How to become a pilot?

PhoenixRising

SouperComputer wrote:

yup, but colour-blindness may mean you can only fly commercial cargo planes. At least this is what I was told a few years ago.

That's rubbish. Colour blindness will exclude you from being able to fly commercially (and that includes cargo). Even for private flying, getting a medical certificate with colour blindness will be next to impossible. All pilots, whether private or commercial require an aviation medical certificate or their licences are invalid. Commercial pilots have to undergo a medical every year, and once you reach age 40 it's every 6 months.

In any event, even getting your PPL is going to set you back 5-6 grand at least

Around 5 grand is a reasonable figure to expect to pay, but that will usually be over about 2 years, unless you go for one of these 'PPL in 4 weeks' things in the US. They should be outlawed - it's a licence to kill.

but more than likely 10-15.

Again rubbish.

SouperComputer

getting a medical certificate with colour blindness will be next to impossible.

TBH im not 100% sure, but I would say that it depends on the colours you are sensitive to and how many of them you have difficulty with.

At least this is what applies for a Motorsport licence., I am red-green colourblind however I can still race.

Hopefully its not an issue with a PPL otherwise im throwing money down the drain!

FX Meister

Zulu wrote:

Who do you fly for? ...I'm just interested to know who I'll never fly with ever agin.

Ryan Air.

Zulu

FX Meister wrote:

Ryan Air.

Now I believe you!

PhoenixRising

FX Meister wrote:

Ryan Air.

Bull****. You can't even spell the name of the company you work for correctly. It was Ryanair last time I checked. That, allied with your extremely sketchy understanding of TCAS and even the most basic Rules of the Air leads me to that conclusion.

What aircraft are you on then? PM me your name, I've got a few close friends who fly for Ryanair. Maybe they know you?

FX Meister

My Names Karl Maloney, I fly a Bowing 632. Yeah, I know your friends well.

PhoenixRising

FX Meister wrote:

My Names Karl Maloney, I fly a Bowing 632. Yeah, I know your friends well.

Hmm, never heard of a Bowing 632.

Who's the head of the training in Ryanair then?

seamus

I never realised that the upper age limit for the Air Corps was 25. Surely this could be challenged on discrimination grounds?

WhiteWashMan

pipe down ladies.

FX, you sound like youre talking sh1te.

either give it a rest or post something useful, and not something vague and rubbish as usual.

FX Meister

Whatever you say cowboy whitewash.

seamus

PhoenixRising wrote:

That's rubbish. Colour blindness will exclude you from being able to fly commercially (and that includes cargo). Even for private flying, getting a medical certificate with colour blindness will be next to impossible.

That's what I was thinking. Aren't their red and green lights at the end of runways which are used as guides for landing aircraft? Surely red-green colourblindness would exclude you from flying on this count alone.

PhoenixRising

seamus wrote:

That's what I was thinking. Aren't their red and green lights at the end of runways which are used as guides for landing aircraft? Surely red-green colourblindness would exclude you from flying on this count alone.

Yep, green for the runway threshold lights, taxiway centre-line line lights, and stand lead-in lights. Red for runway end lights, and stopbars etc.. In the final stages of landing, a visual slope indicator called PAPI's guides the pilot as to his optimum approach angle using a combination of red and white lights.

Also, alot of flight instruments are colour coded, red usually denoting a speed or engine limitation, and green for the normal operating range. Alot of warnings are also displayed as flashing red or amber lights in the cockpit.

So, to answer your question, yes, I'd say that red-green colour blindness would definitely exlcude you from flying..

SouperComputer

being red green colour blind does not necessarily mean you cannot differentiate between red and green as such. For motorsport I would need to be able to tell the difference between red and green flags\lights.

anyway, i best find out for certain!

daveg

Haven't read through the entire thread but my GF's cousin went over the UK to get his commercial pilot's licence. Took him a year (flying in Spain and the US). I imagine it cost a shítload. He finished about 4 years ago. Has not worked as a pilot since. He finished about the time air lingus laid off pilots/stopped the recruitment process. I'd think long and hard about your investment before you follow this career path. Maybe think about a helicopter pilot's licence?

