What information do Airlines ask for when I apply for a job and why?
Airlines have set processes in place which they use when recruiting for different positions. It is safe to say that flight crew recruitment is somewhat more complex than any other type of recruitment, given the volume of information, data and documents required by recruiters for these positions.
In this blog we will discuss what information and documentation is required when applying for a flight crew position.
Application form
In addition to your CV, whether you are applying for a position directly with the Airline or with an agent, such as Wings Recruitment, you will be required to complete one or more application forms. Whilst every airline will have their own version of an application form, in general the information requested is similar. The most important sections of the application form are the flight hours summary section and the employment history section.
Flight hours summary section
In this section you will be asked to provide your total flight time, as well as a chronological breakdown of your hours by rank and fleet of all the aircraft types you have flown in your aviation career.
In addition, you will need to state the date of last flight on each aircraft type, and date of last simulator check on each type. This information is vital to your application. Remember that the recruiter will be looking to confirm that you meet the airline’s minimum hour requirements, so do take time to ensure that it is accurate. It is a good idea to do a cross-check with your log books to make sure the information is accurate and up to date.
Employment history section
The application form will also ask you to list all your employment history, including your current employment. When listing all your employment history, provide as much detail as possible. For more tips on how write your employment history check out our Wings blog on Pilot CV tips and tricks.
Documentation
At the time of application, airlines will generally notify you of what documents they will require from you. These documents will be needed to verify your qualifications and skills and also for licencing and immigration purposes (if you are applying for a position with a foreign airline).
You will be asked for copies of your licence, passport, first class medical and log book pages. Before forwarding these to the recruiter, check that you have scanned all the relevant pages and that the images are of good quality and readable.
Licence Verification Letter and No Accident Incident Report
The Licence Verification Letter confirms the details and validity of your licence and ratings and it is issued by the CAA of the country issuing licence.
Likewise, the No Accident Incident Report provides confirmation of no history of accidents or incidents.
Both of these documents can be obtained from your CAA, the process will vary between countries so we recommend your contact your CAA for more details on how to obtain these.
Letter of reference
The letter of reference is a very important document in the process. Ideally you will provide a recent letter of reference from your airline, confirming your rank, fleet, hours and employment dates with the airline.
Line check and simulator check reports
The airline will ask for copies of your last line check on type report and last simulator check on type report. These will need to be signed by the instructor. Some airlines will also ask to see the copy of your log book pages showing these.
No Criminal Record Report
The process of obtaining a No Criminal Record Report will vary from country to country but in general this can be requested from the Police Authorities or the Ministry of Justice. As well as determining that a candidate is of good character, flight crew who have criminal records may not be able to carry out their duties across international borders.
Need more?
At Wings Recruitment, our highly experienced flight crew recruitment consultants can assist you with any queries regarding how to obtain these documents and any other questions you have relating to the recruitment process.
For more information you can contact us directly at info@wingsrecruitment.com. You can also view all our current positions.