From zero to CPL and FI: Cost in UK (Merged)
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I know it sounds like a stuck record - but i would think long and hard. I really don't think you will have any luck in the UK getting a job. It's just the reality.
If you are set on it though you should think about going to the US - you will save a lot of cash and having FAA as well as EASA is really handy. It's a pain having to go through converting to an FAA ATP at a later date - I know as I had to do it this year :/
IThere are many schools but If you want to PM me I can put you in touch with where I did my ATP conversion - very impressed and the cheapest price I found in the states - it's in a Robbo 22 - interesting after not being in one for a few years....!
If you are set on it though you should think about going to the US - you will save a lot of cash and having FAA as well as EASA is really handy. It's a pain having to go through converting to an FAA ATP at a later date - I know as I had to do it this year :/
IThere are many schools but If you want to PM me I can put you in touch with where I did my ATP conversion - very impressed and the cheapest price I found in the states - it's in a Robbo 22 - interesting after not being in one for a few years....!
Join Date: Oct 2016
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Cheers guys, some really helpful, up to date advice!
I read someone's comment on here the other day (can't remember the thread, but it was an old post) that said he vowed never to pay for further training, type ratings etc. I'm assuming this was after PPL and CPL, but is this only possible via a scholarship, or a very understanding employer?!
I read someone's comment on here the other day (can't remember the thread, but it was an old post) that said he vowed never to pay for further training, type ratings etc. I'm assuming this was after PPL and CPL, but is this only possible via a scholarship, or a very understanding employer?!
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Dude, you really gotta listen to the boys that already posted. Yes there are opportunities in this industry. But not in UK right now. You need to Open your eyes to fact if you want offshore right now ain't gonna happen. Company I work for as expat Brit in Canada have French, Swiss, German, UK pilots touring 3/3 but the kicker is... Do you have right to live and work in Canada...they do it ain't easy but doable. Guys get 1000/2000 thou hrs they normally away to the races and do fine, some of our expats doing offshore CHC Thailand, N.sea etc. You ain't gonna get a job in the UK right out of school unless you do the FI route for quite a few years, you can throw thousands UK pounds at it... Ain't Ryan or Easyjet mate... You need experience dude to move on....outta flight school 150k in debt...no one cares let alone give you a job. Realistic sorry, but that OUR industry...
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Hi clearly reading all posts very limited chance of job in UK even after paying a lot of money (? 150K) to train. Has that changed or is the outlook still the same? Thanks
fixed wing is still booming
highly experienced rotary pilots (10000 hrs+) still struggle to get a job, it still tough out there, until the oil price increases i think it will remain tough for everyone, onshore and offshore.
Are there any openings abroad for new graduates if you are prepared to travel anywhere -problem also appears to be visas even if openings?
salaries where available are about 30% lower than 2012, this is my observation, depressing but true, it makes no sense to spend big bucks now unless its for fixed wing.
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Two years later boys and girls, still the same?
Been out today to really get to work on my PPL(H). Best part is, I'm right across from the Bristows SAR hangar. That's my motivator every time!
Been out today to really get to work on my PPL(H). Best part is, I'm right across from the Bristows SAR hangar. That's my motivator every time!
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It's probably worse than 2 years ago in the international space. There's a lot more national pilots and engineers holding positions comfortably these days that would have been filled by expats in years gone by. There are promising signs of an upturn in African offshore exploration so potential for short term work there for qualified crew (92/139)
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Shame.
One aspect of offshore/SAR work these days that people do not mention in this thread is that there is very little actual 'flying' these days as most phases of flight are automated. So if stick and rudder stuff and the pure pleasure of flying is what you are after then you should aspire to onshore flying. If you are into automation then you'll find a much more stable and rewarding career as an airline pilot.
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Newbie posting here - looking at options to begin the long journey to CPL(H). Just wondering if anyone has any up to date figures for obtaining my license in the UK (or abroad if better/cheaper options)
Been quoted hugely varying rough estimates from different schools for the cost from start to finish so thought it may be wise to ask some impartial sources?
Apologies if I'm looking for a simple answer to something far more complicated but have struggled to get consistent estimates for the overall cost.
Thanks in advance
Been quoted hugely varying rough estimates from different schools for the cost from start to finish so thought it may be wise to ask some impartial sources?
Apologies if I'm looking for a simple answer to something far more complicated but have struggled to get consistent estimates for the overall cost.
Thanks in advance
If any doubt, go fixed wing.
If you really want to fly helicopters, invest 65k and risk ending up with no job:
R22 PPL 20k (60 hours, average for getting PPL)
hour building 95 hours 27k
ATPL distant learning 3k
CAA exams 0,9k
R22 CPL 11k
Total 62k
Gives you a CPL(H) with 185 hours.
most people use hourbuilding to get an additional typerating which will increase the 27k a bit.
