Questions and answers about pilot training

Although we have tried to answer all the questions you might have, you might still have no answer to just that one particular question ;

• What do Boeing and Airbus expect about the future and current shortage of pilots?

  Airbus Global Market Forecast 2010-2029
http://www.airbus.com/company/market/gmf2010/ Boeing Boeing Issues Forecasts for Pilot Hiring and Airliner Purchases
http://www.prlog.org/10953195-boeing-issues-forecasts-for-pilot-hiring-and-airliner-purchases.html http://www.boeing.com/commercial/cmo/pilot_technician_forecast.html More than 700 airplanes, worth $80 billion, needed in region over 20 years
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1428 Changes needed in training methodologies to engage next generation
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1424

• How can you obtain a JAA ATPL?

  There are three ways to obtain papers for professional pilots: through an integrated course, using the new Multi Pilot Licence (MPL) or through a modular course.integrated trainingThe integrated course takes you full-time from 0 hours experience to a JAA frozen ATPL. The integrated course is the most intensive and effective way to start your career in aviation. If you opt for an integrated course, you have decided to become a professional pilot and do not want to be distracted by external factors. You train in a class with students that have the same goal and this allows you to share your experiences and help each other during training.Stella Aviation Academy only offers integrated courses. Experience shows that most airlines prefer this. The advantage for an airline is that they can better gauge what the likely quality of the candidate will be. Even more important for an airline, students in the integrated course train from day one in a multi crew' environment. Multi Pilot Licence (MPL)The second option is the Multi Pilot Licence (MPL). This is a new rating that is currently being implemented by ICAO. Until now, the MPL is a company-specific training that Stella offers to airlines. This feature is not offered to individual students.modular trainingThe modular program allows you the training modules in small increments - to follow and is ideal if you cannot follow the full course.

• How to become a professional pilot?

  To apply for a job as a First Officer and later be eligible to become a Captain with an airline you need a (frozen) JAA Airline Transport pilot's License (ATPL).

• What is better: an integrated course or modular training?

  It is not so much the question of what training is better, because both training you train for the same certification, but more "what do most airlines prefer?". The advantage for an airline is that it is easier to understand the expected standard of the candidate students who have followed Integrated training. This is particularly important if an airline needs to hire larger groups of people.

• What are the JAA ATPL Theoretical Knowledge Exams?

  "Before you can start your CPL and to obtain a frozen ATPL theory exams, you get 14 exams:. Radio navigation Flight Planning Principles of Flight Airframes and Systems Meteorology Mass and Balance Air Law Human Performance Aircraft Performance VFR & IFR Communications General Navigation Operational Procedures Instruments

• What can you expect during training?

  "Once you have passed all exams, you obtain a 'frozen' Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). This means you met all the JAA requirements and receive the following certifications / endorsements: RT (Radio Telephony license) CPL (Commercial Pilot License) ME (Multi Engine) Class Rating IR-SE (Single Engine Instrument Rating) ME-IR (Multi-Engine Instrument Rating) MCC (Multi Crew Co-operation) certificateAll these licences together mean you meet the hiring requirements of most airlines for Ab Initio students. Based on these licences an airline still might require you to obtain additional Type Ratings on different aircraft types.

• On which site can I find information about vacancies?

  Job sites

 Bestaviation.net Jobs
 Career Guide My Pilot Career


• Is there demand for pilots?

  Since no flight school or airline can precisely predict how many pilots will be necessary, when and where, it is important to monitor the market. You want to make sure you make the right decision before you invest in your education. In response to the recent crisis, Stella reduced the number of students starting in Europe from 200 to 120 per year. Stella graduates currently have a waiting list of on average six months to a year. Although a waiting list is not fun, it is nowhere near the five years that were common in the seventies. The European market is slowly picking up with a number of large German and British companies are hiring again. Positive exceptions are companies in Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China and India who throughout the crisis continued to take on pilots. As a student of Stella, you are trained to the highest international standards to ensure that you will be able to work with airlines worldwide.

• What is a JAA Commercial Pilot

  After obtaining your ATPL theoretical exams, a successful check flight and a minimum of 100 hours as Pilot in Command on a Single or Multi Engine and 200 hours Total Time, you will receive a CPL. This allows you to operate as a FO on a commercial flight to operate after obtaining a Type-Rating.

• What is a JAA Frozen ATPL?

