What can I do for experience?!

[scoot69er]

Hi,

I'm starting to think I'm getting a bit bored of doing nothing, except my weekend job and studying during the week. I am free every night during the week and really think I need to get some experience by doing some volunterry work or something, but what can I do....? I need to do something that will pay dividends to an interview in later life, as I want to be an airline pilot (currently what I'm studying for at the mo...but got about 6 months till I finish yet)...

Any help appreciated.

[KoolCat]

have you thought about joining your local ATC (air cadets)?

[D'OHnut]

Where are you doing your ATPL? OATS?

How many hours do you have and what type? Done much cross-country? Done much flying under IMC?

Is it a half sponsored scheme? If so, by which carrier?

Why not become an instructor for a while? It'd certainly build up your all-important hours, whilst making you an even more confident flyer and developing your people skills. It'd be a good example to illustrate your communication, teamwork and organisational skills. In addition, it'd enable you to pay off some of the debt you have accumulated.

Have you checked out www.pprune.com?

[scoot69er]

Hi D'OHnut,

I found out about pprune a while back and since then, I've been quite a frequent user, but I'll remain anonymous :D .

I've currently got a PPL, IMC and MEP to my name with 180hrs. About 20 of which are P1 on the Seneca. I fly at Sherburn (singles) and Nottingham or Gamston (Pa34 Seneca).

I'm on module 2 with Bristol Groundschool and soon to take the exams in September. In fact I got CAA confirmation through today, the nerve's are coming back to me now since doing module 1 in March, though I have to say so myself I was chuffed with the outcome (averaged 91% :eek: ).

I've managed to get quite a lot of x-country in the past year. Last August I flew around Europe travelling as far south as Barcelona and about 3 weeks ago I came back from a 2 week flying trip around western USA visit California, Nevada, Arizone and Utah. Vegas Intl has got to be one of my favorite airfields h'ever!

I've thought about instructing, and I really want to avoid it if I can as I've been told a lot of airlines don't favour the experience as you become too indoctrinated in the ways of teaching and flying props...then when you step into a 757...you bring along bad habbits. I am keeping my options open though, but I would like to go straight into airlines (**Britannia** I hope!). I'd fly anything at the moment with wings and a CofA but realistically, I want something heavier than air and say 20 or more pax!

It's kind of half sponsored, by a carrier called "Fathair"....(the ol' man). I am getting a loan soon though worth about £10k to pay off the IR and MCC before I start applying to the real carriers :)

[D'OHnut]

Nice one! :D Pleased that you have 180 hours ( ;) ) and got an average of 91%!

BMI used to do a lot of half-sponsored training with the condition that you fly for them for a minimum of 3 or 5 years, I think. Still, not bad. You'd probably get the ER3/ER4. If you're lucky the A320/321 out of LHR... How about FR? I think you'd fly for 90 hrs/month (according to PPRuNe) and probably be based in Europe, say CRL or HHN. Not bad for building up your hours, eh? ;)

I like the sound of your European and American tours. I'm dead jealous! :D

I'm only 1.5 hours away from BRS. Been to and flown from BRS many times, including in the last two weeks.

Old man eh? All right for some! :p

[scoot69er]

Haha yeh the old man is quite generous but I think he's got a nifty plan up his sleeve. I think he's looking at it in the long term! I mean, I'm the one who has to choose his nursing home so I guess he needs to treet me :D .

Deep down I think he wants to do it. He often tells me "My ambition is yours"........"NOW GET THEM BOOKS READ!".

That's how it kind of works lol.

[D'OHnut]

Originally posted by scoot69er
Haha yeh the old man is quite generous but I think he's got a nifty plan up his sleeve. I think he's looking at it in the long term! I mean, I'm the one who has to choose his nursing home so I guess he needs to treet me :D .

Deep down I think he wants to do it. He often tells me "My ambition is yours"........"NOW GET THEM BOOKS READ!".

That's how it kind of works lol.

:lol: Sounds good to me! ;)

Any chance of some touch-and-gos at BRS? ;)

[scoot69er]

Touch and goes at Bristol...hmm, £20 per touch :rolleyes:

[D'OHnut]

Originally posted by scoot69er
Touch and goes at Bristol...hmm, £20 per touch :rolleyes:

:eek2: :p

Not free then?

:D

I'm off to bed. Night night.