Hi ncusack,
The primary concern of the banks in this regard is your ability to repay the loan advance. If you have steady income and are with the same employer for a reasonable duration and you've got no major debts elsewhere then you should be fine. The golden rule used by the banks is 'proven ability to repay'. Basically this means that roughly all your monthly repayments can't be more than approx. 30% of your GROSS monthly salary. Some banks and institutions push this criteria as high as 45%.
If you have a mortgage and you've got some equity then you could avail of up to 75% of the total equity (subject to you salaries and ability to repay the revised total loan amount). At the rate the Irish property market prices are increasing, especially in the greater Dublin area, the equity release sought will more than likely be replenished by your home rising even further in market value over the next 3,5,8 or so years. It's just another way of skinning the cat!
One other thing just struck me . . . Venture Capital . . . I wonder will a Venture Capital type company advance funds to a venture such as the ATPL and possibly jet ratings and they'll take a cut of your earnings on appointed to a carrier? Actually, has anybody else out there investigated this option? or any other for that matter?
Hope this helps you a bit further.
Slan,
RedEye4