  After graduation you will have a Commercial Pilot License, but the theory of the Air Transport Pilot License. After 1500 hours actively flying your ATPL can be unfrozen. In other words: at that stage you could become a Captain on a commercial aircraft heavier than 5700 kg. However, In practice you probably stay a First Officer longer because the airlines tend to demand higher hours and might use seniority and/or competence criteria before they upgrade you to the left seat.

• What is a Multi Engine Rating?

  A Multi Engine Rating is a rating on your certificate that allows you to fly aircraft with more than one engine.

• What is a Multi Engine Instrument Rating?

  A Multi Engine Instrument Rating is a rating on your certificate that allows you to operate aircraft with more than one engine in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). This allows you to control a plane on instruments only without a view outside the cockpit, such as in clouds or during bad weather.

• What is a MCC?

  Once the Commercial Pilot Licence and Multi Engine Instrument Rating exam have completed you move on to the airline orientation phase. This training is controlled by the Stella Aviation TRTO (Type Rating Training Organization). The airline orientation phase is a bridge course that prepares you for the big airlines. You will learn everything to start your career: how to prepare for an interview, you follow a competency course, you learn discussing your SHAPE Profile and finally do a Multi Crew Cooperation Course on an Alsim 20 MCC simulator or a Boeing 737 Next Generation Full Flight Simulator. Here you learn to work together in a multi-crew environment. All MCC Stella Aviation instructors work or have worked as Captain or First Officer at an airline.

• What is a Type Rating?

  After obtaining your initial CPL certification you may fly on most piston aircraft. For any other type of aircraft you must do additional training to learn everything about that specific aircraft and how to fly it followed with an exam. Such training is called a "Type Rating". Some companies prefer to do this training themselves and others subcontract this to an independent Type Rating Training Organisations (TRTO).

• How long does the training take?

  The training lasts on average 24 months-depending on the weather sometimes a little longer and sometimes shorter.

• What is the first step to become a professional Pilot?

  Before you are allowed on the course you have to go through a tough selection. The selection will test whether you have sufficient talent and capabilities for the training ahead and whether you are suitable for the profession of a professional pilot. At the same time we want to make sure that have what it takes to become a Captain in the long run. The selection consists of four phases:

• What are the entry requirements?

  Netherlands: you need at least a diploma at havo level with English, mathematics and physics. Turkey: you have a university degree with English, mathematics A or B and physics 
 Other nationality? Contact us for more information. You can also visit an information day or subscribe via our website.

• What if you have no classes in mathematics and physics. What should you do?

  If you do not have physics in the curriculum, you can still start the course, after you have completed a positive selection.You can use a certificate of physics (at HAVO level) reach  through a correspondence course during your training. Before the start of the course, you need to have a mathematics certificate at HAVO level. Mathematics A is sufficient. We recommend that you first visit an information day. You can register using the registration form. "

• Why is there a selection?

  To make sure that you have the right capabilities, we'd extensively test you. The tests that we use are largely the same as that airlines use. It is our goal to make sure that prior to investing a lot of money in yourself you know that have what it takes.

• What can you expect during the selection?

  Before you are allowed on the course you have to go through a tough selection. The selection will test whether you have sufficient talent and capabilities for the training ahead and whether you are suitable for the profession of a professional pilot. At the same time we want to make sure that have what it takes to become a Captain in the long run. The selection consists of four phases:

• How many people pass the selection?

  On average 60% fail during the selection. Most people fail the sensorimotor tests.

• Is flying a 'man only'-job?

  No, certainly not! More and more girls follow the training to become a professional pilot. Visit our school and speak with one of our female students.

• Can you become a professional pilot when wearing glasses?

  Wearing glasses does not imply that you can not be a pilot. The deviation must be between -5 and +5 or the specific rules of an airline. If you are unsure whether your eyes are good, you better get your eyes tested first. Make an appointment with an Aeromedical Expert Centre for an eye test.

• Can you become a pilot if you are colour blind?

  There is a limited degree of colour blindness that is allowed but generally not. If you are unsure whether your eyes are good, it is best that you have your eyes test first. Make an appointment at an Aeromedical Expert Centre for a test.

• Can you become a pilot when you are night blind?

  Unfortunately you can not become a pilot with night blindness.

• You have an eye disorder. Can you still become a pilot?

  If in doubt make sure you first pass a JAA Aviation first class. Any JAA Aviation Medical center is in the best position to advise you on this.

