The intial post didn't state what they had.
GFT are the MEP cpl and IR rounded up with a partial in the IR which is always best to budget for. And as for aircraft hire i worked on 1.5 for MEP and 4 hours for IR and CPL at 350 an hour. remeber caafu can send you anywhere for the tests. Add onto that the nav charges and landing fees.
And i don't think it would save 2 grand on the CPL because the school still needs to covers its costs on acreditation and 5k is cheap for a CPL and will only go up in the future when demand picks up. And i would imagine that if it is cheaper to get a FAA cpl first then do JAR cpl that loop hole will be shut.
And as i said the poster never stated hours in intial post but CAA isn't known for letting people away with the cheap option and i doudt they would take 300hrs as alot.
Still recon that you wouldn't have much change out of 35k if they did convert in the end.
And forgot the medical and RT exams + lic so stick another 600 on for them.
And i haven't even taken into account a MCC course if they want to fly a multi pilot plane.
MJ