With a view to becoming a pilot, The course in Carlow helped me greatly as regards knowing a great deal about all integral parts and aerodynamics of aircraft. If you are a school leaver like the gentleman enquiring a few posts back, it's a good way to get an academic grounding before going out into the big bad world and it also burns off a few so called "immature years"
. I think it's a bad idea to go straight into pilot training when you're fresh out of school, you gotta be in the right frame of mind for it and I sure as hell wouldn't have been at 18 years of age fresh from my Leaving cert. and I would imagine most people would be the same. So in saying that, I would recommend the courses in Carlow. If you are looking for a career as a pilot, it gives you a good grounding in the industry and the lecturers in Carlow are tops in their field, quality guys and gals up there!
On the other hand, if you were looking to pursue a career in Aero engineering, maintenance, technicians, I would be slightly hesitant to recommend it. While they are very good courses and do give you that "piece of paper" at the end, they don't really stand up very well out there in the industry. Look to companies that specify with apprenticeships like Shannon, Perth etc. etc. On another note, Carlow do have links with SR Technics in Shannon and Dublin, Airbus in Britain and Air Atlanta in Shannon.
So there are pros and cons. My advice is to research it. Everyone is different and has different needs. Good luck with your leaving cert. and in the future!
CP.