Absolutely agree with coffin corner....he'd be madder than the maddest thing you could think off. Realistically, he's going to have to fork out at least double the 28k for training(add living costs for 18 months to 2 years on top of that assuming he trained full time), then at least another minimum 12- 15k for type rating....and then assuming he's the luckiest man alive...he might just get himself a job that pays him 20k a year. If he's willing to go the full hog then go to one of the integrated schools and spend 80k for your licence and then another 25k on top of that for a type rating with a job with ryanair. Either way, he'll be pushing 50....best keep the severance pay and maybe do a PPL and enjoy the flying on the social side.