Commercial and IR at different FTOs

[kerrinator]

Just wondering if anyone out there as done commercial, in one FTO and IR in another, and if so, what are the pros and cons???? Thanks...

[pushapproved]

I did groundschool in Bournemouth, (Distance Learning), CPL at Shoreham and IR at Stapleford. Passed all tests/exams first time in the minimum required hours. No regrets, it was what suited me at the time!

I can see the benefit if sticking to one organisation, continuity of training etc., but I was quite happy to gain a broader experience of different training organisations. Nobody at Stapleford ever questioned any techniques I had already gained elsewhere! (However my CPL instructor had been trained by them!)

Good luck with whatever you choose! :ok:

[potkettleblack]

A mate is a F/O with a large regional TP operator. Got in as he had contacts. Interview was with the Chief Pilot. Given an absolute b*llocking as he had his PPL from here, multi rating there, CPL over there and IR somewhere else. CP took a dim view and wasn't overly happy with his answer that he was trying to save some cash. The CP's view was that he is a training risk and that he could potentially have skeletons in the closet and have been moved on from each school. Fortunately for him he knew the guys well and had excellent contacts at the airline so got in. He asked the CP that if he didn't know them would his CV have been selected for interview and was told it would have been binned when received for the above.

My view for what it is worth is why try and limit your chances. No one said this game would be cheap. Go to the best quality school that you can possibly afford and try to do all of your professional training with them.

[boogie-nicey]

Like usual the poorest like to act rich, the laziest state they work hardest and the lower rungs of the aviation ladder always acting OTT. I think it's been stated on other threads that airlines just want to see their criteria met i.e. ATPL and the hours on type.

But as usual the TP operators or even simple air taxi operators think they're running a global network with the many aircraft. I doubt different FTO's would make a BIG difference especially when you the pass the merciless CAA flight tests first time. Besides if it was so important an issue why did the Chief "God" Pilot take you on anyway, is he prepared to deny his recruitment protocols and hire a 'liability'. Nonsense as usual from those idiots that are running a flying club/civilian equivalent of a RAF squadron.

[FlyingForFun]

I did my training all over the place - at least 6 different schools on my CV. Hasn't done me any harm so far.

However, I can explain my reason for each school. Each one was the most appropriate one for that particular course. For example, I did my CPL in Florida, because I only had 3 weeks holiday from work, and I needed to be reasonably sure of the weather to be able to complete the CPL in that timescale. However, I didn't even consider doing the IR outside of the UK, because the initial test needs to be done in the UK. My FIC I did with a school who specialised in FICs, my night instructor course and my instrument instructor course at schools dicated by my employer who sponsored or part-sponsored me through the courses (a different school for each course).

FFF
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[BillieBob]

There are some recruiters who think it's important to have consistency of instruction and others who don't think it matters. However, there are no recruiters who think it is important not to have consistency of instruction. Therefore, purely from the 'paper-trawl' point of view, it would appear marginally advantageous to have consistency of instruction.

[goodwxpilot]

This is the main problem some airlines have with modular folk....

No paper trail...Quite frankly, I can understand. You may have really struggled in all your training but managed to fluke a couple of first time passes...you would never know.

To fully assess the risk you really need detailed records throughout and most modular students don't have that.

Regarding good FTO's for the IR, I have heard good reports from Stapleford and Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training. I also heard bcft is fairly good for the CPL as well

good luck

[VFE]

CP took a dim view and wasn't overly happy with his answer that he was trying to save some cash
So the modular route is a new phenomenon to this particluar CP then?

What utter tripe.

"What is the point of consistant instruction if it is bad instruction?" ;.....Ron Campbell, the best flying instructor ever.


To fully assess the risk you really need detailed records throughout and most modular students don't have that.

Any FTO you train with MUST keep your training records for 'x' number of years (think it's two). That's the law. So it's not impossible for modular graduates to obtain their own training records incase a potential employer wishes to see them is it?

VFE.

[silverknapper]

I trained at different schools for IR and CPL. Reason being that I went to the place with the best reputation for each module. My CPL instructor was excellent but the school doesn't do IR's. My IR school were excellent but the reputation for the CPL isn't so hot. This is the beauty of the modular route - you can be selective. In my interview I gave these reasons and they were more than happy with this.
Also both schools more than happy to supply training records.

SK

[potkettleblack]

VFE - tripe? Sorry that the truth with this potential employer hurts. Read my post again slowly. Did I mention integrated at all? The CP wanted the modular to be conducted at the 1 reputable school. Some schools market this as a structured moduar if you want to call it that. Not here there and everywhere for bits and pieces. Be it BCFT, Oxford, PAT, Cabair or Jerez he did not care, all he wanted was a school with a history of quality instruction and no doubt past students that are flying the line that are continually proving him right. You can argue the whys and wherefors till the cows come home but the truth is that there are many other employers out there that hold these same views. Then again there are others who couldn't give a toss which part of the globe you toddled off to in order to save a few thousand quid. Point is that if you go down this path you do invariably limit your target market or will need to make up for it in other ways such as having inside contacts that will vouch for you.

[VFE]

Fair point Potkettleblack, and I will not disagree with any of what you have just posted. I know this is not a new phenomenon as many airlines have long prefered integrated grads over modular.

Given an absolute b*llocking as he had his PPL from here, multi rating there, CPL over there and IR somewhere else

I could understand this CP's view a little more had your mate trained at umpteen different integrated FTO's but you did not make that clear therefore you may not have actually said 'modular' but the inference is definately there based on the above quote because you cannot obtain a PPL from an integrated school.

There was the old BCPL and self improver route long before integrated schools popped up but I am not unhappy with this situation and quite understand employers preference for grads from these places. Your posting reads as though this particular CP was claiming anyone who trained at various schools (as per the modular path) was a potential training risk and that they could all be hiding skeletons which is rather daft IMHO. If he/she is that suspicious then they could easily get the lowdown on your mate from the schools he trained with - everyone knows someone who knows you in this game, right?!

Anyway, semantics aside, I'm not going to bemoan a situation for which I have zero control over.

Regards,

VFE.

[kerrinator]

Well, thanks guys!!!

[Megaton]

So how many of you have actually been empoyed by an airline? I've had 3 interviews, 4 job offers and never once was the fact that I moved schools an issue.

[Hufty]

I did pretty much ALL my courses at different schools - PPL, IMC, Night, CPL groundschool, CPL, IR (OK did my multi at the same time), and MCC.

I chose each one for different reasons - either price, geography or reputation and nobody seemed bothered that I did it this way (in fact I didn't really think about it until I read this thread!)

There are benefits in doing it all at one school (WWW has posted a lot on this topic) but equally you sometimes need to take control of your own development and use schools that are particularly good at one thing. Once you have that coveted first job, all this stuff goes out of the window anyway - nobody will care where you trained, how many times it took you do pass your PPL air law exam or whatever! It will be all about hours and the type of aircraft you have been flying - and if course if they like you!