• What is the maximum age to sign up to become a student at Stella?

  Normally, the maximum age is 29 years for the Integrated training, but in specific cases we can vary. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation.

• What medical certification do you need?

  Have a medical examination for professional pilot class 1 first from a JAA Aviation Medical Centre. They are in the best position to advise you.

• Is there demand for pilots in the Netherlands?

  There has been no significant recruitment on the Dutch market in the last two years and with Denim Air stopping and the current problems with Martinair this will probably not change in the short term. Should this stop you? If you only want to work in Netherlands it might, there are two major parties left: KLM and Transavia. KLM currently has enough people on the waiting list from the KLS flight school for the next few years. In addition, there are limited opportunities with operators like ArkeFly and Corendon Airlines. In summary: If you want to work in the short term in the Netherlands, chances are small. On the other hand, if you see the world as your work area, there are enough opportunities in the coming years.

• Where can you work?

  Stella trains you to gain a frozen JAA ATPL. A diploma that is recognized across Europe. In addition, many companies outside Europe also accept these certificates. However, there may be additional requirements related to experience, or theory (especially Air Law). This varies per country.

• Where do Stella-graduates work?

  Graduate students of Stella Aviation Academy work for respectable airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia, LionAir, Pegasus and Sunexpress. Close contacts with the airlines, the high acceptance rate and the good DLR pass rates of our students provide a stable source to place our graduates.

• With which companies does Stella have contacts for graduates?

  Stella has no exclusive contracts with any airline, but our Pilot Provisioning Department works on placing our graduate students with as many different companies as possible. In addition, we support our graduates with selection training to ensure that the chance that you are recruited is as high as possible.

• Can you work for KLM after training?

  For the last three years KLM has hired almost no pilots. Students of their own flight school are probably the first to bid for vacancies. Their waiting list has more than 350 students on it. Only once this list is empty, it is likely that there might be external graduates invited from other schools. The chance that you are recruited in the short term is non existent, so Stella Aviation focuses on other companies. Later, with experience, you can still apply if the market has changed. There are currently a number of Stella-graduates flying for KLM, who have successfully followed this route.

• Why do some companies require a type rating and others don't?

  In the past airlines paid or prepaid the cost of the Type Rating, Base-line and the employee (the pilot), repaid this through a loan/bond with the company. This could vary from Euro 20,000 up to Euro 55,000. During your active life with the airline each year a part of this loan was forgiven or deducted from your gross salary. If you then decided to leave early, you had to repay the reminder. With the advent of Low Cost Carriers (LCC) in Europe this changed. They tend to ask you to prepay your Type Rating. In Europe there is now two main groups: the network carriers such as KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways, which is still pre-pay the Type Rating for you but who will bond you. On the other hand, companies like Ryanair, EasyJet and most leisure carriers will ask you to pre-pay.

• What jobs you can expect with or without Type Rating?

  It depends on what a company requests: arrive with a Type Rating or not? The Stella-graduates who were hired by different German carriers, have the best option: pre paid training by the airline and a good salary . The students who went to Low Cost Carriers have usually paid a Type Rating themselves. You are entirely dependent of the company which is willing to hire you and the general demand for pilots. Everything depends on the market in about two years. If there is a great shortage of pilots, there will be probably much less airlines who desire that pilots themselves pay a Type Rating.

• How much can you earn as a pilot?

  Your salary depends on several factors: your age, the number of years you worked for an airline, your flight hours experience, state of the market,  what airline do you work for and what type of aircraft you fly. Indicative: the starting salary of a Co-pilot lies generally between the Euro 2,500 +/-3,500 gross per month. As Commander of a large passenger aircraft that can become a salary as high as 150,000 to 200,000 euro per year. However, this is only a very limited group. The best information can be found on www.ppjn.com. where pilots who work at a company put their own company data on the internet.

• What is the cost of the ATPL course?

  The cost of regular ATPL training program to become a professional pilot,

• What additional cost are applicable?

  The travel and subsistence costs are not included in this amount yet there, nor the cost of the uniform. For budgeting needs you can assume a guide number for housing of approximately euro; 300,-/month.

• How can you pay for that?

