PPL
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PPL
First of all sorry if I put this on the wrong forum I couldn't choose which it best fitted so yeah sorry..
Anyway..my grandparents have said they would like to fund me to do my PPL at a flight school in Chester which I have visited and met the instructors and am I now about to do a class 1 medical just to make sure my overall dream of becoming a pilot is actually achievable medically, however I have been told that at some flight schools they knock off around £2000 if you have already done your ppl before starting your ATPL training however to do a PPL it costs at Chester anyway £6450 so is it worth it? If I ever get a frozen ATPL and I am in an interview with an airline with they look favourably at a 17 year old who's gone out and got there PPL or are they not gonna really give a damn? It's playing on my mind a lot because most of what I do I geared towards airline interviews (DofE etc..)
Anyway..my grandparents have said they would like to fund me to do my PPL at a flight school in Chester which I have visited and met the instructors and am I now about to do a class 1 medical just to make sure my overall dream of becoming a pilot is actually achievable medically, however I have been told that at some flight schools they knock off around £2000 if you have already done your ppl before starting your ATPL training however to do a PPL it costs at Chester anyway £6450 so is it worth it? If I ever get a frozen ATPL and I am in an interview with an airline with they look favourably at a 17 year old who's gone out and got there PPL or are they not gonna really give a damn? It's playing on my mind a lot because most of what I do I geared towards airline interviews (DofE etc..)
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Yes I think they would. Qualification wise, it wouldn't really matter, but the fact you've got off your ass and done something to prove that this is what you want, will mean something. Actions speak louder than words and anyone can bs their way through an interview (well not everyone..). I say do it.
I think that anybody should do their PPL first, before committing to commercial training.
It will tell you if you have the aptitude and motivation to be a pilot - no amount of interviews and "aptitude tests" will tell you that as well as a PPL course with a good school and instructor.
If you turn out not to have the aptitude, or not to enjoy it - then £6450 was a very cheap lesson compared to the cost of doing your fATPL, in terms of both time and money. If you turn out to be good at it, and love it - then the cost is still trivial compared to what you'll have to spend later, plus you'll hit the commercial courses from a much better starting point. You'll also have a much better grasp of the PPL process if you become a flying instructor - as a great many do on their way to more lucrative flying jobs.
G
It will tell you if you have the aptitude and motivation to be a pilot - no amount of interviews and "aptitude tests" will tell you that as well as a PPL course with a good school and instructor.
If you turn out not to have the aptitude, or not to enjoy it - then £6450 was a very cheap lesson compared to the cost of doing your fATPL, in terms of both time and money. If you turn out to be good at it, and love it - then the cost is still trivial compared to what you'll have to spend later, plus you'll hit the commercial courses from a much better starting point. You'll also have a much better grasp of the PPL process if you become a flying instructor - as a great many do on their way to more lucrative flying jobs.
G
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Well you are on the right track not doing an integrated and first doing the PPL. The cost you quoted is good but take into account that airport fees, books, headset, general ground school equipment, etc. will likely not be included in the cost.
You will definitely stand out compared to other candidates as it shows you are determined and motivated.
And in the case that you do your PPL and decide not to make it a profession but just a hobby, it will look nice on your CV applying to other (non aviation) jobs. Because, well, it stands out. If you are not determined, dedicated and motivated, getting a PPL is near to impossible.
I was in University and after the first year I decided to drop out to basically do what you're doing. I had the exact same mentality. I wanted to go to the airlines. I was 18. No one was able to fund me the PPL so I worked and worked and saved every penny for my PPL. Doing my PPL was one of the best experiences I've had. I loved every aspect of it. For the first time in my life, studying was actually fun haha.
Nearer to the end of my course it got me thinking if I actually want to make this a job. Making it a job would take the fun and pleasure of flying away and the way I felt about flying would completely change. I decided to go back to University and get a degree and just keep this as a hobby.
Obviously you may come out with a completely different mentality. Thought I would share my story because you remind me of my 17 year old self!
You will definitely stand out compared to other candidates as it shows you are determined and motivated.
And in the case that you do your PPL and decide not to make it a profession but just a hobby, it will look nice on your CV applying to other (non aviation) jobs. Because, well, it stands out. If you are not determined, dedicated and motivated, getting a PPL is near to impossible.
