Is now a good time to train for 0 to frozen ATPL ?

[chocksaway]

Hi,

I am 25 working as a senior IT Engineer. I have always wanted to be a pilot, but at school I was persuaded down the IT route. I am finally in a position to pay for a full time training course to obtain a frozen ATPL. I have spoken to Leeds FS ( can I put their name ? ) and the guy I spoke to ( Kevin I think ) was extremely helpful.

What I am looking for is advice (positive or negative) on peoples opinion of dropping an 8 year established career to work towards what I have always wanted to do. I appreciate the current aviation market is not good, but there are some very experienced folk on this forum and I am looking for their educated views on what the industry could be like in 12-18 months time.

Thanks in advance to anyone for their advice. As wannabe it will be much appreciated.

[davidpowell]

Chocks away,

You are in a similar position to myself (give rather than take a few years.) If you are seriously thinking of doing this, then you are obviously prepared to travel around a bit. If this is the case, then what are you giving up?

You should know that the IT contracting market is always there. Make sure you keep yourself reasonably current in IT whilst you train for F/O, and you should not have a problem. Read the current postings and you will see that the job market for flying is not really there at the moment, so as long as you keep yourself a fall back position (IT), no worries. Assuming you have no other responsibilities of course (family etc.)

Go for it....

Dave.

[chocksaway]

I am currently living at home and single. Travelling was going to be a big part of learning to fly and I was looking at Australia. Listening to advice I have choosen against that route as Australia/New Zealand are having the same if not worse problems than ourselves. I am quite happy in my current job so am no rush to start my training ( obviously given different circumstances in the industry I would start tomorrow! ).

My concern is do I start training now and assume the industry will pick up in 18 months? or do I wait and then potentially miss out in a future demand for pilots?

[CliffordAgius]

Chocks away

I am currently going through the traing at the moment. Just started on my ATPL's at london guildhall. I have spoken with a lot of people and always look about for the turn in the industry and I strongly believe that by next summer it will be on the up.

However if you think that you will be airline ready in 18 months then i thing you may be mistaken. Given resent evens airlines will not be taking 200 ish hour frozen atpl for a while.

Therfore i think that if you are really serious then you should start your training soon and plan to become a flight instructor for a year or two (Crap pay but free hours!) which will get you to the 750 to 100 hours mark and make you more appealing to the airlines.

This is my plan after a lot of long talks and research with people wqithin the industry etc.

But at the end of the day the decision is yours and you need to make the jump when you feel ready.

But what ever you choose good luck and enjoy it, you only live once. :) <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[piperindian]

the employment statistics are very very bad (look at other thread from spanks, appraently 4 out of 50 from OATS found a job, when you can assume this is through strong connections). this is valid worldwide apparently from what i read here (i know myself the european situation since i applied across europe with my Jar ATPL).. .In your case, at least you have a parachute. The problem is : its never satisfying to use a parchute when airline indsutry collapses like now (i think job losses are 200000s worldwide after 11 september). Personnaly i would never do it in the current market and would not do it again considering the cost and the risks involved (like after 11 september)

[Rta]

Dear Jocks Away, . .stop dwelling with yourself and do the abnitio course regardless the current commercial aviation situation.

The market will pick up again, pilots currently employed by commercial airlines will soon begin to retire, and 'gaps'will soon become available .

Get your ATPL licence and if you are strong willed and able to attend every single sim running, they (future employer)will get tired to see your face and will want to know more about you and possibly offer to you a job.

I have dwelled with myself for 10 years. What if I won't find a job.What if.... . .When will it ever be the right time to do the course?

I am 36, senior cabin crew member for the world favourite airline. I have taken 15 months un-paid leave, sold my house and car, I have nothing left but the money for the ab-nitio course starting in 20days, scared to my wits that I am just losing everything for nothing but...

I want to give myself this last chance!!! as I said I have already wasted 10yers of my life, now is the right time. Major airlines have momentanearly stopped cadetship scheme, flying school are desperately looking for 'customers' namely you the student. You could make your own 'term and conditions'...

Do I need to say more??????

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

[no sponsor]

Good luck RTA!!

As long as you have a fall-back plan i.e. can go back to your original job and earn the same dosh, then go for it.

Have you thought of approaching your current employer and asking them for a year off with unpaid leave? In the current climate, they may take you up on the offer. After the course, you could instruct at weekends, and build up your funds to do something full time.

[spitfire747]

RTA

It akes alot of guts to do what you have done, specially given the current climate, don't listen anyone who says anything against it.

