The Plan!
=======
Why?
Right, I have an ambition to be go semi-pro, i.e. weekend instructing. This will improve my piloting, improve chances and fun and I like to teach. However, if after a few thousand hours, this leads indirectly to a rhs seat on a 73, then so much the better!
Money?
Well, what with the lack of flying, christmas bonus and not-so-good pay increase, I am saving money at a heck of a rate.
So, here's my plan. In the interests of peer review, I'd be interested in your thoughts and ideas.
Medical
======
Number one priority is a Class One medical. I hold a Class Two btw.
budget - £200?
ATPL Ground school
==============
Full-time or distance learning? I'm lucky to live a 10 minute drive from Coventry Airport. This gives me a choice in either camp. Namely full-time at ATA, or a DL course at Atlantic Flight Training.
The DL/FT debate boils down to this. Can I afford to take six months off work? On the other hand, will I have enough study time if I keep working (I hold a job that utilises very little time). Yet, a FT course will ultimately offers better tuition, support and understanding hence a better chance of passing.
Gut feeling is that DL is better. Course is cheaper. Continued employment saves more money. Here I would be interested to know the quality of the course material for Atlantic, say compared to Oxford AT or Bristol.
Typically for a DL ATPL, how may hours a week of study is required?
One purely political point is with my employer. DL school requires 4 weeks off. I get 3 weeks leave entitlement. For the extra week, I would have to be honest and admit why. They will give it to me but will twig this. When I proceed onto the practical courses, I shall have to leave the company. I'm worried how they will take this*.
*personally speaking, if I didn't work for two months, they wouldn't really be over-stretched - perhaps a bargaining chip to use?
Budget - £2000
Time - 6 months
Build Hours
=========
Need 50. I know two owners who will let me fly for £50pcm, £50/hr.
Budget - £2600, plus (problem!) 1-2 weeks off
or do as-and-when.
Practical courses
============
Here, I should at around forthcoming Nov-Jan period. A Florida course doesn't necessarily save you an awful lot of cash, but offers plenty of good wx.
I see European FT in FL offer discounted courses (approx prices).
#1. CPL (A), MEP, FI(R) - £7,350
#2. CPL (A), MEP, FI(R), IR(A) - £15,385
Now, IR is not a requirement is my book, but nice to have, esp. with cash in el pockey. Also overcomes ATPL expiry problem.
I'm adding a good min. 30% for costs and retests.
Case 1
Budget - £10,000/ 6 weeks
Case 2
£20000 / 10 weeks
*I may also take the 2-week conversions to FAA.
After
====
Find new IT job. Save. Let funds recover. Instruct weekends. Worry about currency
So whaddya think?