  Students in the Netherlands can make use of special services of the pilots desk of ABN AMRO. Stella Aviation Academy backs funding. It is therefore not necessary that your parents underwrite your loan: Stella does! ABN AMRO are the specialists in the field of flight training financing in the Netherlands and Belgium and we recommend that you also discuss the possibilities of financing your education with them.

• What are the costs of recurrency, if you don't have a job directly after graduation?

  When you're done with your training do you have a number of fixed costs to keep your certification valid: such as the renewal of your Instrument certification, your Multi Engine Piston Rating, your Medical and your Single Engine Piston. In addition, we recommend that you always keep your knowledge level up to speed with additional sim-sessions and prepare yourselves extra for your gradings with airlines. A guide figure is between 2,000 and 5,000 Euro-per annum to a 'grading' status ready to continue. If you use our Job guarantee plan, then all these costs are paid for by Stella!

• Why do we have a Job Guarantee Programme?

  Stella started this program to meet the demand of students who are afraid that after completing their training, they cannot find a job. We think that is an difficult situation. The last few years, Stella has helped hundreds of students in finding a job at various renowned airlines. Stella feels that it is an obligation. With the Job Guarantee Programme Stella goes a step further and the students actually receive the guarantee that he or she at the end of the training actually will get a job as a pilot. Stella offers the Job Guarantee Programme for an amount of 10,000 Euros on top of the current training cost of 107.500 euro. Stella has a special team composed of specialists to mediate the graduate students for a job. Below you can see all the differences between the regular training and the Job Guarantee Programme.

• How much does the Job Guarantee Programme cost?

  Stella offers the Job Guarantee Programme for an amount of 10,000 euro, This amount is on top of the current training costs of 107.500 euro (subject to change).

• What does the Job Guarantee Programme entail?

  The Job Guarantee Programme simply means that we jointly run the risk that you get a job or not. For the extra euro 10,000,-you not only receive the job guarantee, but we keep all your certificates and medical valid, something that otherwise would cost you almost 5,000 euro-per annum. And the best thing about the guarantee: you decide if you wish the extra security or not.

• What kind of jobs you can expect with the Job Guarantee Programme?

• Can you become an instructor if you're in the Job Guarantee Programme?

  On average we take on four of our top-students as an instructor per annum after a rigorous selection procedure . The chance that you can become an instructor with the Job Guarantee Programme, is hence small.

• How do you know that a school is financially stable?

  If a bank accepts the guarantee of a school for the entire training amount as a guarantor instead of parents, than that is a good sign. It means that the bank is confident that the school is financially stable. You can then assume that the bank has checked the finances of the school thoroughly. If a school cannot stand as a guarantor of your loan than make sure you spend more time on researching this and don't pay the entire amount in advance.

• Does Stella have a sponsored or mentored program?

  Stella currently has a sponsored program for Turkish students who go to SunExpress. We are actively developing more programs. We can recommend a non Stella program at  Lufthansa (see: http://www.lufthansa-pilot.de/) After a high quality study at a low subsidised price there is a job with one of the best working conditions in the industry.

• What kind of jobs does Stella try to find for their graduates?

  "There are different types of jobs on the market: The questions we get are: "What kind of airline jobs is offered to me, Should I accept a summer contract; With what salary should I settle? The answer is simple: we try to find job security for you in a job as a pilot, where you are able to own your financial obligations. This equates to a minimum of

• How do you know what the demand for pilots is?

  "There is currently great demand for pilots, but hardly in the Netherlands. Demand outside the Netherlands in the coming years is likely to grow. These are not our words but from the ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization of the United Nations. (http://www2.icao.int/en/NewsRoom/Lists/News/Attachments/35/PIO.03.11.EN.pdf) Boeing also has its own analysis based on the expected growth in the use of aircraft worldwide. Have a look at the analysis of Airbus http://www.airbus.com/company/market/gmf2010/. It contains not so much pilots needed but gives a good indication of expected growth in aircraft. These are bodies with no interest in the flight school market so fairly objective. Looking at the total aircraft market you can calculate the need for pilots. There will be huge demand for pilots, despite the impact of external events need (temporarily) temper, as oil prices, terrorism, the Greek financial market and other disasters. Stella Aviation believes that demand continues to be greater than the supply, especially outside the Netherlands, even if the reports only 50% true.

• You can buy hours after your training to gain experience?