Some also go abroad to hour build, depending on exchange rates it can be a bit cheaper.
If you do it in a G2, then add ~15k to the bill.
Not 100% accurate figures but it's a good ballpark figure to make a plan with. Rates change during the year so make sure you have a bit more than worked out.
With just a CPL you most likely won't find much work so you either invest in a FI 12k or IR 45k,
An instructor job will give you 45 per hour, max 4 students a day so if you're busy not too bad.
IR is a huge investment and it comes down to who you know if you can get a job somewhere which onshore will start with 35k and offshore around 45-50k all depending on employer etc.
By the time you finish your training (which will take at least 1 year) things might have changed in a positive direction or in a negative direction.
Drones are more widely used in places where helicopters were used, Northsea is slowly shutting down (Compare the number of platforms 15 years ago and now).
Air ambulance, great job but salary not worth investing in an IR.
Think about what kind of job you would like and how it can impact your life (beeing away from home when you work offshore, FI hard work for minimum pay etc)
Good luck!!
Looking back, would I have gone for a fixed wing career........
If you really want to fly helicopters, invest 65k and risk ending up with no job:
R22 PPL 20k (60 hours, average for getting PPL)
hour building 95 hours 27k
ATPL distant learning 3k
CAA exams 0,9k
R22 CPL 11k
Total 62k
Gives you a CPL(H) with 185 hours.
most people use hourbuilding to get an additional typerating which will increase the 27k a bit.
Some also go abroad to hour build, depending on exchange rates it can be a bit cheaper.
If you do it in a G2, then add ~15k to the bill.
Not 100% accurate figures but it's a good ballpark figure to make a plan with. Rates change during the year so make sure you have a bit more than worked out.
With just a CPL you most likely won't find much work so you either invest in a FI 12k or IR 45k,
An instructor job will give you 45 per hour, max 4 students a day so if you're busy not too bad.
IR is a huge investment and it comes down to who you know if you can get a job somewhere which onshore will start with 35k and offshore around 45-50k all depending on employer etc.
By the time you finish your training (which will take at least 1 year) things might have changed in a positive direction or in a negative direction.
Drones are more widely used in places where helicopters were used, Northsea is slowly shutting down (Compare the number of platforms 15 years ago and now).
Air ambulance, great job but salary not worth investing in an IR.
Think about what kind of job you would like and how it can impact your life (beeing away from home when you work offshore, FI hard work for minimum pay etc)
Good luck!!
Looking back, would I have gone for a fixed wing career........
European Helicopter Centre offer an Integrated CPL(H) for about £73k, on an R44. Alternatively, you can do the integrated ATPL(H)/IR with MCC for about £115k if you want to aim for IR-rated flying. The rent for a room at the school is typically about £600 a month, so factor in about 13-15months of stay if you're serious about it.
I'm just putting this here as another option or so you have a first hand source for the cost from zero to commercially licenced pilot. https://en.ehc.no/helicopter-pilot/tuition-fees/
I'm just putting this here as another option or so you have a first hand source for the cost from zero to commercially licenced pilot. https://en.ehc.no/helicopter-pilot/tuition-fees/
Well they use R22's at the moment but I believe they're transitioning everything to the R44 as some students are too heavy for the R22 to be practical, and with an R44 the school can bring two students and more fuel for a longer trips. Two students splitting flight time away & flight time back for better and more diverse Nav etc. Just allows them to offer better more interesting training rather than always flying circuits in the same airfield like many ATOs. The difference in the course between the R22 or R44 as it stands only appears to be £8.5k across a 130hour integrated course (i.e. £65 per hour). Whether that's worth it is subjective; it may be overpriced in your opinion, but to others it might be justified.
Well they use R22's at the moment but I believe they're transitioning everything to the R44 as some students are too heavy for the R22 to be practical, and with an R44 the school can bring two students and more fuel for a longer trips. Two students splitting flight time away & flight time back for better and more diverse Nav etc. Just allows them to offer better more interesting training rather than always flying circuits in the same airfield like many ATOs. The difference in the course between the R22 or R44 as it stands only appears to be £8.5k across a 130hour integrated course (i.e. £65 per hour). Whether that's worth it is subjective; it may be overpriced in your opinion, but to others it might be justified.
As for "circuits", as you call them, I did many of them at many different airfields during my training without an R44,...even did a couple (hundred mile plus) cross countries, so I don't really see much benefit there, but whatever.
Anyway, an extra £8.5k would certainly help while trying to live off entry level pilot pay, so for those who desire to shell out more dough for the same line of ink on the same piece of plastic,...?
You're crazy!
