Integrated Courses

[J913rph]

I was wondering if you guys and gals who have undertake or taking a course could provide me with some information on the integrated courses?

I'm struggling really to comprehend the approach to the 40k - 60k required to approach the dream...

What I really wanted to know is do any of you manage to work part time, just to cover your living accomm and food etc? or is the course a 8-6 all day thing 5 days a week? Obviously you need to include time for learning and reading, but I was wondering if there is time to do the odd shift at a bar etc to cover your expenses?

Many Thanks James.

[jb2_86_uk]

Hi James,

when I start my integrated course in July I fully intend to get a part time job (Im thinking a weekend day and one week day evening) to assist with living costs, but I will be quitting at the drop of a hat if I think it is interfering with my work.

Having already spent time at university away from home, I think I have got all the 'partying' out of my system and am quite prepared to spend any free time I have studying - so I am hoping I can afford to lose perhaps 15 hours a week to earn some pocket money!

I too would be interested to hear from current/past students who attempted the same feat!

JB

[clanger32]

I can't speak for everyone as I'm sure there are some out there that would say you can do it. I'm equally sure you'll get plenty of people [sarcasm mode] incredulous that you could ever be stupid enough to do an integrated course.[/sarcasm mode]

However, to answer the questions asked, in my experience: forget it. There is no chance you could work part time and do yourself justice on the course. Lessons are 8:40- 4:30 ish and you WILL need to do about three hours per night on top of this to stay on top of it. You could choose to work weekends etc, but I would suggest you'll find yourself so knackered out that you'll desperately need this little spare time to cling to any shred of life outside of ground school. You will also probably need to factor time at the weekends as well.

Beware that there will instantly be replies saying something along the lines of "Pah, I don't know where monkey nuts here has got this from, you can do the whole lot in three months on two hours a night". It may be possible to do this and pass the exams - I just don't know, but I DO know that half the point of an integrated course is to ensure you know the material inside out. Again, I can't say that those that "did it in three months" don't know the stuff, only state the belief that from my experience, unless they're ex-military converting to civvy, they almost certainly won't.

Do NOT underestimate how hard the path is...it was a real eye opener for me and just about everyone I know that has/is treading it...
good luck

[D O Guerrero]

Like Clanger says - forget it, certainly during the Groundschool phase. I do know several people who have found part time work at weekends during the IR phase. There is more time available and you will not be flying/simming every hour of the day. In fact I reckon I have averaged 3 flights or sims a week so far.
During the groundschool - you will have periods where you are not so busy, but you'll probably want to just get away from work when you have any spare time.

[J913rph]

Thanks for the info, I was thinking of doing the Jetline Course with BCFT.

This is similar to the modular route but runs concurrently over a minimum of 39 weeks I expect a year. What I was trying to guage is if I'd have the odd evening spare or be able to spare a day at the weekend.

Would it be a fair assumption that it could be possible to work (just not through the ground school as I would like time for study and need a break from all the study), but during the other IR, hours building etc stages it should be ok?

[clanger32]

hmmm....not sure, but I think you probably could manage a part time job during the flying stages, but whether you could get enough hours to make it worthwhile is a different kettle of fish (I'm just thinking in terms of if you could only manage one shift a week, earning (Say) £25, would that be enough to justify the extra working time, or would you be better off just using that time to revise [for interviews etc], prepare CVs, checklists etc.)

Probably can be done in flying phase, but play very much by ear and be careful!

[giertom1]

:zzz: I started my course mid november (Jetline with BCFT), I went through PPL Night rating and half of hours building.

From mon 8:00 to fri 16:30 I`m in Bournemouth. Every friday after ground school I`m going back home to work. Sat and sun, and I`m not going to give up yet because that weekend job (2days avg 20-24h and about £200net) pays my expenses for up to 2 weeks.

It is SO SO SO hard but its worth it. :)

dont you think so?

Good luck with you choises :):ok:

[heli_port]

Hi, i have just passed OAA's assessment and if i can raise the money i will do some part time work :)