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.
most people are telling me its pointless but seems as tho, I've got my ppl, class 1, atpl training on going at BGS, 40hours p1.. i may aswell get my frozen atpl
or is it not worth it as we are in a recession and there won't be any jobs at the end of it all... HELPPP
I'd say go for it! It costs a lot of money, but as long as you can afford it, why not? You'll find a job eventually, but it won't be easy these days (for what I've read anyway). Good luck!
How can you be so casual about it? This is the biggest decision you will ever make.
So far you have your PPL, built 30 hours post PPL, and have paid £200 for a class one. All in all, that's no more than £10k.
You're now thinking about spending a further £50k or so on the "frozen ATPL" when very few people are hiring low hours people right now. You've got to be pretty sure it's what you want to do. I took the decision, but not lightly, and never once thought "I may aswell".
Once you start training, and it's clear there will be no job, it's very easy to then throw good money after bad to chase the dream, I have seen a lot of people lose out this way.
If it's your only passion, and you are absolutely sure, then go for it. But don't just think "I may aswell!"
Remeber you only have 3 years from the end of the groundschool to complete the CPL and IR or the exams will expire, at current prices (which are only every going up) that's at least £40k
This is a very common misconception. Many fATPls never find a paid flying job, eventually they run out of either money or patience and cut their losses.
If you can afford to write the money off and you have a solid back up plan then by all means you "may aswell' have a spin.
Only do it if it really is your dream. There were guys in my flight school that were 35-39. Friend of mine has a friend that quit his job that paid him 160K a year and is 42 to start training. Was it foolish? Probably. But he really wanted to TRY and fulfill what he's dreamt of, and I don't think that's stupid
The job status for newbies is extremely tough. You need a lot of luck, and / or connection. It takes patience, and unless you really want to become a Pilot, don't bother with it.
On an international scale, Greece subscribed to exactly the same phliosophy.
Within our own shore, so did ( Not Sir anymore ) Fred Godwin.
A sober examination of the costs involved versus likelihood of a return is required for flying to be more than just a hobby job.
Spending much of the "one life" paying off a huge debt that did not lead to anything does not sound like much fun to me. Our boy already has a PPL so he has already had the achievement of learning to fly behind him.
Too many employers are taking advantage of this glib attitude.
You will need more than an FATPL to get a job, you'll need quite a lot of money and the ability to get out there and actually seek out the jobs. you can sit at home and apply online all you like but it will get you nowhere.
I'm working and I love it but it's been a seriously hard slog and it's not like my job is 100% secure.
Sure it's a dream but there are other great careers out there you can get into that cost you a lot less than the 80k you haven't spent yet (TR included) you've spent at the moment 7k at the most plus flying hours.
Why not get your exams and wait a year before doing your CPL and see if you really still want to do it??
But when it comes to living my life facts and figures mean nothing. I don't care if it takes me 10 years to get a job, I have a good back up which will allow me to not only keep current but fly regularly for leisure if things don't work out.
When I'm 80 years old I'll always regret not going through with the career I decided when I was little. And I suggest this guy doesn't give up on his dream either. Just make sure it is a real dream you have, and not something you want to because you saw a plane out the window one morning.
Should i Chase my dream and carry on my training most people are telling me its pointless but seems as tho, I've got my ppl, class 1, atpl training on going at BGS, 40hours p1.. i may aswell get my frozen atpl
or is it not worth it as we are in a recession and there won't be any jobs at the end of it all... HELPPP
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i'm in the same boat - i'm 38 and have the opportunity to start my CPL etc now that I have my PPL and some hours.
being stuck in an office all day gives you a lot of time to reflect on what you really want from life and whether you fully understand what you're getting into. you wouldn't give it a quick thought.
work hard to get your qualification, work hard to get yourself a job afterwards, work hard in your new job, when you retire you'll be satisfied with your professional career.
Bush pilot in Indonesia or Africa would maybe imply some outdoor activities, but the airline pilot is stuck in a very small place for hours, if you don't like to be stucked you'll miss your office pretty soon.
KAG it's just as much who i work with and the industry i'm in. it's god awful. much better to be sat in the cockpit flying an aircraft that flying a desk being shouted at.
CPL - I am only 25 years old and you'd be thinking what do I know? Well, I've had a few jobs and tried different career's but like most of us on here, we realised that we wanted to become pilot's. In my view, there is no better job out there for me. Sure, every job has it's downsides and I'm sure aviation is no exception. For example; trying to break in to it and getting your first job is a major downside considering hundereds of thousands spent and no guarnatee of a job.
My advice to you is to seriously go away and have a think is this really want to do with your life?? If that answer is no, well you have saved money overall. If the answer is yes, then for goodness sake, go for it and do your absoulute hardest to get an airline job or at least a flying job. From my experience and pilot's I have talked to, being on an integrated course at an FTO is your best option. Just continue with it and pass your flight test's etc, get your MCC and JOC and apply, apply, apply!!
Torque Tonight - This is what worries me the most. But you must not give up. Unfortunately, luck does seem to play a rather big part in getting an airline job as well as 'who you know.'
For example, a mate of mine just landed a job at A.W.E and he got in not because of his qualifications, but because of who he knew.
