Living Costs while training

[Engine Ear]

Hi folks,

I wonder if anyone and everyone can share their experiences of providing for themselves, and their families where applicable, while training.

I have a young family and I am considering taking the plunge once I finish my degree (I'm a mature student). However, I have no savings of any kind so is there anyone that was in a similar position? How did you go about sustaining things? Is there time to take up part time work? Can you get professional development loans for this?

Cheers!

[Martin_123]

I got my PPL, hour-building and ATPL's (nearly) done whilst working full time, the only tricky bit is CPL/ME/IR which is still ahead of me - I haven't decided weather to drag it out and do it over weekends in a school that's some 200km away or just take a longer - unpaid leave for 2-3 months and get it done in one go.. anyway, no loans here, just hard-core saving, no luxuries.. I'm taking every overtime work I could possibly get my hands on just to get those yoyos rollin

[B2N2]

I have a young family

and

However, I have no savings of any kind

doesn't ring like a good combination...

Can you get professional development loans for this

A loan on top of a loan just makes it worse.
Have you considered full time work and part time training?
It will be harsh and you need a supportive family but it's a better alternative.

[HeartyMeatballs]

Try using your degree once you graduate. You'll earn a wage whilst building up experience in your field.

Then start training part time.

If it all goes horribly wrong or you realise (however long it takes) it's either not for you or you're not going to get a flying job then you have something to fall back on.

If you leave, go into training, then it all goes wrong, you've got a lot of debt, nothing to show for it and just a degree you did years ago with no relevant work experience.

Good luck whatever you choose. Keep your options open, don't burn any bridges and take the least risk option where you can.

[Engine Ear]

Hi folks,

Thanks a lot for all of your advice. It all seems very sound, and you are all making a fairly convincing argument. Can I just ask, on average, how long has it taken those of you who have gone through, or are going through, this modular route to complete the training? Or how long do you expect it to take?

Thanks again.

[Piltdown Man]

EE - The above is good advice. If you are not careful you will end up with a very poor and starving young ex-family. Order of events. Finish degree, pay for family, secure their future, save up and then reconsider if you still want to go flying.

[Engine Ear]

Thanks, keeflyer.

And thank you to everyone for the great advice. I'm now going up to a (relatively) local open day at a flight school to get more info on the modular route. For those of you still on course to qualify, all the best of luck!