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View Full Version : Decisions, decisions.....


Wannabe24
15th September 2005, 12:02
I'm at:

Just turned 24 years young, good academic background but no degree. Various IT accreditations for what it's worth! (I hear Airbus like you to be pretty computer savvy ;)) and a PPL with Night Rating - circa 100 hours. About £15k of funding available. Oh, and most importantly of all: A mortgage, a wife, and a kid! :eek: :eek: (I know, I know). Although, we could easily rent half the house out and wife could pay half a mortgage for a year.

I'm stuck with a choice:

Option 1: Take a fully integrated APP course at Oxford, resulting in a fATPL.

Pros: Their APP Program is very well respected among airlines and chances are I will find employment quickly. Any more?

Cons: No type rating at the end of the course (although the employing airline might include this, it would result in less pay and a bond). The price of the APP course will probably not be reduced to the point where I receive a full discount of £5k for my PPL. Thus would've wasted a couple of grand. HSBC loan would be £50k, after 5 years the interest would've pushed this up considerably. Can I really afford to pay back this loan over the next 10 years? Who will pay the mortgage? Am I asking for a divorce???

Option 2: Do a "Modular" (full time in my case, can commute to Oxford from London) course at Oxford, would cost £20k. Have £15k already. Then spend £20k on a type rating by taking out a HSBC loan (available through OATS). Loan is deferred until employment (I think)

Pros: Significant reduction in the amount borrowed (over half) resulting in a much more peaceful life. Will have a type rating, meaning more employment opportunities than most low hours modular pilots (I hope). Better pay with first airline, as would officially be a DEP pilot. No bonds. Better pay means paying off the HSBC loan quicker (it's already half of what it could've been if I went integrated) and no bonds, meaning better flexibility.

Cons: Modular students are at a disadvantage thanks to backwards minded, rich, up their arse posh types.

You decide! LOL, no of course, in my situation the modular route+type rating is better. But will I be on an level playing field with the integrated guys or will they still be at an advantage? and if so, why? More to add: I've never seen anybody compare the two routes in the way I have outlined above. Am I missing something??? Thanks all and good luck.

wbryce
15th September 2005, 12:16
Pros: Significant reduction in the amount borrowed (over half) resulting in a much more peaceful life.

If it was me...I would make my decision based on the above statement.

Oxford may have a great marketing strategy and you may get a job within a month or so from completing your training or you may not, Oxford push out alot of students and not all of them walk away with job. Inevitably you will get a job though, having Oxford on your CV will speak for itself but does this justify spending an extra £30,000 to £45,000? The APP course will be demanding so you will be away from home for the majority of the course.

You have a wife and kid; so I would take the option which offers best financial security.

Doing the training modular you can take it at your own pace plus you can take time off when ever. So should your wife begin to struggle, then you can easily give a helping hand.

You will get a job eventually whether you go integrated or modular. You may get a job quicker by doing the training modular....or you may not. No one knows.

Remember Oxford market their products very well. Make your decisions on your own circumstances, not by marketing malarky ;)

BongleBear
15th September 2005, 12:41
youve also got to think about life after gaining an atpl. theres alot of competition for jobs and ive found that theres not alot of companies who will employ a commercial pilot. ive had to rely on temping jobs, which can be poorly paird and extremely disheartening after slogging it out through a course as demanding as the one we're talking about.

good luck with it though,
b bear

stue
15th September 2005, 19:05
Wannabe24,

Just want to say thanks. Im in pretty much the same position, although im 21 and without the wife and kid. (the girlfriend seems to think otherwise though!)

Im tourn between the two courses but its good to hear all the pros and cons set out like that. made me think alot.

Cheers!

Gud luck with whatever you decide on!

Stue:ok: