Enrolling to Flying School in this dark time, Yay or Nay???

[himo]

Hey all i really need some advice now.

I suppose to enroll to a flying school in Malaysia this June/July. Self-sponsored. Since the virus outbreak, should I wait until things recovered? or should I just proceed.

Some says, by the time i graduate (in 2 years) things have stabilized. Some says, just put on hold on the decision. Its not that I cant delay my enrollment but looking at the past year's trend, the fees in flying schools have increased tremendously year by year. If the pattern continues, by next year I cant afford to pay for the school's fees anymore and will lost my chance to become a Pilot. What do you guys say? Is it risky for me to continue?

I am a degree holder, and have a good career currently. Just that I want to chase my passion and do what I like.

Thanks!

[mach 84]

Stay where you are now! Otherwise you just will burn your money. With all the pilots retrenched now, you will be the last in the line, and this line is getting longer and longer day by day!

[Count von Altibar]

Maybe the best thing to do is keep the $ aside and sit it out for another year in your current career and wait and see the fallout of this mess we're currently experiencing. That way you could commence your training and still have your 2 years to complete that and then hopefully arrive in a better market. If you'd have popped out now with a frozen ATPL things would be pretty dire of course. At least you have a good career to fall back on in future if needed.

[Bloated Stomach]

Don't do it. Trust me. I was a SFO and now have no job to go to. Wait it out. Let the sea become smoother and then set your sail.

[bringbackthe80s]

It will take 5/7 years minimum to see any sign of recovery. Possibly more. Don’t see any benefit in starting anything now.

[Droste]

Dear TS himo,

We are in the Southeast Asia region, and I understand regional aviation industry well.

1. IMF has predicted Malaysia a good and positive GDP growth next year (in fact, out perform other ASEAN countries). Malaysia will recover and perform well after this pandemic. PM Muhyiddin Yassin has been handling this pandemic well and this helps Muhyiddin's administration scored good points! Hence, Malaysia economy will be stable until GE15 (of course, after pandemic). So, overall job market in Malaysia aviation should be fairly alright.

2. You are a University graduate and that is "crème de la crème"! Your future of getting into Malaysia air-operator is well ahead of those who are holding STPM/SPM. Also, did you know that most Malaysian pilots are non-University graduate? You definitely stand out among those without holding academic Degree.

3. Did you know that pilot training in Malaysia typically takes about 2 years? All air-operators in Malaysia will still be around after you got your CAAM frozen ATPL and by the time you are ready to apply for pilot job.

You are right about the pilot training fees and it will be increased next year, 2021. :)

If you like to enroll, I can recommend you a school in Malaysia to enter. The boss and school in-charge knows me. If I have time, I may bring you to the school to have a chat with the head. Send me your private message (with your Line/WeChat ID).

[streetguy]

Dear TS himo,

We are in the Southeast Asia region, and I understand regional aviation industry well.

1. IMF has predicted Malaysia a good and positive GDP growth next year (in fact, out perform other ASEAN countries). Malaysia will recover and perform well after this pandemic. PM Muhyiddin Yassin has been handling this pandemic well and this helps Muhyiddin's administration scored good points! Hence, Malaysia economy will be stable until GE15 (of course, after pandemic). So, overall job market in Malaysia aviation should be fairly alright.

2. You are a University graduate and that is "crème de la crème"! Your future of getting into Malaysia air-operator is well ahead of those who are holding STPM/SPM. Also, did you know that most Malaysian pilots are non-University graduate? You definitely stand out among those without holding academic Degree.

3. Did you know that pilot training in Malaysia typically takes about 2 years? All air-operators in Malaysia will still be around after you got your CAAM frozen ATPL and by the time you are ready to apply for pilot job.

You are right about the pilot training fees and it will be increased next year, 2021. :)

If you like to enroll, I can recommend you a school in Malaysia to enter. The boss and school in-charge knows me. If I have time, I may bring you to the school to have a chat with the head. Send me your private message (with your Line/WeChat ID).

Dear Himo,

I hope u are wise enough to take this gentlemen's advice with many pinches of salt.

The points mentioned 1 to 3 , in my not so humble opinion, are NOT valid reasons for u to sign up immediately in this current situation. Just bear in mind, after u complete your course , u will be challenged to find an aviation job.

The other previous gentlemen all gave u honest and practical advice in my opinion. Those guys are actual pilots in the aviation industry, not salesperson trying to sell u something and leave u high and dry once u complete your course.

Yes, of course the price for the course will rise next year, so does the price of sugar , flour , iPhone and other commodities. Even then, u shouldn't be pressured to sign up given the current climate (pandemic Covid-19)

I am professional pilot, Captain , operating the very popular Boeing 777 for a legacy airline and I can assure you that a lot of pilots are out of a job at the moment. We are talking about experienced pilots with heavy jet time. So be wise and do yourself a favor and stay put holding your current job for the time being.

[Droste]

I am professional pilot, Captain , operating the very popular Boeing 777 for a legacy airline and I can assure you that a lot of pilots are out of a job at the moment. We are talking about experienced pilots with heavy jet time. So be wise and do yourself a favor and stay put holding your current job for the time being.
You are not a Malaysian and I doubt you understand ASEAN aviation industry.

I am writing based on the job prospective in Malaysia beyond two years NOT current situation

[slate100]

Self sponsored is risky. No one knows where the industry will be in 2 years. There's a reasonable chance it could still be pretty bad for pilot hiring. It will take a long time to mop up the current army of highly experienced unemployed pilots looking for work.

No doubt the flying schools are telling you that Asia will need a zillion pilots over a decade. It's called marketing and sales. They want your money. Hate to break the news, but a lot of flying schools aren't exactly the model of ethics in marketing. From experience, a lot of them are down right scummy.

If you want a glimmer of what you're getting into, take a look at the VietJet 'Pay to Fly' thread, where pilots, including Malaysians, are handing over huge sums of money under the table to dodgy agents to essentially bribe their way into Vietjet.

And if you're determined to do it, my only advice is stay out of debt and cross your fingers the virus goes away very fast. I'm crossing my fingers.

[streetguy]

You are not a Malaysian and I doubt you understand ASEAN aviation industry.

I am writing based on the job prospective in Malaysia beyond two years NOT current situation

Yet another sweeping statement without real information and another example of poorly written accusation and facts.

Anything beyond 2 years is anybody''s guess, what a thing to say. U might as well say the stock market may go UP or Down in 5 years time. Anyone with common sense would have made these kind of statement.

I am a Malaysian, unfortunately for u.

I dare bet my last dollar I am every inch more informed than you will ever be; trying to prey on naive, ill-informed prospective students. Very unprofessional, unethical and irresponsible.

Even if I am not a Malaysian, in this era with the internet and information technology it is very easy to stay informed with the ASEAN industry.

Oh, by the way, before u make another dumbfounded statement, just FYI I have been flying mainly in ASEAN countries for the last 20 years.

[bringbackthe80s]

Yet another sweeping statement without real information and another example of poorly written accusation and facts.

Anything beyond 2 years is anybody''s guess, what a thing to say. U might as well say the stock market may go UP or Down in 5 years time. Anyone with common sense would have made these kind of statement.

I am a Malaysian, unfortunately for u.

I dare bet my last dollar I am every inch more informed than you will ever be; trying to prey on naive, ill-informed prospective students. Very unprofessional, unethical and irresponsible.

Even if I am not a Malaysian, in this era with the internet and information technology it is very easy to stay informed with the ASEAN industry.

Oh, by the way, before u make another dumbfounded statement, just FYI I have been flying mainly in ASEAN countries for the last 20 years.

Nice spelling.

Not much to answer on this thread to be honest, like any experienced airline pilot would tell you, I would never advise to start an atpl course now. You’d most likely have no luck finding a job for many years.
With 9/11 it took 5 years for airlines to really start recruiting again. This is 50 times worse, draw your own conclusions.