Hi Nick,
I actually went myself 2 weeks ago to see the guys at FTA. I have to say I was very impressed with the setup and also the instructors. I was given several hours of their time and they were down to earth and to the point.
The aircraft are modern and exceptionally well looked after, very clean and tidy. The students I spoke to spoke highly of the training and the instructors concerned, although they said the work and rota's were hard going. The Zero-fATPL Course is long and by no means an easy course 18-22 months of FULL TIME study Monday - Friday 08:00-18:00 in the school, with weekends also being used for flying if hours are low or weather in the week bad.
Fee's wise, the course is 100% self funded, and the price quoted is for completing in minimal hours, i.e.: not failing any of the ground exams, or the practical assessments. Landing fees, approach fees are included, but again this is only a handful so if you are not 100% spot on then there are going to be further hourly costs for flying £260+ per hour, plus landing fees, approach fees etc etc. I was advised to budget nearer the £55,000 mark for the course, plus of course you will need accommodation, food etc which is not included in this course! (If you live local then it may not be a problem). They don't ask for the money up front, something that I WOULD NOT DO is pay that amount of money in advance, just look at Cabair going bust for the 3rd time!!!! You pay up front you loose the lot if the school goes belly up...... I would be uncomfortable having anything more than £10,000 at a time on account with a flying school.
My partner is already an FO flying for a UK Airline and went the OAA Course Route, but we are servicing a £90,000 debt in total as the Airbus type rating was a further £35,000 on top and they are only making circa £2200 a month at the moment flying minimal hours...... hopefully the summer will prove to be more busy....... They have just reached the 500 hours point and the hourly rate does go up now, but not a huge amount. Out of the 30 or so students from the course, 6 have full time jobs at the moment.......
I have made my choice that FTA will be the school I go with, I am prepared to take the risk of doing my commercial training but working in the medical profession I have a trade to fall back onto if this goes wrong.
I am lucky in the fact that I have 60% of the fees saved up and will hopefully this year be able to raise the remainder required, and through the support of my partner will be able to start the course maybe in 2013. I am fully aware however how bad the industry is at the moment but for me its a risk I am prepared to take..... what the outcome will be I don't know.
If you have the money then go for it, but if you are worried about cash, living on no money for 2 years and then no promise of a job then hold fire for a while!!!!!!!
BTW - loans for training don't exist these days unless you apply to BBVA who will only offer you the training money if they secure a loan on your house, and there are so many terms and conditions attached to it you are taking a huge risk. An example is £60.000 borrowed, the repayments would be in the region of £800.00 per month for 11 years!!!!! Plus then you need £35,000 for a type rating, which you will need another loan for, combine this amount of money you will be working erratic hours for very little........
Thinking about the above points, why am I considering doing this...... Hummm, Oh Yeah, the desire to fly......
Good Luck