Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies)A forum for those on the steep path to that coveted professional licence. Whether studying for the written exams, training for the flight tests or building experience here's where you can hang out.
Guys, would like to have your thoughts on this... am graduating soon from a University degree and turning 25... is it at all worth it to go down for the ATPL/CPL/IR etc? I am not after airline flying only, "any" flying will do really
Why don't you do a PPL first and see what you think if you don't want to fly commercially? Or if you feel you could make a career out of it, get the best part of £100k together and get on an integrated course!
Well as you may know the industry isn't in the best state at the moment and I am sure many will tell you to stay away. However, if you have the time and the money to do the commercial training and it is what you want to do then do some research and see what you find. That has to be the first step, call some companies up such as OAA, CTC, FTE etc. and search the web (not just PPRuNe) to find out if it's the right step for you. Also if you want to do "anything" have a look at what is available such as bush flying jobs etc. the main point is to research!
I wouldn't bother doing that. They will all tell you that now is the perfect time to train and you should hand your money straight to them today to get a job on an A320 or B737 tomorrow.
You probably should have a good think about what kind of flying you want to do and then ask for advice from pilots that already do it, and that's where you may find PPRuNe to be most useful.
I am not after airline flying only, "any" flying will do really
"Any" flying as in what? Para dropping, glider towing, bizjet? Do you intend to make it your full time career and make a living out of it or is flying something you intend doing for fun at weekends?
And BTW The500man has offered some very sound advice - the last place to go for independant information on the state of the industry is any of the Flying Training Organisations.
With any flying I mean that, I am aware that the industry is not at its best at the moment, and so I definitely do not expect to walk straight into an airline job the day after I qualify. I would love to make it a career, but I accept that it must be step by step
Yes the FTOs obviously want to stay in business. I have been researching and looking around since I was 17 probably, and was always postponing going in for the ATPL all this time, so much so I got a degree since then! But time is passing by quite quickly... and I do believe that above a certain age... you would have missed your chance
With any flying I mean that, I am aware that the industry is not at its best at the moment, and so I definitely do not expect to walk straight into an airline job the day after I qualify. I would love to make it a career, but I accept that it must be step by step
Yes the FTOs obviously want to stay in business. I have been researching and looking around since I was 17 probably, and was always postponing going in for the ATPL all this time, so much so I got a degree since then! But time is passing by quite quickly... and I do believe that above a certain age... you would have missed your chance"
You seem to have done a lot of research already, you have a PPLand a degree and you seem pretty clued up on the state of the industry, so really what else is it you want to know? Is it just reassurance you want from others?
If I asked for reassurance, I would prefer to ask my mum for that rather than a random ppruner
Sarcasm apart, I ask because I do not know a single person who got his ATPL/CPL/IR etc, and has not found a job - some as instructors, some with Ryanair, etc.
So the question remains, why is it that many, as evidenced from some comments above, are so negative, but still people out there are still finding jobs...
I understand your position, and the eagerness to fly professionally. Believe me, I do. But please do not let that interfere with good judgement. I know a lot of people who don't find any job once they have finished training. Those that do, fly for companies that suck the joy out of their flying carreer.
Maybe you will find a job, but what price are you willing to pay? Is flying that much fun that you are willing to give up on things like job security and a stable social life? Living in a country that you actually like? I was lucky, because I began flying for a major airline some 12 years ago, but as Dylan sang 'Times they are a changing'... Chances are I won't retire flying for this airline.
I write this reply from a compound in Saudi Arabia, not because I live here, but just on lay-over. If I were religious, I would thank god on bare knees that I don't have to live and work in this part of the world, that thrives on modern slavery and oppression of other cultures, women etc. But if you would finish your training now, you would not have the luxury to refuse working in such countries. In fact, you would be glad that you got the chance. But then what? Do you really think that after a few years and a few 1000 hours, you'll be able to return to a major airline? If you would be so lucky, you would have to join back at the end of the line, way down on the seniority list.
If I ask myself the question 'Is it worth it?' knowing what I know now, given the current situation in aviation, a strong 'hell NO!' would be my answer. Hate to rain on your parade, I really do, but be smart. And if you like flying, go get a job that pays well, get your PPL, and have fun! The reason why sarcasm rules on PPRuNe is that a lot of people started flying because it was fun, only to realize that there is a dark side to this profession as well...
Yes! Interesting conversation, as we are going back to the original topic...
