i have a question for all you real world pilots out there

[LittleJoe0962]

The wifey and I would like to know how long it takes to get you flying liecense for a 742 or 744? i know you have to work your way up to a wide body plane. She asked me last night when i was flying and i don't have a clue.
Thanks,
Joe

[mlegein]

I don't know the answer but if you watch some of the world air routes DVDs you'll see that some of the FO's are quite young. Some look like they're still in their 20's.

[khelm]

Well, from my current status I can tell you first you need to get a private pilots license, and IFR rating, then a commercial license, along with a multi engine certificate, then an ATP certificate, then a type rating on the 747.

Its taking me 4 years to get the first 4, and I would guess about 2 or 3 to get the ATP and type rating.

I'm sure Justin can elaborate more for you. (don't forget to add the time you need to spend at the regional airlines getting the hours required for the ATPL and to get the airline to even look at your resume )

[Kevin Hester]

How much you know about flying in general and aviation in advance also plays a huge role in how long it takes to get the certifications. At the school I went to to get my PPL, there were people that have been there for months to get it. I got the checkride a little after 4 weeks and 42 flight hours.

I'd say this much and grab the Carenado GA fleet. The Carenado Skylane 182 closely mimic's the R/W counterpart and I was very impressed with it. Their aircraft are by far the superior GA payware available.

[nwadc10]

The short answer is that there is no good answer. A lot depends on where that 742 or 744 job is in the world. The closer to 3rd world you get the faster you can get in that seat. At the same time, for me personally, the closer you get the 3rd world the more happy I am in the CRJ.

Also has a lot to do with how fast you get your ratings because it's almost always at your own pace. I did my ratings at a steady speed with a couple year breaks. I got my PPL in July 1998 and got hired at a regional in May 2007. My best friend and college roomate started roughly the same time I did and was hired at a regional in around May 2004.

If we are talking about straight flight time (not calendar time to acquire that flight time) the fastest I've heard so far, without going outside the US, is actually Polar or Atlas. Last I read I think the minimum flight times, amoung others, is total time of 4000 and turbine PIC of 1000. The other "majors" require 5000 total and 1000 PIC just to get to a DC9 or A320.

[yoni63]

That third world thing is kind a scary too sometimes. I've flown on alot of third world aircraft, I know this is a broad statement to make as I am certain there are many third world aircrews out there that are really good pilots. But, seems to me I have always been able to see a marked difference when flying third world as opposed to flying with other aircrews.

[John Khan]

Joe

What Justin says is spot on. There are different requirements for different airlines.

First, - to get the PPL then a Commercial and instrument rating, multi-engine and turbine ratings will take several years and a LOT of cash.

Then to get hired by even a small airline and get the required 1000 or whatever hours as Pilot in Command on a small turbine aircraft.

The one great thing is that if or when you do get hired by - say - Atlas, all they have are 747s so you go straight onto them - WOWEE!!

But before you get near one of them there will be months of ground school and if you pass all that, then a lot of simulator time before getting onto the real thing,

A friend of mine did just that. He had all the qualifications by the time he was 20. First got a job instructing, then small charter flights, then passenger flights. He then went to the Coast Watch.

He was hired by Qantas when he was 22. (in the 1080s when they only had the 747s). Went through 8 months of ground school before he got into the simulators in Sydney, and finaly got into the real thing almost a year later as a second officer. He got his command at the age of 32 on the 747-300. - the youngest Captain ever, at the time.

John

[Mike Bridge]

Heaps of info on this at
pprune.org

Be warned - If u love avation, you will be at the site for HOURS!

[Brogs]

And don,t forget , there,s always the Military Route !