Folks,
I am after a concensus as to how 'easy' or 'difficult' and the general time frame it would take to log 1500 hours as an ATP. I have heard some have done this in as little as 18 months..
Obviously, (I realise the answers will be subjective) however, I am assuming the only way to acquire 1500 (minimum) hours as an ATP is to be employed by a regional airline like Zoom or the likes...??
What is the process?
Old Smokey
Canadian ATP with 1500 hours - Time Frame?
Moderators: Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
First, I wouldn't be so fast to call Zoom a regional airline 
767s hopping between Canada and Europe is not exactly what I'd call 'regional'
After you get the CPL (0.5-1.5 yrs), your best hope is getting on as a F/O on a multi/turbine. This will probably mean 900-1000 hrs/yr.
767s hopping between Canada and Europe is not exactly what I'd call 'regional'
After you get the CPL (0.5-1.5 yrs), your best hope is getting on as a F/O on a multi/turbine. This will probably mean 900-1000 hrs/yr.
Most people that I know got their ATPL anywhere between 3-6 years after they got their CPL depending on the type of flying they did.
If you want your ATPL as quick as possible, your best bet would be to fly for a really busy Northern operator. A lot of pilots get anywhere between 800-1200 hours a year. Keep in mind however, if you're flying as an F/O, your time only counts as 1/2 towards the ATPL. So suddenly 1000 hours a year is only 500 hours a year towards your ATPL and you need to have at 'er for at least 3 years.
There are also more specific time requirements such as 25 hours night PIC cross country.
If you want your ATPL as quick as possible, your best bet would be to fly for a really busy Northern operator. A lot of pilots get anywhere between 800-1200 hours a year. Keep in mind however, if you're flying as an F/O, your time only counts as 1/2 towards the ATPL. So suddenly 1000 hours a year is only 500 hours a year towards your ATPL and you need to have at 'er for at least 3 years.
There are also more specific time requirements such as 25 hours night PIC cross country.
Going from zero hours to 1500 in 18 months is hard work, and
doesn't happen in Canada.
In the USA, I have met instructors who had been flying for
one year, and had gone from zero to 1000 hours in one year,
but they flew EVERY day, and they were really burned out.
Could you fly today, in eastern Ontario? Nope. Freezing rain
today. Nobody flew yesterday, either AFAIK (except my 15
year old kid) and I doubt anyone is going to fly light aircraft
around here tomorrow, either. Lot of snow that needs to be
plowed, first.
If you want 1500 hours in 18 months, and you have no hours
or licences right now, I might suggest buying a C150 and hiring
a freelance instructor, and flying in a location which is VFR and
flyable almost every single day, because you can't afford to
miss many. Fly the 150 as many hours a day as you can
physically stand. I know a guy who bought a piper colt to
build time for his ATPL. I think he just sold it, for pretty much
what he paid for it. All is cost him is for the mogas.
Another (far more expensive) route is to go to a busy flight
school, get all your ratings there, and start instructing there.
doesn't happen in Canada.
In the USA, I have met instructors who had been flying for
one year, and had gone from zero to 1000 hours in one year,
but they flew EVERY day, and they were really burned out.
Could you fly today, in eastern Ontario? Nope. Freezing rain
today. Nobody flew yesterday, either AFAIK (except my 15
year old kid) and I doubt anyone is going to fly light aircraft
around here tomorrow, either. Lot of snow that needs to be
plowed, first.
If you want 1500 hours in 18 months, and you have no hours
or licences right now, I might suggest buying a C150 and hiring
a freelance instructor, and flying in a location which is VFR and
flyable almost every single day, because you can't afford to
miss many. Fly the 150 as many hours a day as you can
physically stand. I know a guy who bought a piper colt to
build time for his ATPL. I think he just sold it, for pretty much
what he paid for it. All is cost him is for the mogas.
Another (far more expensive) route is to go to a busy flight
school, get all your ratings there, and start instructing there.
3-6 years really??
That long?
Ok, well I will be starting my PPL in June in Manitoba and going the modular route, so therefore the option of progressing from PPL will be open to me in either U.S.A or Canada.
Which route will be more viable U.S.A or Canada? This is of course taken into the equation the notion of getting a flying job afterwards etc..
I thought being an ATP was merely a case of taking the CPL and then taking the ground exams for ATP -you then have an ATP License and your hours from your CPL are carried over?
So effectively you cannot be an ATP as an F/O? or have I totally confused this?
The ATP allows you command of an aircraft.. which the F/O does not have, however, surely the hours will count??
