Modular Route

[Oneday78]

Hi,

I'll make this short and sweet. Like most here, i want to become a pilot. Modular route seems the only realistic option. Can people give me an idea of how long it can take starting from scratch with a full time job in tow?? ..oh and realistic prices as there seems to be such variance.

[FlyingForFun]

with a full time job in towIf you're anything like me, the limiting factor will be getting time off work.

I started with a PPL, and with time on my hands to hour-build due to redundancy. After hour-building, I started full-time work again. It then took me 12 months to do the ATPL exams. I was lucky enough to have enough annual leave left to be able to just about squeeze a CPL in before the end of the year, and that's where I am now. If I were to stay in full-time employment (not sure that I will...) I'd probably be looking to do an IR next year, and that alone would use up most of my annual leave. Flying instructor course, if you want to go that way, will take a whole year of annual leave too. You get the picture.....

Good luck!

FFF
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[strafer]

Oneday78,

bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question. But..

It's unlikely to cost you less than £30k. It shouldn't cost you more than £50k. Spend the first £25 of that on Clive Hughes' book (search on pprune for his details).

From the look of some of your other posts, you've tried cadetships but were unsuccessful. Why did you fail? Were there questions that you could have answered but didn't prepare/research thoroughly enough, or were there other reasons that might impact on your ability to actually be a pilot through the modular route? If the first, then keep trying and remember that you've still got plenty of time on your side. You're a lot younger than me for a start!

As to the rest, it's so connected with your own individual circumstances that's it's hard to give generic answers.

Good luck.

[Arrowhead]

Get your medical first.

Cant properly remember PPL, but you can get flying done at weekends in the UK (weather permitting) while you finish PPL groundschool probably over 6 months if you REALLY go for it and weather is good. Budget GBP6000. Or can do flying in US over 3 weeks, saving GBP2000.

ATPL groundschool full time was 6-7 months. With job has to be at least 12. Budget GBP2500 and go with Bristol GS

CPL takes 2 weeks full time. Budget GBP4500 in UK, GBP3500 in US.

IR takes 6 weeks full time. Budget GBP11000.

MCC takes one week. Budget GBP2000 (?)

Hope that helps.

[Oneday78]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Think I will go for the book by C. Hughes. Should have got it a long time ago.

Preparation certainly was a problem with the first cadetship. Later ones was more likely down to sheer numbers and lack of positions available etc etc (sob story - and perhaps my inability??).

Can anyone give me more info about training for PPL in the US (or South Africa as I've heard mentioned). I see that you may be able to save about £2,000 on direct costs, but is this cut down drastically with conversion, accomodation, travel and other costs?.

Any pointers/websites or threads would be good.

Thanks again.

[strafer]

Can anyone give me more info about training for PPL in the US (or South Africa as I've heard mentioned)
If you buy a GA mag such as 'Flyer', you'll find a lot of adverts for US & SA PPL providers. Draw up a shortlist, make sure they're definitely going to give you a JAA-PPL and then drawl pprune for opinions/info. Remember, it's what suits you best that matters. Personally I did mine in Florida and would definitely recommend it.

As mentioned by Arrowhead, it's all a moot point if you can't get a Class one medical. (£400 from those friendly folks in Gatwick).

[FlyingForFun]

If you're looking at doing your initial training in the US, there are two ways of going about it.

1) Do an FAA PPL. The convert it to a JAR PPL.

2) Do a JAR PPL at one of the schools in America which the UK CAA has approved.

Sorry I don't know very much more about this route - but I thought I'd make this distinction to avoid any confusion as you do your research.

FFF
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[Oneday78]

Again, thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated.

Looking into the possiblity of doing the PPL abroad (JAR or to convert FAA). Information from some of the websites seems slightly hazy. Can someone clear up the course structure of such schemes.

As for instance the time structure. It may be possible for me to get up to a month off work (hmmm...really?..maybe if I beg and scrape!). If this was the case would I have to do the groundschool via distance learning in he UK before I left for the US/SA and would it be possible to do the flying in the time allotted (weather permitting)?.

Thanks

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

The weakened dollar certainly now makes it more attractive to do the PPL and hours building over in the US. Given the cost savings don't go for the very cheapest school - there's no need.

Then come back and do the CPL and IR and Groundschool in the UK.

Good luck,

WWW

[strafer]

would I have to do the groundschool via distance learning in he UK before I left for the US/SA
Oneday,

I don't know if you're getting confused but when most people speak about groundschool via distance learning, they're referring to the 14 exams for the frozen ATPL. For the JAA PPL, there are 7 written exams, but it's certainly possible to do all of these along with your 45hrs flight training in three weeks in the US/SA. The prices quoted for your PPL should include all groundschool books/tuition/etc. I'd suggest e-mailing a few schools to check exactly what they provide. (A lot also provide 0800 numbers as well).

[No. 2]

Oneday78,

It's quite possible to do the PPL abroad in 3-4 weeks. I did it in 4 in the US but certainly could have squeezed it into 3 weeks.

If you want to do a JAR licence, which is a minimum of 45 hrs training and 7 exams, then there are about 10 schools worldwide that are approved by the UK CAA to carry out the training. If they're not approved then you would have to train for an FAA licence, if for example you went to the US. The list of schools approved for training is here. (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/srg_fcl_ApprovedFTOs.pdf) .

There's no problem with getting an FAA PPL, and it can be used in the UK. However, you may wish to convert it to a JAR PPL on return to the UK. To do this you have to do the skills test, and if you have less than 100hrs, all the JAR written exams and RT test. If decide to get a JAR PPL after gaining 100hrs then I believe you only have to do the skills test and the human factors test, and possibly the RT too. But check on that.

If you decide to do a JAR four-week course abroad, then you can either take the exams whilst your out there, or do them before you leave. If you choose to do them out there, which is what I did, then I would strongly advise studying before you actually leave to start the flying training. Get hold of a set of Thom or Pratt books.

As WWW pointed out, with the exchange rate so favourable, then it would be financially a good choice to go to the US.

Good luck,

No. 2

[Oneday78]

Strafer/WWW/No. 2,


thanks for the info. All taken on board etc. Seems to me, at present...and this may change, that it maybe the best idea etc, seeing as I would be able to learn in one short period rather than drag it out over a prolonged period of time, plus the potential cost benefits which would suit me fine.

Strafer,
I was aware of the difference but the language used by myself was suitably vague.....to try and cover all bases.........it didn't work, it only confused......lesson has been learnt.