Advice on FTO Flying academy in Prague

[Sameer Aryan]

Hi everyone,

My name is Sameer.
I am currently in London doing my EASA ppl and hopefully finish by May 2016. Next year I am planning to go for ATPL integrated.

I been doing some research on FTO's around europe and in UK as well. FTO's in UK are very expensive (i.e going around 60-70K and thats not even any where near to CTC and OAA). I come across Flying academy in Prague which is quite competitive compare to others.

My dilemma is if they are EASA approved license holder than does it matter if I do my ATPL in UK or Prague? Also I would like to know about their standard of training and coaching.

Currently I am working for a very good company in UK with a good salary package. But I am gonna resign after I finish my PPL to go for integrated ATPL. I know its gonna be bit expensive than Modular but I have some reviews about integrated. Also the other reason to go for integrated is my age. I am 33 years old and i dont think if I go for modular I will finish on time to join any airline.

Pls help me and guide me to reach the right decision about selection of FTO.
your guidance and advice will be highly appreciated.

Many Thanks
Regards

Sameer Aryan

[skyboy83]

Doing intergrated course on a non famous cheap school is extremelly risky. I will not recommend that. Especially for a ppl holder. I think modular way is the best solution.

[Sameer Aryan]

Hi Skyboy83,

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about modular but does Airlines recruit modular pilots of 35 yrs old. Bcoz by the time I will finish my modular training i will be around 35 yrs.

Is it possible to finish modular training in the same time flame as integrated if i do full time studies like five days of training in a week?

About Flying Academy, they have opened another branch in Miami and they have two base in Czech republic (i.e Prague and Bruno) so I thought may be they are not that bad. But again I dont have much information yet. I am still finding more information about them.

Thanks for the reply.

Regards

Sameer

[MartinCh]

FA is more costly option in Czech Rep. Having said that, they're geared towards cashed up foreigners. I've seen few when sitting ATPL exams in Prague.

The Miami branch is probably just good for the PR. One can fly C150 or similar in Czech for not much more than the actual cheapo rental rate. Florida also has sales tax on rental. If not wanting to fly in the US for the sake of experience/adventure, the current Euro pegged currencies vs strong USD, do not make it worth for knocking off some solo flight time only if not needing FAA ratings. Count in related travel/housing/rental car/airport shuttle and it isn't that superb at the minute. GBP is the better off currency, at least.

I would rather not go into employability, UK airlines, int vs modular, age etc. Plenty to peruse on this website.

BTW, the training out of one of the bigger airports and shooting IFR approaches at (very limited number of) airports, costs a lot, considering the 'navigation/time in CTR/CTA', T&G or landing or approach fees. That adds a lot in Czech on top of the pricing for actual rental/dual. DO CHECK realistic ancillary costs. Still cheaper than UK overall, surely, just get all budget related stuff clear and costed in.

The ATPL exams in Prague now cost 5 times more thanks to amount of foreigners (and locals now, involuntarily) to be milked for 'competitive' exam fees. Licence issue fees are bargain compared to UK, but still doubled or tripled 1.1.2015 onwards.

I'd be more worried about 90%+ ATPL exam passes and 'same ATO for ME IR and CPL' than having integrated on CV, for UK market.

[Sameer Aryan]

Thankx a lot MartinCh.

That makes a lot of sense why such a aggressive marketing FA is doing. I will look for each and every hidden cost they may have before making decision.

Thankx for reply.

Regards

Sameer

[skyboy83]

Happy new year guys

First of all i wanna say that i am just a ppl owner with 0 experience in comercial aviation.
At second i dont think that airlines cares too much if you finish modular or integrated course or if you pass atpl theory with high marks. I believe it is your performane on airline s assessment day which give you the ticket for the commercial aviation.
Our age( i am 32) it is probably little disadvantage but i heard for many 0-hour guys that get hired who was 40+
If they done it, why not i? I believe that All we need is effort and hard work

[Sameer Aryan]

Happy new year to all,

Well said Skyboy83. Good spirit. Lets keep up the hard work. To be honest at the moment I am not even thinking too much about whether i will get job or not. I just want to do this bcoz this has became my passion. I want this and I want this very badly. I have also delayed my wedding for this. So you can understand how much I m into this studies.

For me the question is not, Whether I should do this or Not?
For me the question is what is the best and cheap way to do this?

Take care.

Regards

Sameer