Airlines and their way of looking at your logbook/training (EASA)
Posted by Particular_Concert60@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 11 comments
So, I currently do my flight training in Greece but I officially live in the Netherlands.
Due to a Dutch law it is only allowed to stay out of the country for 8 months per year, meaning you need to be in the country for 4 months.
I have spoken with some airline pilots and they said to me that it is really bad if you would have a few months (gaps) in your logbook, and that airlines don't like to see that, is that true?
If this would be the case I had in mind of maybe doing some flights in the Netherlands to stay current, but...
Even that was not good since you show airlines that you only fly for fun and not for a professional reason. Due to this statement I again would like to ask if this is true or not.
The reason why I would like some clarification on this is because I've never heard this before, not from a single FI.
I hope you guys (preferably pilots who work at airlines) can give me some insight on how it works, thanks.
Boris_the_pipe@reddit
Gaps in flying are only a problem for current airline pilots. It doesn't apply to students
VirvekRBX@reddit
I can’t speak from personal experience, but if airlines didn’t hire pilots just because of a gap in their logbooks, probably half the current airline pilots wouldn’t be flying right now.
They’ll likely ask you about the gap, so make sure you have a clear and honest explanation ready. Life happens — maybe you lost a job, couldn’t find one (like a lot of us right now), had something happen in your family, or even dealt with a medical issue. Just be careful with how you explain medical stuff — wording matters a lot there.
Particular_Concert60@reddit (OP)
Very true, I could always clarify the reason behind it. When I was told about this I couldn't (still can't) really believe it.
Also, if this would be the case I'd assume it to be more commonly known, it's the first time I've heard about it.
I was also told that your ATPL score can determine if you get accepted in an airline or not. Doesn't it just matter that you passed the exams?
HardCorePawn@reddit
Given 1 job... and 100s or 1000s of applicants... who would you take? A person who got 99% on the exams... or one who got 71%?
Weasel474@reddit
Was gonna say that I was surprised you guys ask for the test scores, but my airline in the US wanted a high school transcript from over a decade ago, so...
Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
Zero issues whatsoever, if we're talking about hour building.
It becomes more of an issue, if you haven't found a job in 4 years, and the only flying you've been doing is revalidating your IR/ME once a year, as your skills obviously won't even nearly be equal to someone, who's just finished flight school yesterday.
HardCorePawn@reddit
I assume this is related to residency and the fact that you're not a Dutch citizen?
I can't comment specifically on EU airlines, but if you have a valid reason for "gaps" in your logbook (extended furlough, a broken leg, flight school going bust, COVID, residency law etc) then I don't see how it could be an issue?
Perhaps you can do more, shorter trips back to the Netherlands? So, the gaps in your logbook are shorter and not a big 4 month chunk? Like 2 weeks every 2 months or something?
I'm not sure why "flying for fun" would be looked upon poorly? Maintaining currency, even if it is an hour of circuits once a month, is better than not flying at all.
However, EU airlines are a bit different... a lot of cadets with 250 hour "frozen" ATPLs etc. Maybe get in touch with the HR/Recruitment people at some airlines you may be interested in and see if they can clarify. Do they have any recruitment/info evening type events? If so, attend one of those and ask.
Particular_Concert60@reddit (OP)
I am a Dutch citizen, that is basically the reason why I need to be in the Netherlands for 4 months a year, minimum.
As of now I will go back in a week and return in September for one and a half months, primarily to do my ATPL sitting. But I will probably also do a few flights.
But then I'd have to go back again (to the Netherlands), so in November and December I will have another gap until (I think) January next year.
HardCorePawn@reddit
That doesn't seem right. Don't the 8 months "main residency" rules only apply to foreign nationals living under a residency permit?
Surely, citizens are free to travel as much as they like? Otherwise, I've met quite a few Dutch people who have broken that rule.
Particular_Concert60@reddit (OP)
Regarding recruitment events, I am not sure I'd they have them. Atleast I haven't seen any.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
So, I currently do my flight training in Greece but I officially live in the Netherlands.
Due to a Dutch law it is only allowed to stay out of the country for 8 months per year, meaning you need to be in the country for 4 months.
I have spoken with some airline pilots and they said to me that it is really bad if you would have a few months (gaps) in your logbook, and that airlines don't like to see that, is that true?
If this would be the case I had in mind of maybe doing some flights in the Netherlands to stay current, but...
Even that was not good since you show airlines that you only fly for fun and not for a professional reason. Due to this statement I again would like to ask if this is true or not.
The reason why I would like some clarification on this is because I've never heard this before, not from a single FI.
I hope you guys (preferably pilots who work at airlines) can give me some insight on how it works, thanks.
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