I was in University and after the first year I decided to drop out to basically do what you're doing. I had the exact same mentality. I wanted to go to the airlines. I was 18. No one was able to fund me the PPL so I worked and worked and saved every penny for my PPL. Doing my PPL was one of the best experiences I've had. I loved every aspect of it. For the first time in my life, studying was actually fun haha.
Nearer to the end of my course it got me thinking if I actually want to make this a job. Making it a job would take the fun and pleasure of flying away and the way I felt about flying would completely change. I decided to go back to University and get a degree and just keep this as a hobby.
Obviously you may come out with a completely different mentality. Thought I would share my story because you remind me of my 17 year old self!
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A fantastic idea. No employer sits and has a chat with you about things like DofE awards that you do in secondary school, they want to know they are hiring someone who will fit in, has the right skills and experience, the right motivation, is worth investing in and has the wherewithal to be dependable. To say you set off and learned to fly from a young age and the passion is still burning years later will be a huge advantage, it shows this is all you want to do.
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Hi, Im also considering getting a ppl before applying to major flight schools, does anyone know of the cheapest places or cheapest way to get the licence? e.g hourly blocks or a lump sum.
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Ben, i found that when i looked around the schools near me (northwest england) it tended to be cheaper to do it as a lump sum because they took off money around £1000 in most cases when you paid alll together i dont know if it will be the same near you but thats just what i found
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Just get your PPL and enjoy the experience. If you will be totally convinced of the idea of having a career in aviation afterwards, continue your training the modular way. You won't be less capable than an integrated bloke and as far as I know you could still take place in an airline mentored program with a PPL and some experience.
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Oh yes, may I add..even though the quote given to you for the PPL course is nice, I also forgot to mention..DO NOT PAY IT ALL AT ONCE. Try and get it to be paid in monthly installments. Why? Because just like airlines, flight schools come and go. They could suddenly shut down and you would likely have to start over somewhere else.
I could have paid for my entire course upfront but I split it into monthly installments in the contract. Some of my friends were doing integrated and they paid THIRTY FIVE GRAND upfront!!
I could have paid for my entire course upfront but I split it into monthly installments in the contract. Some of my friends were doing integrated and they paid THIRTY FIVE GRAND upfront!!
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Hi,
Long time member/lurker here.
I just wanted to point out the figures quoted will be higher in reality.
By the time I had 3 hours logged I had spent over £1200.. its soon adds up....
Take that 6450£ and divide by 45 (min hours required) will bring you to £143. £143 per hour is about average for instruction.
Dont forget to add -
Medical
Landing fees
Books
Headset
Getting to and from your lesson
Charts, wheel, board, rules, stopwatch, pens etc
List goes on.
Factor £10k for the PPL, any less will be a bonus.
Go for it and enjoy
Long time member/lurker here.
I just wanted to point out the figures quoted will be higher in reality.
By the time I had 3 hours logged I had spent over £1200.. its soon adds up....
Take that 6450£ and divide by 45 (min hours required) will bring you to £143. £143 per hour is about average for instruction.
Dont forget to add -
Medical
Landing fees
Books
Headset
Getting to and from your lesson
Charts, wheel, board, rules, stopwatch, pens etc
List goes on.
Factor £10k for the PPL, any less will be a bonus.
Go for it and enjoy
I'll add to the voices - do not pay large sums up front - large well regarded schools have gone bust - many of them. Don't be impressed by brands, longevity or literature. Just don't. I was working in another job at Cranfield when Cabair went bust and saw the damage done to so many young people with huge debts, most of which they didn't see back in either flying hours or cash.
Buy your books, headset, and planning tools on eBay. The only book you probably want to buy new is air law (and your charts of course). Don't buy a flash flight bag - something off the local market for a tenner - or frankly a 75p Sainsbury's heavy duty carrier bag is fine.
Do your PPL in the UK - dedicating time to it, with at-least two lessons a week, as that's where you'll be going your CPL course most likely and you'll need that skill. Do your hour building abroad, most likely the USA where you can rent far cheaper - if possible do your night there too. Always turn up to lessons prepared, know your way around the aeroplane and its manuals backwards and early.
