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Thread: Pilots are bracing for a three-year coronavirus shutdown

  1. #1
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    Pilots are bracing for a three-year coronavirus shutdown

    Pilots are bracing for a three-year coronavirus shutdown and want help to keep them in aviation

    Pilots are bracing for a three-year coronavirus shutdown and want help to keep them in aviation - ABC News

    Veteran pilots may need re-training

    Mr Sedgwick said Australian pilots were required to fly at least once every 45 days to be allowed to use their Civil Aviation Safety Authority-issued licence.
    On top of that, Qantas pilots needed to complete four simulator flights every 12 months.

    But with planes grounded around the world because of COVID-19, many pilots were now unable to meet the requirements.
    Mr Sedgwick said a so-called PilotKeeper program could pay for the retraining required for pilots to eventually re-enter the skies.





  2. #2
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    I think I am going to call for a Self-Funded Retiree Keeper program!

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    ... and at the end of 3 years, how many pilots will be current ?
    - Or capable of re-qualifying....?
    - Excluding the ones who now prefer driving a truck out in the boonies ?

    Gosh, there's "NO" pilots left to fly passenger planes, - good thing we've been perfecting Remote Control and Autonomous planes.... just like the mining industry now runs their big dump trucks, and 3 km-long trains.....

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    Quote Originally Posted by superquag View Post
    ... and at the end of 3 years, how many pilots will be current ?
    - Or capable of re-qualifying....?
    - Excluding the ones who now prefer driving a truck out in the boonies ?

    Gosh, there's "NO" pilots left to fly passenger planes, - good thing we've been perfecting Remote Control and Autonomous planes.... just like the mining industry now runs their big dump trucks, and 3 km-long trains.....
    Until such time as computers are capable of critical reasoning, pilotless airline passenger planes will remain a pipe dream.

    The issue of recency is a real threat to airlines. Qantas had to move their simulator centre in Constellation Drive due to a road going through the jetbase.
    The two most common places for simulators are Melbourne and Brisbane. Getting to these places from interstate is a real issue with border closures and quarantine at the moment.
    With both the airlines operating a significantly smaller schedule, there's just not enough flying to go around. They are keeping a core group of pilots current to service the schedule.
    CASA has given a limited number of extensions for simulator checks. Qantas does 4 per year, Virgin does 2x2 days per year. Extensions are given on operational need. For example, I was given a 2 month extension last week, because there is no simulator in Sydney. I've been lucky in the fact that I've received a trickle of flying on stand-down. Just enough to stay current, which is not ideal. A lot of my mates have fallen out of currency, and I will too if they can't get me into the sim by September. That depends on the borders.

    The amount of training one needs to requalify depends on how long it is since you completed a check. For example, I will be 2 months out of check, and will have to complete a day or two of training in the simulator, before doing the 2-day check I would have been due to do in December.

    Whether people stick around waiting to be retrained and stood back up remains to be seen. That depends on what assistance (jobkeeper, etc) is available, and what people can afford.

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    Normally I wouldn't 'bite' - but the chain of this rumour is pretty solid, going back to a high -up & long-time Virgin Pilot.

    One of my sons who used to be a Flight Attendent was given this, via the above, - (along with other relevant news etc, of his now-jobless mates) .... that the ultimate owner of the potential (?) buyer of 'Virgin' is.... the country which gave us cheap solar panels, cheaper electronics and manufactures the expensive iPhone.

    Please tell me he's wrong !!!

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by superquag View Post
    Normally I wouldn't 'bite' - but the chain of this rumour is pretty solid, going back to a high -up & long-time Virgin Pilot.

    One of my sons who used to be a Flight Attendent was given this, via the above, - (along with other relevant news etc, of his now-jobless mates) .... that the ultimate owner of the potential (?) buyer of 'Virgin' is.... the country which gave us cheap solar panels, cheaper electronics and manufactures the expensive iPhone.

    Please tell me he's wrong !!!
    I work for the same company. There has been no mention of any owner apart from Bain Capital. Airlines leak like sieves with rumours. That rumour is one that is not doing the rounds. Not saying your rumour is false, but there has certainly been no speculation among pilots as to who the real owner may end up being.

    We have had significant job losses in my company. Around 3000. A lot of my mates have lost their jobs. I don't know whether I'll have a job in October. I'm just lucky I'm on the fleet that Bain are keeping for the moment. If I lose my job, it's unlikely I'll ever fly again, and end up on the social security scrap heap - which will be a first.

    I can assure you that Virgin staff don't care one iota which country owns the airline. We just want to keep our jobs.

    Rex - mainly Singaporean ownership. The only reason Qantas isn't a majority foreign-owned company is because of the Qantas Sale Act. Joyce has tried to get that changed in the past.

  7. #7
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    Whatever next? Crisis becomes normal

    Grim outlook presented here:

    Whatever next? Crisis becomes normal | Flight Safety Australia

    The aviation industry has undergone a tectonic shift during the pandemic and flight crews are seeing their careers abruptly on hold. In what form will the industry emerge, given shifting attitudes to business and leisure travel?



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