To get a PPL or not to get a PPL
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To get a PPL or not to get a PPL
Hi everyone
i will start by saying sorry if this has already been disscussed but the search did not turn up anything useful.
I am just about to start my A levels and i have been offered the chance of applying to GAPAN for a fixed wing PPL scholarship. Would already having a PPL make me more attractive to people like CTC wings, airlines ect or am i right in being told its better to go in fresh with the odd hour here and there?
I also want to ask wether looking long term (about 10 years) you think that the industry will start providing more scholarship schemes ect to people who have the talents and skills to be a pilot but just not the money.
i will start by saying sorry if this has already been disscussed but the search did not turn up anything useful.
I am just about to start my A levels and i have been offered the chance of applying to GAPAN for a fixed wing PPL scholarship. Would already having a PPL make me more attractive to people like CTC wings, airlines ect or am i right in being told its better to go in fresh with the odd hour here and there?
I also want to ask wether looking long term (about 10 years) you think that the industry will start providing more scholarship schemes ect to people who have the talents and skills to be a pilot but just not the money.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Hi matt, I'm in a similar position to you, and would like to give my two pennies. I have spoken to many many many many many people about this, so it's really a synopsis of what I have been told.
With regards to the PPL, people like CTC require you coplete the whole course with them, so it would just be going over what you have already done. However, if you do decide to go modular, starting training now could be of help to you.
As to airlines, you have more hours, but in a single engine PPL training envirnoment, which will be around 45 hours, so not a huge difference their either. Although, one problem you may have is that you may learn bad habits during your PPL training with other instructors, so perhaps just going to solo is a better idea.
Also as for the GAPAN scholarship, you should definately apply! If it means free flying, why not!
As for your long term scholarship idea, IMO these are long gone. The best you're gonna get now is the MPL scheme, 30K bonded, like easyjet and flybe. These are extermely competitive by the way.
Unfortunately flying these days has become all about money, people are willing to pay 120K plus to get into the RHS of a jet, so its difficult for people without the money to flash to get the first job relatively quickly. This of course is a generalisation, some modular training students have great luck.
With regards to the PPL, people like CTC require you coplete the whole course with them, so it would just be going over what you have already done. However, if you do decide to go modular, starting training now could be of help to you.
As to airlines, you have more hours, but in a single engine PPL training envirnoment, which will be around 45 hours, so not a huge difference their either. Although, one problem you may have is that you may learn bad habits during your PPL training with other instructors, so perhaps just going to solo is a better idea.
Also as for the GAPAN scholarship, you should definately apply! If it means free flying, why not!
As for your long term scholarship idea, IMO these are long gone. The best you're gonna get now is the MPL scheme, 30K bonded, like easyjet and flybe. These are extermely competitive by the way.
Unfortunately flying these days has become all about money, people are willing to pay 120K plus to get into the RHS of a jet, so its difficult for people without the money to flash to get the first job relatively quickly. This of course is a generalisation, some modular training students have great luck.
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MAT,
Firstly getting a GAPAN scholarship will do you no harm, GAPAN is well respected and will look good on your CV for the future as a professional pilot. GAPAN also do a ATPL scheme too, so it might be worth looking into that.
Unless there is a severe shortage of pilots, I would think it is highly unlikely that airlines will ever do full or part sponsorships again.
With regard to the airlines, they would not really be interested in where you did your PPL. All they are interested in, is do you have the professional licences required to do the job, and do you have the attributes in your personality to fit into their airline.
One thing you will find maybe a little later on, is the hard part of all this is getting your foot in the door. This sometimes takes time, but the wait is worth it.
All the best mate.
Firstly getting a GAPAN scholarship will do you no harm, GAPAN is well respected and will look good on your CV for the future as a professional pilot. GAPAN also do a ATPL scheme too, so it might be worth looking into that.
Unless there is a severe shortage of pilots, I would think it is highly unlikely that airlines will ever do full or part sponsorships again.
With regard to the airlines, they would not really be interested in where you did your PPL. All they are interested in, is do you have the professional licences required to do the job, and do you have the attributes in your personality to fit into their airline.
One thing you will find maybe a little later on, is the hard part of all this is getting your foot in the door. This sometimes takes time, but the wait is worth it.
All the best mate.
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I disagree with one of the above points. If you have the opportunity to get a PPL paid for then go for it an snatch it up or someone else will, these sorts of scholarships may not be around forever. Summer holidays are not to far away if you're at college and you'll be ale to get plenty of flyinbg in then. (Obviously this depends on when you would be able to do the scholarship).
As to CTC, Oxford Aviation and the like having a PPL can result in up to 40 hours off of the training course. Potentially saving you money, or you could go over the same stuff again, nailing it because you know what to expect and ending up top of the pile for airline interviews. Either way its win win. The forty hours off is stipulated in the LASORS publication. Go for it!
As to CTC, Oxford Aviation and the like having a PPL can result in up to 40 hours off of the training course. Potentially saving you money, or you could go over the same stuff again, nailing it because you know what to expect and ending up top of the pile for airline interviews. Either way its win win. The forty hours off is stipulated in the LASORS publication. Go for it!
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The advice isn't entirely correct.
Firstly, go for the PPL scholarship. Everything to gain and nothing to lose!
Secondly, CTC run their wings courses with a mixture of people who have no flying experience at all, and people who have PPL's and some experience. Although they require you to complete a "foundation course" as the initial part of the flying phase, this course is an expanded PPL course. It is around 90 hours in total. However people with PPL's, recency and some experience are likely (subject to individual assesment) to be given a credit to the flying time required for the flying foundation course.
Airlines won't care. However if you are referring to possible cadet schemes in conjunction with an airline, then yes a PPL might very well show a strong desire and motivation for a career in aviation. Either way it can't hurt. The only cautionary note here, is that some programmes have set a maximum level of flying time they will consider for entry to certain schemes.
As to your last point. No I really don't think they will. What is more likely, is that you will see an expansion of the current cadet programmes. Investment and expansion plans being set down now, are all gearing up for this being increasingly the case in the future. However I do believe that at some point in that time period, you will see an increase in the levels of experience required for airline entry. The current focus on MPL schemes would suggest rather the reverse, however I can envisage an overall increase to all integrated schemes requirements for approved cadet programmes, coupled with the need to hold a full ATPL for modular / general entry. However that is simply my opinion through my own crystal ball.
Firstly, go for the PPL scholarship. Everything to gain and nothing to lose!
Secondly, CTC run their wings courses with a mixture of people who have no flying experience at all, and people who have PPL's and some experience. Although they require you to complete a "foundation course" as the initial part of the flying phase, this course is an expanded PPL course. It is around 90 hours in total. However people with PPL's, recency and some experience are likely (subject to individual assesment) to be given a credit to the flying time required for the flying foundation course.
Airlines won't care. However if you are referring to possible cadet schemes in conjunction with an airline, then yes a PPL might very well show a strong desire and motivation for a career in aviation. Either way it can't hurt. The only cautionary note here, is that some programmes have set a maximum level of flying time they will consider for entry to certain schemes.
As to your last point. No I really don't think they will. What is more likely, is that you will see an expansion of the current cadet programmes. Investment and expansion plans being set down now, are all gearing up for this being increasingly the case in the future. However I do believe that at some point in that time period, you will see an increase in the levels of experience required for airline entry. The current focus on MPL schemes would suggest rather the reverse, however I can envisage an overall increase to all integrated schemes requirements for approved cadet programmes, coupled with the need to hold a full ATPL for modular / general entry. However that is simply my opinion through my own crystal ball.
