Hi guy’s
Just need some advice, I am currently studying PPL and have just completed exercise 7. Once I have completed PPL what do I need to do next in order to become a commercial pilot and what is the minimum age limit to work in a commercial airline.
Hi
To get a job as a first officer on an airline you will need to get a CPL/IR (sometimes called a frozen ATPL).
You will need to do lots of flying to build up your hours, due to the hours requirements stated below for starting the CPL (many schools offer hours building courses or discounts for block bookings). You will also need to complete the ATPL theory see www.bristol.gs for more info and then do the CPL, multi engine course and an IR see www.flysfc.com for more on the actual courses.
To start the CPL you have to have the following.
Hold a PPL (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 Completed 5 hours night flight time Completed 150 hours total flight time (200 hours is required for licence issue, 100 must be P1)Completed 20 hours cross-country flight time as pilot-in-commandThe cross-country flight time must include a qualifying 540 km cross-country flightHold a valid JAR first class medical certificatePassed a course of theoretical instruction as set out in the JAR-FCLThe minimum age for issue of a CPL licence is 18.
To do the multi engine Instrument Rating you need the following.
70 hours as pilot-in-command50 hours PIC cross-country flight time Hold a valid JAR first class medical certificatePassed a course of theoretical instruction as set out in the JAR-FCLDemonstrated use of English language as set out in the JAR-FCL
It will cost in the region of 40 - 60 grand to get from where you are now to first officer level depending on where you train.
As for age, most airlines take low hours first officers between the ages of 20 - 30 but the actual ages vary company to company, best to look at the airlines websites to get a better idea, most airlines also require you to have at least 2 A-Levels.
Hope that helps
DC
David wrote: It will cost in the region of 40 - 60 grand to get from where you are now to first officer level depending on where you train.
Shop around, it is possible to do it a lot cheaper than that!
most airlines also require you to have at least 2 A-Levels.
There are no academic qualifications required to be an airline pilot, only airlines that offer some sort of sponsorship will ask for qualifications.
Yea it is a lot, shop around though, the price varies a lot depending on where you train, both around the UK and abroad, and many places offer very good prices for hours builders when you do large block hours bookings (especially abroad). yes the hours you have from your PPL will count towards the hours requirement for starting the commercial training.
Hi,
My Skills test examiner didn't start to learn to fly until he was 39. He got his first FO job working for BA connect at the age of 43!
It's not so much about age, but funds availble to pay for the training as once you get a Frozen ATPL & Type rating, anyone should be employable.
Gav.
Hi Gavin,
I'm Mario, at the age of 36 but still with a "dream" to be a commercial pilot... I'm searching around several "flight academies" in The Netherlands (were I live and work) but their answer usually is the same: "Sorry, you're too old" even few minuts ago by the phone... :-( ...yes...
Is really nice that you share with us about your test examiner in yr previous email! A few years ago when flying in a "service trip" to Germany o/b a Learjet 45, I met a First-Officer that had only 850 flying hours but he look to me more then 40's. He saw my "passion" about, heard me why I could not make it before when I was younger. The basic reason was that before my "eyes laser operation" I had miophie and needed glasses with -6.75 correction and now I've only +0,5 (still use glasses but only to rest my eyes). So, that "lost dream" came back. I still remember what that nice pilot told me about this: "Mario, never gave up from your dreams, I achieve mine at 39's old and I'm flying every day!").
I don't have the knowledge where to go and find more about this "age problem" and who can help me in terms of advice, so here am I kindly asking you for your tips specially related with the fact that I leave and work in K.L.M. in the Netherlands.
Many thx for all your info sharing,
Mario
Hi Mario, I'm 33 and also interested in a career change into piloting...if possible! However, I have the same concern as you about about age and fear that I'll be too old by the time I have sufficient hours to work for an airline.
Have you taken any further action in pursuing this "dream"?
Thanks!
Paolo
Hi there
In terms of ages and joing airlines, it isnt really a problem unless you are well over the age of 40, and even then if you have a type rating, fATPL and a good personality an airline cannot turn a blind eye to you as you meet the spec they want, and dismissing you because of age isn't professional, nor is it legal etc etc. Yes a 24 year old looks more attractive in terms of long term contracts and the ability to become a very good pilot given a career of flying within the company, but 'at the end of the day' a pilot is a pilot, as long as you can do the job well and you get on with people you can still fly the big jets and earn money for it.
As for the argument about the economy there isnt a magic ball we can use and there are no magic words anyone can say that will determine whether or not you will go ahead with training. HOWEVER, being in the position myself about to start integrated training and having made one huge decision to live in NZ for a while, I have an optimistic view. Firstly the aviation industry is massivley cyclic, meaning for example, the industry slows right down one minute and booms the next. Take a look at 9/11, a year later after airlines went bust things picked up again. Secondly if you train now chances are you will come out in an upturn- look at all those who thought it was clever to train when things were booming and are graduating now; you get the point. In my opinion, and in the opinion of just about every aviation professional I have had the pleasure to speak to seems to think now is the best time, but thats one to be argued by someone more pessemistic.
For me (oops I've focussed things back on me again), I will graduate with my ATPLf and AQC complete with the possibility of the type rating completed as well in around 2010. This magic date seems to be the general predicted date that things will perk up, and to put the cherry on the top, I will aim to graduate a few months before the summer recruitment drives increasing chances. When you put things in prospective it doesnt seem too bad does it? Yes you have to also think what if the economy is still in the crapper, but if you think like that- especially the older ones in here you will never l ive the dream or achieve anything you desire. In simple if you are stuck in 2 minds about training now, just ask youself, do you have a backup plan? Have you got a way of paying any debt if you cannot get a job- presuming you have taken out a loan of course in the first place, if not, have you got a backup plan or a source of finance to help keep yourself current if you cannot get in with an airline?
Anyway, for the older ones asking the question does age really matter or is it too late, I guess I cant give you a definate answer because I dont recruit pilots, but what I do know is if you want something bad enough you will achieve it, and if you show you have passion, personality and the ability, you will succeed! I say go for it and I wish you the best of luck if you do, the only thing to bear in mind is that the older you get, the more likely you are to lose a class 1. Thats the only problem with flying, everything you put into it, all that hard work and hours of training can be wasted should you lose your medical.
Morbz
hello every body
i need help plz to know something
i am 29 years old i want to be pilot i know the steps and every thing , but lots of pilot friends said that it is too late for me to start and there is no air line will take me once i get my CPL in age of 30 , is it tru ? what do u recommend to me shall i give up ,or it is never too late ?
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