Hey Guys and Gals!

Soon starting an ICAO to JAA ATPL( A) converstion and looking into perhaps doing my IR converstion training in Finland. I understand there are 2 main flight schools in Finland. Looking for views from anyone that has gone through their programs both good and bad and if they even take any international students. There are a few old posts on this subject so, looking for some updated info.
Why Finland? Girlfriend studying there- women!:bored:

Thanks for any help everybody! :)

Expensive. You'd pay between 1.5 and 2x more than if you did the conversion in the UK.

Exactly, flight training is very expensive in Finland compared to other JAA states. I would look elsewhere if I were you.

It indeed is ridiculously expensive here. I was also looking into this option as I had FAA MEP-IR, but there are really only two schools offering modular training and Seneca hire comes out like 1450€ with tax per hour. :eek:

I would look into Sweden and Spain, several schools there where you can do the conversion for reasonable price.

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

Both these schools don't seem to have a shortage of students which is rather surprising. Can anyone shed any light on why the cost of training in Finland is so outrageous compared to much of the rest or europe?

Because some people are willing to pay so much...

I suppose that is because many of the full-time students have not done their research prior to starting the training. I mean, they have not looked at the other options available. There is also the appeal of training locally, although even with the extra living expenses, training abroad still works out to be far cheaper.

One of the main schools in Finland advertises fairly often in the general media (radio etc) and therefore aims to attract people who have no background in aviation, PPL etc and who have not studied the pilot training system. They sell the glamour (?) of being a pilot to the general public.

Now, that's just how I have seen things of course...

Finland is also an expensive country generally, though there is still a huge gap between flying club rental prices and the commercial school's dual rates.