If you do not participate in the lottery you will never have a chance to win it..., but is it worth it to participate? It's a huge amount of money, and for a person just starting out life... it's quite a thing, unless your parents are paying it all for you (not in my case)
There can be a lot of negativity on PPRuNe but there is also an awful lot of useful knowledge on here. Sometimes I get a bit disaffected reading the forums but then you come across a gem of a piece of advice which is well balanced and paints both sides of the picture well. With the number of CPLs issued by the CAA each year I'm sure that not all of them will have found employment. Hopefully those who continue to pursue a flying career will do at some point. Heck, I may end up on the unemployed pilot list at some point but I am going to try hard not to be on it too long.
Is it worth it? I can't really answer that for you. It is a personal decision and something that you will have to answer for yourself. Weigh up the pros and cons, draw up a list of each. Flying, for me, has involved sacrifices. I see friends going on holiday to nice places or buying nice houses but for me it is all about the flying, which I very much enjoy, so it doesn't really bother me.
I can tell you this though, I don't envisage flying as a glamorous career as some people who wear those rose tinted spectacles do. It's damned hard work and I haven't even finished the instrument rating yet. I believe the hardest part is still to come …. finding a job and keeping it!
If you haven't already done so then go get your Class 1 medical at Gatwick. It's a game changer if they wont give you one.
Don't go into flying for a career or the money. It is too uncertain, there are too many out there earning very little considering the up-front costs. the lifestyle is too difficult, puts too much strain on your outside relationships. Learn to program instead and go into management in a specialised tech field in which you will be a £500-a-day consultant in 3 or 4 years.
Go into aviation because you love flying, because you really can't stomach going into an office 9 'til 5 every weekday until you draw a pension. Go into flying because you love uncertainty, the chance that takes you to a new city or the flight deck of a new jet. Go into flying because you want to know that in a years time you might be living somewhere new, doing a totally different type of job. Go into flying because you want to be wandering round a new city in a country you hadn't even visited until last week, having arrived in an aircraft type you hadn't flown until this year, where you speak none of the language beyond asking for a beer, looking for a restaurant and some of that fine local brew; that was me last night.
So yes, take a few lessons before you decide. If you love it then start to take it further. Do all the courses in your own time, by your own choice, where you want to do them. Fly as far as you can, as widely in as varied conditions, places and machines as you can. Then when you finally can get paid to fly look into every type of aviation. Try a few of them if you get the opportunity.
You will live in penury for a few years, having the greatest fun with some of the best people around. You will kick the arse out of life, burning the candle at both ends. You can even stay there, in the dirty, fun end of the business for life if you can take the poor pay and the conditions. Some do.
So no, never, ever, ever do an integrated course; they lead only to large airlines who want automata for the right seat. If you want to operate a computer with a nice view from the office, go into the oil business and move to Calgary.
That is my view of the aviation business. There are many other views. Some love the airlines, but I know more who complain about them and are there for the pay check. Some loathe the dirty and uncertain reality of general aviation, but others would not even look elsewhere.
I do not know a single person who got his ATPL/CPL/IR etc, and has not found a job
I do not know a single person, having a stake in FTO, that would not agree with you, despite me pointing out that jobs outside cockpit (or aviation) don't count towards "getting a job with ATPL" quota.
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Where exactly are those green shoots of recovery
In the exaltation of various training organizations and have been there at least since I've started paying some serious attention to aviation, some two decades ago.
I keep giving the same advice (p'raps it's crap!):
Enjoy flying as regularly as you can, on the way to the (I think) 1500 you'll need to be viable. By then, you a) won't be in debt, b) might be looking at a very good outlook in the market- or not, of course. How hard and expensive can CPL/ATPL be when you have all the hours you need already in the log book?
Take the borrowing risk only if the market suggests it. You can have a load of fun on the way.
Have you considered the military? If you can get in, you get a decent training and you get paid from day one. I know a lot of guys who stayed in for about a decade and afterwards got a decent flying job in civilian aviation. Some years in military flying also looks good on the C.V.
I have been researching and looking around since I was 17 probably, and was always postponing going in for the ATPL all this time, so much so I got a degree since then!
It brings us back in 2005... Which was not such a bad time to get a CPL I believe.
Try Ultra lights and become an ultra light instructor, that's the best flying for so little investment. Since you have a degree, keep your job during the week, and enjoy your weekends doing some real flying.
You'll hear a load of moaning and groaning about "crap" pay is on here.
The lady who cleans my house speaks 6 languages and charges €33 for 6 hours work.
Put's it into perspective for all you greedy moaners out there who say their job is boring doing the same thing. Beats scrubbing my dirty floors all day.
Looking in the terms and endearments board I'd be delirious with the money some pilots earn.
But still, I wouldn't go into any career for the money.
would be my answer. Hate to rain on your parade, I really do, but be smart. And if you like flying, go get a job that pays well, get your PPL, and have fun! 
The reason why sarcasm rules on PPRuNe is that a lot of people started flying because it was fun, only to realize that there is a dark side to this profession as well...