Do your ATPL groundschool distance learning - there are several providers, all good.
Whilst hourbuilding work hard on flying as well and accurately as possible, over long trips, building experience. Do everything the old fashioned way - have a GPS by all means for backup and to monitor how well you flew, but do not make a habit of using it during hourbuilding.
When you do your CPL, do it with a good UK school (again, there are several to choose from), in the summer when the weather will be best - so least lesson postponements, one lesson a day, with the time blocked off so there are no distractions. Always have those lessons early in the day if you can. Have NOTHING else in your diary for that whole time.
Ditto then your ME/IR. When doing that, have access to a procedural simulator - a PC with add-ons and something like RANT will do well enough, and practice-practice-practice.
And, of course, I SAY AGAIN, DO NOT PAY LARGE SUMS UP FRONT.
G
Hi, Im also considering getting a ppl before applying to major flight schools, does anyone know of the cheapest places or cheapest way to get the licence? e.g hourly blocks or a lump sum.
Do your PPL in the UK - dedicating time to it, with at-least two lessons a week, as that's where you'll be going your CPL course most likely and you'll need that skill. Do your hour building abroad, most likely the USA where you can rent far cheaper - if possible do your night there too. Always turn up to lessons prepared, know your way around the aeroplane and its manuals backwards and early.
Do your ATPL groundschool distance learning - there are several providers, all good.
Whilst hourbuilding work hard on flying as well and accurately as possible, over long trips, building experience. Do everything the old fashioned way - have a GPS by all means for backup and to monitor how well you flew, but do not make a habit of using it during hourbuilding.
When you do your CPL, do it with a good UK school (again, there are several to choose from), in the summer when the weather will be best - so least lesson postponements, one lesson a day, with the time blocked off so there are no distractions. Always have those lessons early in the day if you can. Have NOTHING else in your diary for that whole time.
Ditto then your ME/IR. When doing that, have access to a procedural simulator - a PC with add-ons and something like RANT will do well enough, and practice-practice-practice.
And, of course, I SAY AGAIN, DO NOT PAY LARGE SUMS UP FRONT.
G
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Cabair and Trent Air Services at Cranfield before them - sizeable fleets and operating for many years (Cabair for more than 30) - size and longevity provide no guarantee of protection.
If you are intending to go down the modular route, a PPL is a necessary and hopefully enjoyable part of the process. If an integrated path is your plan, a PPL is largely a waste of time. Certainly a few lessons to give you a taste would be a good idea but habits and lack of standardisation can present obstacles during integrated CPL training that could be avoided. If you are seeking a place on a selected or tagged training programme (e.g. BA FPP) a PPL might be barrier to selection.
As far as integrated schools are concerned, the sad truth is that some provide a connection to potential employers that you would otherwise have to generate yourself - you could be an exceptionally talented and good all round modular graduate who struggles to make an introduction whereby a weak integrated student who just manages to hang on through the course gets lucky when the local airline recruiter is passing through the school.
I agree with others here from the point of view that a PPL does show interest and is a fun thing to do but hopefully now you have your Class 1, do some more research and determine a path to focus on. At 17, you have your whole career ahead of you but the decisions you make now will determine the course it takes.
If you are intending to go down the modular route, a PPL is a necessary and hopefully enjoyable part of the process. If an integrated path is your plan, a PPL is largely a waste of time. Certainly a few lessons to give you a taste would be a good idea but habits and lack of standardisation can present obstacles during integrated CPL training that could be avoided. If you are seeking a place on a selected or tagged training programme (e.g. BA FPP) a PPL might be barrier to selection.
As far as integrated schools are concerned, the sad truth is that some provide a connection to potential employers that you would otherwise have to generate yourself - you could be an exceptionally talented and good all round modular graduate who struggles to make an introduction whereby a weak integrated student who just manages to hang on through the course gets lucky when the local airline recruiter is passing through the school.
I agree with others here from the point of view that a PPL does show interest and is a fun thing to do but hopefully now you have your Class 1, do some more research and determine a path to focus on. At 17, you have your whole career ahead of you but the decisions you make now will determine the course it takes.