Good Luck !

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

For the moment I would keep your full time job and salary. I would find a localish flying school and get a PPL. I would then build a few hours perhaps by spending a fortnight in the USA on holiday.

Then its ATPL Groundschool time via distance learning modualar course.

By the time you have all that sorted it will be about two years hence and the market will have improved sufficiently to allow you to sensibly spend £30,000 getting in and throwing away your current job.

Quitting now to go immediately onto an integrated course seems over opitmistic to me.

Good luck,

WWW

[D McQuire]

Best of luck Rta,

Sounds like it is now or never.

One point you made about making "your own 'terms and conditions'", can you tell if you successfully negotiated the price of your course down some?

I wonder has anyone else tried haggling in the last few months with the likes of Oxford, Cabair or BAe Systems for their ab-initio courses? If so, has anyone managed to get a good discount?

[Freak On A Leash]

Chocks,. .Go for it!. .Since you are a senior IT engineer you probably won`t have a problem getting back in the IT business if everything goes to hell.

The quickest way to get hours is by being an instructor in the States.There are a few schools over there that are JAA approved (in addition to FAA, of course).It might not be a bad idea to look into that option.

As far as the future of aviation with regards to hiring; it does seem rather hopeless right now, but keep in mind that there are a lot of experienced pilots who are going into retirement and there aren`t as many student pilots now as there were a few years ago.This will lead to a vacuum and this will be to your benefit - just as it should be.

[mattince]

I'm planning to get on the next available course at OAT in April - they've cut their courses to once every 3/4 months now!. I'm hoping that an OAT education will put me in a better position than others, although of course this isnot the only factor when applying for F/O positions!

I'd like to add to what Rta said about retirements. About a year ago, I made it through to the second round of the BA Cadetship interviews and we were told at the time that the airline was very concerned about the high levels of retirments that WILL take place - 250 per year, at least for the next 5 years! I think that's a staggering amount - or is it?

This was the whole reason behind BA recommencing their cadetship programme back in 1995/1996 and gives you some idea about how worried they were about the 'shortage' of pilots worldwide at the time.

I believe that, as what happened after the Gulf War, Americans will take about 2 years to start flying like they were before, whilst the rest of the World will take about a year or so.

Personally, I'd rather have worked very hard to achieve my commercial pilot license than have to sit in an office staring at my PC all day. It's the chance I'm willing to take - life's not a rehearsal!

Good luck guys & gals!

[Chrismcmon]

Exactly the same position as me, I start from zero to frozen in May. However I am going to Oz to to my training, It is considerably cheaper and you never know I might like it there and not want to come back.. .At worst you might not enjoy it and end up being in IT for the rest of your days at least you will not think back and say 'But what if'. .All the best

[ssnelson]

Chocks,

I 23years old and I am trying to go from 0 to ATPL. I found some money (BANK LOAN) last year and have just completed my PPL. It is still my dream to get my comercial license.

The one thing I am trying to do is do it while I work to keep money comming in. Unlike you I have not been able to save alot of money. This is due to the fact that on September 10 I got married and end of November my wife told me she was pregnant so I am a little stuck at the moment with other commitment.

I do not regret getting married and finding I am going to be a father the only thing I do regret is not getting of my lasy backside and doing it early. I would agree with keeping your job especailly if you still enjoy it get your PPL and enjoy it and then you can take the next step one step at a time.

I hope this helps

[Rowley]

Go for it!

People will always tell you that it is impossible to become a pilot! For far too long now the pilot has been placed on a golden throne. Don’t get me wrong, its a good job and pilots are 9/10 fantastic people. It now seems it will be even harder, but things will change. When the recruitment picks up you want to be first in the queue! You wont get to the front without the license!. .I’ve always wanted to do it, probably just like you. Use me as your guinea pig if you like matey.

. .I’ve just turned 22 I’ve got a PPL with 100hrsTT.I work as an IT engineer i earn 14k/year. Ive just got a 12month career break.. .I have just borrowed 15K from HSBC and in April I start the ATPL's full time at ATA. Then ill probably go to Triple'A' or Leeds FS. Then ill start work as an instructor (hopefully) for 2 years then ill get the IR and then I’m off to an airline coz by that time things should have picked up! Ill have a few???(?) Hrs and ill be at the front of that queue!!

. .I know people will disagree and some will agree.

. .But believe you me, Im gonna be buzzin every step of the way!!

Its your choice!

Rob

[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: Rowley ]</p>