Before You Complete Your CPL, You Must Do This

If you want to pursue an airline pilot career sooner rather than later, then I suggest you do not complete your CPL, or as least cover your bases before you do.

Flying schools want students to complete their PPL to CPL training, that’s what they singed up for and that is where the flight-training organisations, want to see you get to. I am suggesting that there is something else you could be doing if your goal is to join an airline sooner rather than in a couple of years post CPL.

I am talking about self-funded flying students of various ages.

There is something that nobody seems to be telling flying students, and that is… once you have your CPL there are very few options for moving directly into an airline role. 

Most of you will have to choose Flight Instructor or General Aviation flying roles (charter, scenic etc…) and spend a few years in remote locations building hours until you meet the direct entry airline SO or FO requirements. Or apply for the very limited Advanced Airline Cadet roles post CPL.

Many of you are not aware that there are many more ‘Ab Initio’ Airline Cadet opportunities than ‘Advanced Airline Cadet’ roles. So right up until you gain your CPL, you can apply for Ab Initio Cadetships.

My recommendation is that you do both, continue towards your CPL, while at the same time applying for the Ab Initio Airline Cadetships.

If you would like our 7-page fact sheet that outlines the options for entry level flying careers in the Airlines and the Defence Force

Email me at: info@pinstripesolutions.com

Subject : 7-page fact sheet – Entry Level Pilots.

AUTHOR BIO

Kirsty is a feature contributor to Australian Aviation Magazine and Aeortime.aero and www.aviationjobsearch.com Blog

Kirstys blog on communication and careers is widely ready by over 20,000 first connection members on LinkedIn, Facebook and www.pinstripesolutions.com

Kirstys first book “The Albino Chameleon – Building The Story of You” will be available in the second half of 2019. www.thealbinochameleon.com www.kirstyanneferguson.com

Kirsty has lectured at Sydney University and Griffith University on careers, communication, aviation and self-confidence.

You can listen to Kirsty on the iTunes favourite “Go All In” podcast and “Australian Aviation Radio”.