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- Career Guidance
| We have included this section to help and explain the opportunities available to those students who continue to work towards the professional Pilot License level, and there after how to get about with their "way forward" plans. I've also thought it prudent to include some of the many pitfalls or setbacks that await the financially unwary in what is otherwise a very honorable profession. | |
| Before you begin | |
| Before you embark, it is most important that you get a assessment from your country's "Civil Aviation Dept;" about the recognition of the license you are hoping to get, Is the License fully recognized by your civil aviation when you return back home., ..? the conversion process...! Do you require to sit the entire papers once again and only 50% of your flying will be counted towards the conversion. If so why you should go to a state where there is no recognition for those licenses ..? | |
| About the training industry | |
| Aviation worldwide is a recurring market and the industry is affected predominantly by economics, politics and some part of the globe with acute terrorism..ect. 9/11 had a negative impact on the airline industry, while in other regions tourism sustained and some picked up and all the local airlines and charter companies fared rather well... | |
| Cadet Programs | |
| Often you may note that many mega airlines have their own "cadet pilot" training programs for their own nationalities. These programs are being sponsored by respective airlines and those eligible will embark on flying training from ab-initio to professional pilot license standards, with a "frozen ATPL" status at the end of the course. Some programs continue with "Line Orientated Flght Training (LOFT) engaging a corporate jet, may be a Citation or Lear to carry out company routes prior to F/O training... | |
| Outside the airline | |
| Not all pilots choose an airline career. There are many other specialties just as rewarding. Other areas available are crop spraying, although I don't recommend it if you intend going the airline route. Airlines prefer hiring pilots with multi-crew, multi-engine experience from structured environments. Nevertheless – it is well paid but obviously seasonal. Some crop sprayers alternate their work between northern and southern hemispheres to work all year long. Possession of a "instructor rating" will always assist you in gaining hours without any cost on flying, this also help you to maintain your license currency at all times... | |
| What it takes | |
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has the ability to become a professional pilot. In fact, some people shouldn't fly at all! Not because they can't fly well - but because they can't think well! Cocky, over-confident, egocentric pilots are not desirable and tend to be short lived in this job. The saying "there are old pilots and bold pilots – but no old bold pilots" is true. With the responsibilities and consequences involved, you... One small tip – guard your reputation well! Airlines do their homework meticulously. Internationally this is a close knit community and if you have a reputation as a heavy drinking Casanova or a flamboyant show-off, you can rest assured the selection board will know about it before you arrive for the interview. Better have some answers ready! |
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| Remuneration | |
Obviously this is a difficult subject to generalise on as salaries vary extensively around the world. |
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| I hope this chapter goes some way in helping you make a decision about your future. Obviously all the aspects cannot be covered in such a short section so if there's any further advice you need please feel free to contact myself at the contact addresses on this website or my mobile phone.. | |
| Best of luck, | |
| Capt Suranjan De Silva ATPL;IRE/CRE;FIE;FEE: MCMI;MCILT;AMRAeS(UK), Director / CEO & Head of Pilot Trg; Asian Academy of Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd;-SL Aviation Consultant / CAA Flight Examiner, Maldives Mobile: +960 759 9149 (International Roaming) Sri Lanka Mobile: +94 777 342 173 (International Roaming) Email: ceo.ht@aaa-fta.com Alt: pesuren@sltnet.lk |
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