Working whilst flying

[Blueskyrich]

Fellow Brummie,

Firstly, I can only echo what Sion said - stick with your job. A job is a job, especially at times like this.

I was in your shoes 4 or so years back. Already having your PPL is an excellent start. I'm not sure on your funding options so your next move is really dependant on that. I had funding in place, so my next move was a D/L groundschool for the ATPL. Working full-time, I completed this in around 18 months. Remember, you'll probably need to use your holiday leave to attend the brush-up courses and your exams.

Then, once they were all passed I moved on to hour-building. Took a couple of trips to the US to do this, again using holiday leave and a few days unpaid leave. Also did some hour building over here as I wanted to have some recent experience of flying in UK airspace and conditions. A good mix is important I think.

I was lucky enough to be able to persuade my employer to then give me 3 months' unpaid leave to go and do my CPL, IR and MCC. In the end, as with all good aviation plans, it was going to take longer so I handed in my notice as I didn't see it as fair on my employer.

I knew I would be able to find temp. work after the completion of the CPL/IR and I had something there (whilst not guaranteed!) to fall back on. As it happened, I was massively lucky (and I cannot emphasise the importance of fortune) to be called for an interview only 4 months after finishing off. For reasons I don't actually know or would even understand, I was offered a job which I now do, and which I love and absolutely adore.

The modular route is a wonderful route for people who already have some sort of profession/job and offers a good balance between experience/study/finance and sanity.

One final thing, it's a marathon not a sprint. With time comes experience, and experience can only make you a better pilot.