Pilot Training Schools

[grant33]

Hi everyone,

I am 33 and a master student in the USA. However, I want to change my career path and register for a pilot training program. I do not have any flying experience and no chance to afford all costs of my training! Is there any school or academy that can provide a loan which covers all training costs, accommodation etc.? Also, I am not an EU or US citizen.

I plan to register for 0-ATPL Integrated program in US or Europe. Could you advise me some good schools and funding options? Thank you!

[Nunavut1]

Greetings, I am also in my thirty's and currently looking at aviation schools. I have been setting my sights on Flight Safety Academy in Florida. What schools have you been looking at?

[grant33]

Actually, there are a lot of aviation school options and I've contact with Epic Flight Academy, Aerocadet, Aerosim and PEA in Florida. However, there is no bank loan that covers all costs of the integrated training.

I have looked at some schools in Europe too. Keilir, Jerez and Olympos. Nevertheless, I am not an EU or US citizen. That's why it is really hard to find a financial aid, yet I will not give up and try to find other options.

[hobbit1983]

In the UK (and I think most likely in Europe) there are no loans that cover the entire training costs. Easyjet put out a scholarship for six female 0-atpl pilots, I think. That's it.

Nobody needs to provide this because there are more than enough people willing to self fund.

[grant33]

Hobbit1983, you are absolutely right! There are a lot of people willing to self fund. However, I do not want to give up easily.

[Martin_123]

so you're saying you're neither EU nor US citizen - mind me asking, what's your citizenship and work permit situation then? I don't see how anyone can recommend you anything without knowing this very important detail first. Would it not make more sense to figure out where are you eligible to work first before deciding if you should study under FAA or EASA system?

[grant33]

Hi Martin_123, you are right! I am a Turkish citizen. I do not have a work permit for EU countries and US. However, I can work with EASA in Turkey. As you know, professional pilot training costs in Europe are higher than US and that's why I think that may be I can take FAA first and convert it to EASA. As my main goal is to work in Turkey. On the other hand, professional pilot training costs in Turkey are higher than Europe. Thus, I try to find other options.

[hobbit1983]

Hobbit1983, you are absolutely right! There are a lot of people willing to self fund. However, I do not want to give up easily.

Well, I sincerely wish you do find a loan to cover it all; however, I rather suspect you'll have to self fund/borrow from friends/beg borrow steal etc, unfortunately. Good luck though - plenty of advice and testimonials on this forum on that subject.

[cefey]

What security can you offer to school bank?
If something happens to you, how will they get their money back?

Let's reverse it. Would you loan 100.000 euros to someone, who "promised you to pay it back"? Ask your friends/family to set their house on the line and get money from the bank.

If your family won't take that risk, be assured, no banks/school will neither.

[Ihatemondays]

Grant 33...I can not help you with loan and funding however I can tell, you are looking into expansive schools. Maybe they are quality schools but if money is problem perhaps you can look at the cheaper schools. Give a look to schools in Eastern Europe...you might finish f(atpl) between 30-40 thousand euros(No MCC, mcc is not necessary for Turkey). If you need more information about the schools, you can contact me...

[grant33]

Ihatemondays, I agree with you! It is an expensive training and I will take a bank loan to afford my training anyway. Eastern Europe countries are very cheap when you compare with England, Ireland, Baltic countries and Turkey. I think that Bartolini Air (Poland) could be a good choice. They state that their EASA 0-fATPL program can be completed in 18 months and its cost is 40.000 euro. Also, they mention that costs like accommodation, medicals, license issue fees etc. a student needs to budget an additional €5000 – €7000.

When I look at this picture it seems like a pretty good deal. However, I do not have any idea about weather conditions in Poland. What do you think, can it be a major obstacle? On the other hand, I was thinking that getting fATPL is not enough for an airline job. Also, I have to take Type Rating and its cost is about 30000-40000 euro as well.

[Martin_123]

Turkish airlines are running fully paid cadetships from time to time for Turkish citizens, why not try one of those?

I don't think getting an FAA licence and then converting it to EASA will be any cheaper than getting the EASA licence right away.. just don't go for one of the big 4 expensive schools and you should be fine

[grant33]

Martin 123, Turkish Airlines' fully paid cadetship programs are great and I wish I had a chance to participate it. However, there is an age limit. Because of that I cannot apply for the program. Ihatemondays mentioned East Europe option and I think that Bartolini Air (Poland) could be a good choice. Do you have any idea about the school and Poland weather condition?

[Martin_123]

It's continental so it's more stable, high pressure dominates frequently (comparing to UK/Ireland), but in summer time you have to watch out for thunderstorms.. not a big problem.

I wouldn't focus on Poland alone, there are loads of schools in Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Spain etc, google is your friend

before you even start doing anything, just grab an intro lesson - see if you like it at all or not.. Also get your medical done just to see if you are fit enough. No point in building dream castles if you haven't got your foundation in place... I've seen too many people dreaming big but failing at the basics, so make sure you're not one of them before spending any money or making any big life decisions