>Unless the industry booms, and the demand grows considerably >wont i be scratching around for employment with a hefty debt >around my neck??
i dont want to burst your bubble but thats the most probable outcome, with a 90% probablility right now (from people who graduated with JAA fATPL in the last two years).
if you go the JAA fATPL way, you must be sure you are ready to lose everything. as you have experienced, even the fligth school/scheme may go bust
My point of view is that its better to get a PPL, maybe do some hour building in a cheap country (like USA), have some fun and wait for your IR/MEIR/JAA exams. Anyway , a JAA fATPL license is totally useless at the moment