTI (2800 net) can afford that. Even if you add the cost of groceries, fuel and some night outs, there should be some money left. If you want to live in the city center, in a fancy apartment, party every day and already have debts from before, then yes the salary may be tight. But you're still not a homeless. And what's wrong with taking the bus? It's not that nice waiting at the bus stop at minus 20. Bus last stop is at Stockmann then you need to walk in the snow (snow in Riga lasts from November to early April) If it fine to live in a small apartment with the basics, commuting with public bus, you could have that by working in McDonalds in any Western European country and you could afford a car without relocating to a country bordering with Russia with 6 hours of daylight and freezing cold. You could ask why I took the contract at the first place... That time market was much worse and I was desperate |
Originally Posted by Inverted.Panda
(Post 11592439)
Yeah salaries haven't followed inflation and are on the low side. Especially for captains who get sent to Zurich ACMI all the time, away from families and for no salary incentive. That's the main driver of the low moral in the company. That and the management always pushing back, saying that if we're not happy we can leave, instead of trying to find some solutions. But colleagues are nice, most people are chill and fun to fly with, at least you have that.
But the salaries are enough to pay rent and utilities. That depends entirely on where you live and your lifestyle. I pay 580 for a one bedroom apartment in Agenskalns, in a modern residence, and pay around 70 of utilities in summer and 150 in winter, living alone. The lowest FO salary in BTI (2800 net) can afford that. Even if you add the cost of groceries, fuel and some night outs, there should be some money left. If you want to live in the city center, in a fancy apartment, party every day and already have debts from before, then yes the salary may be tight. But you're still not a homeless. And what's wrong with taking the bus? |
Originally Posted by Jabulani
(Post 10706675)
@ Pilot 123, you nailed it, working conditions are worst and its only a matter of time when a tired pilot will cause an accident, I left for the same reasons as you did but as long as they find people to accept the conditions they will not change anything.
My favorite answer of this finance guy was " do not complain and be happy to have a job at all"
Originally Posted by Inverted.Panda
(Post 11592439)
That and the management always pushing back, saying that if we're not happy we can leave, instead of trying to find some solutions But you're still not a homeless.
And what's wrong with taking the bus? On the other hand, A220 pilots with years in the company are still first officers. No wonder why all these incidents and why some pilots prefer to pay the bond to leave before the 3 years |
Originally Posted by ctacik
(Post 11603178)
I left them long ago and I see that nothing changes. Only that they can find worse and worse quality of pilots. Just before I leave I met a recently hired ''senior F/O with more 2750 hours'' that supposed to have fast command. Only that the hours were on a Beechcraft 1900 which doesn't fit their entry requirements for CS25, FMS aircrafts
On the other hand, A220 pilots with years in the company are still first officers. No wonder why all these incidents and why some pilots prefer to pay the bond to leave before the 3 years |
Originally Posted by ave
(Post 11603582)
3000 hours and still first officer in a small prop would raise an eyebrow in any hr department
|
Originally Posted by ctacik
(Post 11603593)
Well, Latvia is a former Soviet Union country and companies follow the respective mentality
|
Originally Posted by batushka
(Post 11546272)
Just saw this incident on avherarld and remembered of you
What a surprise, another incident caused by AB inadequate pilots, at least according to Latvian accident/incident investigation unit which blamed pilot selection for another AB incident. Again, AB pilots gave a roller coaster experience to the passengers with massive speed changes, pitch oscillations and violent maneuvering.Not conducting a missed approach is clearly a gross negligence. There was no loss of situational awareness. They climbed during the ils approach so they knew very well they weren't where they should be. Luckily we won't watch it on that popular tv series Incident: Baltic BCS3 at Palanga on Jul 1st 2023, high rate of descent below minimum safe height, approach continued By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z, last updated Friday, Nov 24th 2023 19:00Z An Air Baltic Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration YL-CSA performing flight BT-375 from Riga (Latvia) to Palanga (Lithuania), was on approach to Palanga's runway 19 about to perform an ILS approach. About 11.5nm before the runway at 2000 feet the crew activated the APP autopilot mode, the descent rate increased to 2950 feet per minute below 1600 feet. The crew disconnected the autopilot at 1465 feet AGL (according to RADALT), the rate of descent decreased to 500 fpm before increasing again below 1200 feet AGL. 9nm before the runway threshold, while extending the landing gear, the aircraft descended below 1000 feet AGL at 133 KIAS, at 860 feet AGL the gear was completely extended. 8nm before the runway threshold, at 216 KIAS, flaps 1 were selected, the descent rate stabilized at 700 fpm for about 25 seconds followed by a climb of about 1500 fpm up to 1300 feet, which the aircraft maintained for about 40 seconds. At 5nm before the runway threshold the aircraft began to descend again still being more than 2 dots below the glidepath. The aircraft descended through 1000 feet AGL again at 900 fpm sink rate and 2.1 dots below the glideslope at 135 KIAS. A TAWS warning sounded, the aircraft levelled off at about 880 feet, the trajectory was corrected at 2.5nm before the runway threshold and the aircraft continued for a safe landing in the runway's touch down zone. According to information The Aviation Herald received the crew was aware of possibly false localizer signals at Palanga according to NOTAMs, however, did not discuss this possibility during their approach briefing. When the crew activated the APP mode, the aircraft captured a false localizer signal immediately followed by capturing a false glideslope signal sending the aircraft into a steep dive. The crew disconnected the autopilot at about 3000 fpm sinkrate and initiated recovery, the aircraft reached a minimum height of 800 feet and 2nm offset from the extended runway centerline about 9nm before the runway threshold. Due to loss of situational awareness the crew did not initiate a go around but continued the approach. Due to terrain there are constraints to the approach procedure designs. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0fcf3a2d74.jpg |
Q
Hi guys,
I see advertisement for SFO, quick upgrade. How long do they actually take for command training to start if they hire you. Thank you :) |
Originally Posted by Manish013
(Post 11630935)
Hi guys,
I see advertisement for SFO, quick upgrade. How long do they actually take for command training to start if they hire you. Thank you :) |
Originally Posted by lekker92
(Post 11527920)
I don’t know why this poster claims that there is a commuting roster, there isn’t such a thing
It is already snowing in Riga, we will the the grass here on April again |
Originally Posted by Manish013
(Post 11630935)
Hi guys,
I see advertisement for SFO, quick upgrade. How long do they actually take for command training to start if they hire you. Thank you :) |
Originally Posted by patituri
(Post 11647234)
I don't think any soon, as there is a lack in first officers too. Fresh graduates from Air Baltic Academy are leaving the company too lately
|
Originally Posted by SpaceTorque
(Post 11656572)
Do you know where are academy graduates going, to other airlines? Or leaving pilot profession in general?
|
Originally Posted by Manish013
(Post 11630935)
Hi guys,
I see advertisement for SFO, quick upgrade. How long do they actually take for command training to start if they hire you. Thank you :) |
Originally Posted by Manish013
(Post 11630935)
Hi guys,
I see advertisement for SFO, quick upgrade. How long do they actually take for command training to start if they hire you. Thank you :) |
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