Which school for integrated ATPL?

[Tobyfountain]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to do an integrated ATPL course after I've completed my A-Levels in one year. The four schools I am looking at are the ones recommended by the CAA.

They are:

Oxford Aviation Academy
FTE Jerez
Cabair
Western Australia AviationWhat's everyones views of these colleges and thier reputation? Which do you think I should go for? Also, will A-Levels be sufficient academic qualifications for employment after or do I need a degree?

Thanks

[Flying Squid]

Toby....

I'm not looking to turn this into yet another Int vs Mod debate but given that you're a year from finishing youre A Levels I would wait a while longer to see whether the economy would suggest it's a good idea to go down the most unflexible and expensive route possible or whether it may be worth looking at working as much as possible whilst training to reduce debt etc.

If you still decide to go Integrated then best of luck and make sure you visit each of the FTO's individually and talk to the students both past and present. Above all remember that you're the customer so don't be rushed into any big decisions. This is probably the second biggest sum of money you will ever sign your name to spending after a mortgage.

Best of luck.

FS :ok:

[CABUS]

I would agree with the above, obviously go to the school you feel most comfortable in and feel you could really achieve at but I wouldnt really listen to employment stats too much as at the moment as they dont really mean too much. I would also look at the possibility of going to a good mod school and putting some monies aside for the unfortunate but likely possibilty that you will be asked to pay for a TR in companies such as Ryanair when things pick up, instead of spending loads on Int training then paying out for a TR, this would just be a waste of money! However, I would agree that the main schools you have picked out seem to be rather good and as I have said before I would just go to the school you feel most comfortable at. Also have you thought about CTC? I work with some guys who have passed through there and they all seemed to enjoy their training and this seems to be one school that is still putting cadets onto jets in the current climate. I have a new guy on the 320 jump seat on Monday who has just finished his training so they are still placing to big UK airlines.

Best of luck in which ever route you choose, Cabus:ok:

[peter.124]

Having recently paid for my son to complete the APPFO integerated course at OAA I would suggest that you look long and hard at the schools that you are already planning to look at plus include a few others like CTC. Also ask questions about ratios of students to intructors & equipment, pass rates, accomodation and safety track records.
My son's experience at OAA was OK but as someone paying for it I didn,t think the overall experience over the 15 months or so representd excellent value for money. Groundschool was hard work but very good, flying in Arizona was not so good with some instructors appearing to have lost their enthusiasm for their job and their students and 20 weeks in over 100F temperatures rising to 130F in July/Aug was very uncomfortable at times and caused many frustrating problems with the aircraft. IR training back in the UK was good but a shortage of equipment and instructors meant many frustrating delays sitting around in expensive accomodation. Finally MCC/JOC training was very good on the 737 sims. Whilst my son would probably do it again I would recommend the modular route with groundschool and final sim training at OAA with the ME CPL and IR completed elsewhere thus saving money and probably getting a better deal and having a better time. Whatever you do and whoever you choose, good luck.

[Peers Carter]

things are looking a bit sticky for this mob at present,there are plenty of rumors about various issues at the Groups Head Office base at Elstree.

[GBB]

Toby,

Dont get me wrong, but...
How about you first get ANY full time job fot at least a year or two so you would be able to appreciate at leats a little bit of that +80k your parents are going to splash on your training?
Its seems like all that money means not much to you taking into account the current aviation industry climate and overall global economy crisis.