  Stella does not have hours building programmes and advises people not to do this. The absolute minimum that is acceptable, is a self funded Type Rating for a reputable operator with a paid job at the end. This is not something most hours building programmes guarantee. In other words: you pay for your Type Rating, hours, travel and subsistence costs and you will receive no salary. We warn for these programs! You have to realize that you run the financial risk, and there is generally no job at the end.

• Should you buy a Type Rating after your training?

  Only buy a Type Rating from a reputable TRTO if there is a paid job at the end. Never buy a speculative Type Rating and never one without line training.

• Why do some airlines ask that you have a Type Rating?

  Low Cost Carriers prefer to hire people with a Type Rating to keep their costs low.

• Who owns the Stella Aviation Groep?

  Stella Aviation Group is part of the Steltenberg Groep BV. Besides the Academy, Stella Aircraft Maintenance is one of the largest general aviation and maintenance companies in the Netherlands. We are proud of our dealership or partnership with: Cessna Authorized Service Centre Garmin Authorized Service & Installation Centre Centurion Authorized Service Centre Aircraft Spruce Authorized Distributor McFarlane Authorized Distributor IFTC Istanbul Training Centre Training Partner

• What kind of certificate does the de Stella Aviation Groep?

  The Stella Aviation Groep is IVW JAA/EASA certified: Flying Training Organization (FTO) Type Rating Training Organization (TRTO) EASA Part-145 Maintenance organization EASA Part-M, Subpart G (CAMO+)

• How long does Stella Aviation Academy exist?

  Stella Aviation Academy was started in 1982 as flight school Rob van den Sigtenhorst. In 2002 we are acquired by The Steltenberg Group BV. After the acquisition Stella Aviation Academy has become the largest school in the Netherlands with its own fleet of 38 planes, ca. 50 instructors and more than 100 man staff throughout the Stella Aviation Group.

• What training is available at the Stella Aviation Academy?

  Stella Aviation Academy specializes in two activities: Flight Training Organization (FTO) for Ab Initio training , Stella can train up to 200 people annually. In other words, in good times there are approximately 400 students at a time in the school. Due to the crisis, the intake is reduced to 120. Type Rating Training Organization (TRTO) specializing in B737 and A320 Type Ratings. In the past year the TRTO has taken care of more than 200 MCC and B737 Type Ratings courses.

• How many students does Stella Aviation Academy train per year?

  Stella can 200 man training per year. In other words: in good times, there are about 400 students at the school at any one time. Because of the crisis the intake has been brought back up to 120. Since the Dutch market is still locked and the Turkish market is booming, Stella has started a school in Turkey for Turkish students. In the first year, we expect about 50 Turkish students. We are very happy that we have a contract with SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, to train 40 Turkish students for them.

• Why did Stella open a school in Turkey?

  The best opportunities for pilots in the coming years lie in the Middle East and Asia and to a lesser extent in Europe. In the last few years there was a huge growth in the Turkish market, where demand for pilots is greater than supply. Together with the Gözen Group http://www.gozenair.com/ , the largest independent airline group in Turkey, we decided to use the knowledge and experience of the Stella Aviation Academy in Turkey. The school in Dalaman will replace part of the training in the Netherlands and the US. Part of the Turkish training will take place in Maastricht.

• How about the recruitment policy of British Airways?

  Information about the British Airways Future Pilot Programme can be found here http://www.bafuturepilot.com/

• Where can I find information about a possible shortage of pilots

  Please do read these articles to give you a better feel for the market:Pilot shortage warning as cash crisis hits recruits
http://www.balpa.org/News-and-campaigns/News/PILOT-SHORTAGE-WARNING.aspxDemand for airline pilots set to soar
http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2011/06/Demand-for-airline-pilots-set-to-soar/48661596/1U.S. Pilot Shortage, Though Delayed, Is Real
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news/PILOTS03128.xmlPilot Shortage May Develop as Job Loses Luster
http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=21797Airline pilot shortage facing UK, union Balpa warns
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11691204Future pilot supply for the airlines
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/21/347437/future-pilot-supply-for-the-airlines.htmlRest Rules Could Create Pilot Shortage?
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/rest_rules_pilot_shortage_american_FAA_ntsb_fatigue_204144-1.html

• Where can you find general aviation news?

  The best website is the widely respected: www.FlightGlobal.com

• What American Airlines pilots have (recently) hired?

  On the website FltOps.com you will find overviews of which U.S. companies have recently hired pilots. see for example Major Airline Pilot Hiring