To train or not to train....that is the question

[yoteach]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post so im am really looking for so postive constructive replies. :)

I have wanted to be a pilot ever since I can remember and have learnt to fly privatley, done work experience at 2 airports but every time I go to an aviation school open day I am always put off by the cost of the course.

I am now 23 and a teacher, working next to BHX (literally under the flight path) and everyday I am reminded how I have not achieved my dream.

If I were to do it I would need to take a pretty heafty loan out as you all know. However I do not know how any pilot that takes a loan has any quality of life as from what I have seen stating salary is around 25k. This is a take home of about £1400 after tax. If your paying back a loan of £1000 it leaves you with £400 which would not even cover the cost of my rent and petrol.

I know there are other ways of doing training but if I were to do it I feel the way that would suit me best would be to get a loan and do the intergrated route. I have saved a small sum but it is just a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of the course.

So I was hoping for some pilots that have got a loan to tell me if I am right with my calculations and let me know what its like when you have got your first job.

Thanks

[hollingworthp]

If cost is a primary factor for you (which it seems to be) - then why do you feel so certainly that spending an extra 30k is the right thing to do?

(I trained at OAA but have no particular axe to grind over modular being better or worse than integrated)

[Halfwayback]

Yoteach
Welcome to Pprune!

You will find that there are a large number of experienced pilots here who are pleased to help those like you get a foot on the first rung of the ladder. There also a lot of people who lack the experience but use the forum as a sounding board for their own voice!

However, I am sure that as a teacher yourself, you will appreciate that nearly all the questions that a student asks will have been asked (and answered) many times before.

Therefore if you were to spend a little time doing a bit of research in these threads you will find most of the answers you are looking for.

Consequently I am closing the thread before it gets hijacked. If you can't find the answers, send me a PM.

HWB