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Old 5th Mar 2015, 21:41
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Transsonic2000
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Europe
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Hi and welcome to the forum!

Well, it all depends where you want or would like to fly some day, and secondly you'll never know in which part of the world you might end up flying in the future. If your final goal is to fly commercially in Europe some day, and consider the Seychelles "only" as the first step into the business, then you'd need to take the European (EASA) path. If your goal is flying around the Seychelles and later on maybe internationally, except Europe, then I'd say take the FAA (US) path, since it's far less theory-loaded, less bureaucratic and more hands-on experience oriented. I mean both licenses (FAA & EASA) are internationally highly valued and recognized. But, as already mentioned, if you want to fly in Europe some day you must have an EASA license, but that's more of economical and financial matters. It's simply about keeping prospective customers from going to the US for flight training, instead of spending their money at home and to protect the European pilot job market.

As already mentioned, the European training is very theory loaded and bureaucratic. The biggest challenge, when we are talking about becoming a professional pilot, is (without a doubt) the studies for the ATP exams. Prerequisite would be, to have the EASA PPL (private pilot license) in order to get started with the ATP theory. Then you have the choice of either taking a distance learning course or full time (residential) course. Many people decide to take a distance learning course, since they have to work a full time job, but be advised, don't underestimate the time and effort you have to put in. D/L (distance learning) requires a high degree of motivation and discipline, many people underestimate this, including myself! If possible (if you don't have to work full time) and if you want to get this obstacle (ATP theory) out of the way in minimum time (approx. 6 month) I highly recommend going for a full time (residential) course!

After passing the ATP exams, usually one need to built flight time and get the IR (instrument rating) as well as the CPL. You can do this in any EASA member state (meaning EU). Budget wise I'd be looking towards Poland, since they are an EASA member but they don't have the Euro yet.

Time frame (EASA) PPL to (frozen) ATP (=CPL/IR with ATP Theory) depends on, if you have to work a full time job, besides flying and studying, absolute minimum 2 years, more realistic would be 3 years and more. If you can commit yourself to full time studying and flying, I'd say 18 to 24 month.

The FAA (US) path (PPL to CPL/IR) full time, about 12 month or even less.


Here a few links you might want to look at:

Profpilot.co.uk: The Cheerful Flight Training Site! (take a look at courses [top menu bar] and ATPL Theory Exams, you'll find D/L course providers as well as full time course providers)

Bartolini Air EASA Flight Training Organisation - Fly in Poland

European Flight Training Home - European Flight Training (EASA and/or FAA flight training in the USA)

SAA International, flying and flight training San Diego California, how to become a pilot (EASA and/or FAA flight training in the USA)

http://www.sonoran-wings.com/#!flight-training/c1g1z (US flight school, FAA training only)

http://www.aviaaviation.com/ (US flight school, FAA training only)

Hope I could help and good luck!

Last edited by Transsonic2000; 5th Mar 2015 at 22:50.
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