The 18 month rule is not really fixed however, it takes into consideration a change in regulations that will be possibly enforced in 2009.
I will pick this up via PM and all will be explained.
Old Smokey
That long?
Ok, well I will be starting my PPL in June in Manitoba and going the modular route, so therefore the option of progressing from PPL will be open to me in either U.S.A or Canada.
Which route will be more viable U.S.A or Canada? This is of course taken into the equation the notion of getting a flying job afterwards etc..
I thought being an ATP was merely a case of taking the CPL and then taking the ground exams for ATP -you then have an ATP License and your hours from your CPL are carried over?
So effectively you cannot be an ATP as an F/O? or have I totally confused this?
The ATP allows you command of an aircraft.. which the F/O does not have, however, surely the hours will count??
The 18 month rule is not really fixed however, it takes into consideration a change in regulations that will be possibly enforced in 2009.
I will pick this up via PM and all will be explained.
Old Smokey
When you graduate with your CPL you will have 200 hours, you can write your ATPL exams at 750 and you earn your license at 1500 hours, FO time counts as half so if you have 100 hours of co pilot time it only counts as 50 towards your ATPL, If you are thinking of the US you need citizenship and a right to work in the US. if you don't have those yet a green card is currently around a 5 year waiting list.
What's the rush for?
1.5 years to get 1,500 hours is not a easy goal to achieve. In fact, I have never heard of anybody doing it in less then 2.5 years? Has anybody else?
There are so many factors involved (weather, your ability to learn, your ability to fly, finance, study, etc...)
Try to give yourself a more realistic time line. Unless you have a lot of money in the bank and you have your own airplane. Which can always help......
1.5 years to get 1,500 hours is not a easy goal to achieve. In fact, I have never heard of anybody doing it in less then 2.5 years? Has anybody else?
There are so many factors involved (weather, your ability to learn, your ability to fly, finance, study, etc...)
Try to give yourself a more realistic time line. Unless you have a lot of money in the bank and you have your own airplane. Which can always help......
Asking a pilot about what he thinks of Transport Canada, is like asking a fire hydrant what does he think about dogs.
Well it is not exactly a rush, but more to do with having the option open to fly in Europe on a JAR License and satisfy the beauracrats at the Civil Aviation Authority.. The CAA have stipulated that if I have an ICAO ATPL with 1500 hours (at ATP - Multi-Time) and the regulatory regime enforced at the time has not changed and I meet all other requirements then I will be allowed to convert to a JAR License...
C-GGGQ - No i do not have a Greencard and as you rightly say waiting 5 years isnt exactly going to help.
However, I am going through the PR process with CIC and this would mean Canadian Residency, I am just trying to keep my options open with regards to flying in Europe!
Iceman - Whilst I am not deliberately rushing, the rules regarding JARs are likely to change and things in Europe will become even more tougher. I am just trying to mitigate against this but the UK CAA are a bunch of
and make life difficult for no reason!
In essence, if the rules change I will have an ICAO License either FAA or TCCA and Canadian PR -which leaves no other options apart from a flying career in Canada (subject to liking the country, and moving there completely etc etc).
This opens up a whole new era as to the level of jobs available, experience required etc... but then again no one said it would be easy
C-GGGQ - No i do not have a Greencard and as you rightly say waiting 5 years isnt exactly going to help.
However, I am going through the PR process with CIC and this would mean Canadian Residency, I am just trying to keep my options open with regards to flying in Europe!
Iceman - Whilst I am not deliberately rushing, the rules regarding JARs are likely to change and things in Europe will become even more tougher. I am just trying to mitigate against this but the UK CAA are a bunch of
and make life difficult for no reason!In essence, if the rules change I will have an ICAO License either FAA or TCCA and Canadian PR -which leaves no other options apart from a flying career in Canada (subject to liking the country, and moving there completely etc etc).
This opens up a whole new era as to the level of jobs available, experience required etc... but then again no one said it would be easy
THEICEMAN, I know someone on the wet coast here that did about 1200 in about 1.5 years but he was a machine!
Old smokey, When you finish your PPL you should consider doing your commercial training in the states. Cheaper rentals with exchange, If you choose a good location almost no weather issues and commercial time building with the US FBO's is great.
something to consider.
As for working there you might be SOL
Old smokey, When you finish your PPL you should consider doing your commercial training in the states. Cheaper rentals with exchange, If you choose a good location almost no weather issues and commercial time building with the US FBO's is great.
something to consider.
As for working there you might be SOL