On another note I did interviews with the RAF some years back. Max ago was 25 (for pilot). However I also met with one of the Royal Navy recruiters and there maximum ago was higher (28 afair). Much easier to get into the Navy to become a pilot as opposed to the RAF. There are worse jobs than flying Harriers/sea kings off an aircraft carrier.

RicardoSmith

SouperComputer wrote:

being red green colour blind does not necessarily mean you cannot differentiate between red and green as such. For motorsport I would need to be able to tell the difference between red and green flags\lights.

anyway, i best find out for certain!

It the most common form of colour blindness, and besides its not specific colours thats usually the problem its specific shades/tones of colours. Where a light is a different physical light its not a problem. But the threshold lights change color depending on your angle to them, so that would be critical. But its a medical disqualification regardless of the practicalities in the workplace.

Bluehair

Add FX Meister to your ignore list?

<click> submit

Ahhh... wonderful...

(best damn feature boards.ie has )


Back on topic.. The whole eye-testing thing is still a bit of an impediment to the career esp as laser-surgery immediately rules you out (something to do with worsening night-sight?).

Real shame too as I would have loved to be a pilot myself. Must admit though I've no regrets the lifestyles not for everyone. Pilots have one of the highest divorce rates of any job.

kermit_ie

seamus wrote:

I never realised that the upper age limit for the Air Corps was 25. Surely this could be challenged on discrimination grounds?

You'll find the Defence Forces have an exemption on most legistation, including sections of the Road Traffic Act, Health and Safety at Work Act (all of it), and Equality Legislation, in the following circumstances:

( a ) On active service;
( b ) Engaged in action in the course of operational duties at
sea;
( c ) Engaged in operations in Aid to the Civil Power; or
( d ) Engaged in training directly associated with any of the
above mentioned activities.

unkel

FX Meister wrote:

I fly a Bowing

And I drive a yotota doroller :rolleyes:

Third_Echelon

Borzoi wrote:

Possibly is like that now - I started applying in the early nineties - got to first round interviews with Aer Lingus. 2nd round with BA - they're a class act TBH

...... Best of luck with the dream though - it's still a major regret of mine

Same as myself. Did the interviews for AL and BA... still regret not going for it in a way, but if i had gone for it, it would have been very likely that I would have been let go by AL after the 9/11 happenings...

Happy with my career now though...

pilson

To the original poster of this thread:

Be careful about taking advice from this thread. Ive read through most of it and theres a lot of BS in it...
I've been flying light aircraft for about 8 years now. I got a ppl at National Flight Centre at Weston Aerodrome... Previously called Aerial Advertising ltd when I was training....
Someone said the standard of training there is below par. thats untrue. The training there is very highly regarded by recruiting airlines... They had me flying solo after only 8 hours of training... I was flying Weston-Shannon-Galway after ~30 hours... A lot of guys who came through that school have jobs with the airlines now. If you cant afford the 12 month 0-frozen atpl courses offered at Oxford or Jerez, then consider:
- getting a ppl
- hour building
- cpl
- instructors rating
then work as an instructor for a few years whilst doing a twin engine ifr rating. There is a brilliant sim at weston approved for this training that will knock a whole pile of money off the costs...

Im just going into my final year of Uni and will go for the cpl/instructors rating next Summer... But if youve any questions about how to get to the stage Im at then just ask.

As for location, your flight training must be carried out at a registered training facility. A list of such places listed here:
http://www.iaa.ie/safe_reg/lic_rtf.asp
Im sure youll find somewhere closer to Monaghan then Dublin however you may only be able to train to the ppl/hour building stage there...

I read someone say going abroad is cheaper... Also UNTRUE....
flying cost per hour are cheaper elsewhere but factor in Flights, Accomodation, Living expenses, car hire etc etc... And youll be doing well to break even....
Keith.

pilson

Also, you should have a medical done before you part with any cash...
You need a class1 medical for commercial flying
a class2 for private flying...

Tibike

Hi all!
Does everyone know how old you must be to start an spl trainig or to take an spl exam in ireland? My son is 14 and he want to learn flying
Thanks

donkey balls

you can start your training at sixteen but to hold a ppl you must be seventeen all the answers you need can be found on here http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=144&n=199 its also best to do a medical before parting with any cash for flight training

Tibike

Thanks for the quick answer!