The Forgotten Modular ATPL Student
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If I'm honest - the cadet schemes are astronaut selection level. BA is taking 70 on this intake, likely 5-10,000 will apply.
Now I'm not suggesting you aren't good enough OR "you don't stand a chance". In maths terms, just over 1% of people that apply will get offered (less <1% if towards 10k). For many people, it has taken multiple attempts to get through - there is lots of blogs that confirm this.
Are you going to continue holding out hope for that, or can you start now and plan effectively to make it happen?
Good luck.
Now I'm not suggesting you aren't good enough OR "you don't stand a chance". In maths terms, just over 1% of people that apply will get offered (less <1% if towards 10k). For many people, it has taken multiple attempts to get through - there is lots of blogs that confirm this.
Are you going to continue holding out hope for that, or can you start now and plan effectively to make it happen?
Good luck.
Best of luck too!
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As above, there is lots of schemes available right now - you should be applying now if you have the opportunity to do it. If family or work isn't a blocker to applying to the schemes, I wouldn't suggest waiting / holding off for the "perfect scenario" - it won't happen. If you're serious about doing it, it's never been better in terms of recruitment and opportunity of these schemes.
Don't leave it too late, to when you might have a family, people dependant on your income and actually you can't disappear for 6 months for sunny weather flying (trust me, I know what I'm talking about).
There is nothing wrong with going modular, you just need to accept that you will be paying all of the cost yourself. It seems to be pretty common now that most don't want more then 3 different ATO's, expect 85%+ on ATPLs and first time on IR.
Don't leave it too late, to when you might have a family, people dependant on your income and actually you can't disappear for 6 months for sunny weather flying (trust me, I know what I'm talking about).
There is nothing wrong with going modular, you just need to accept that you will be paying all of the cost yourself. It seems to be pretty common now that most don't want more then 3 different ATO's, expect 85%+ on ATPLs and first time on IR.
If I'm honest - the cadet schemes are astronaut selection level. BA is taking 70 on this intake, likely 5-10,000 will apply.
Now I'm not suggesting you aren't good enough OR "you don't stand a chance". In maths terms, just over 1% of people that apply will get offered (less <1% if towards 10k). For many people, it has taken multiple attempts to get through - there is lots of blogs that confirm this.
Are you going to continue holding out hope for that, or can you start now and plan effectively to make it happen?
Good luck.
Now I'm not suggesting you aren't good enough OR "you don't stand a chance". In maths terms, just over 1% of people that apply will get offered (less <1% if towards 10k). For many people, it has taken multiple attempts to get through - there is lots of blogs that confirm this.
Are you going to continue holding out hope for that, or can you start now and plan effectively to make it happen?
Good luck.
One question worth asking I think is how ATPL theory schools log the 650 hours of study which must be completed for the course. I don't suppose it would be possible for someone who is saving up to buy all of the ATPL theory books, sit no exams (to remain eligible for sponsored programmes) and study the subjects over and over again for a few years so that they memorise as much of it as possible before smashing all of the exams within a timeframe of two or three months?
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If it wasnt, lets take BA... 70 students * 100k ...drop in the ocean vs current profits and scheme ROI.
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I'm going to be putting in for all of the sponsored schemes I'm eligible for as they become available, no family commitments etc. at the moment so I have options.
I faced "astronaut odds" for two out of the last three jobs I've been in, the one which didn't have such odds was an internal promotion. Hopefully the likes of Jet2, Easyjet, Loganair etc. will join the ranks of airlines offering sponsored training and there will be 5-6 opportunities per year to apply. Any sought after job will have plenty of people applying in the internet age.
One question worth asking I think is how ATPL theory schools log the 650 hours of study which must be completed for the course. I don't suppose it would be possible for someone who is saving up to buy all of the ATPL theory books, sit no exams (to remain eligible for sponsored programmes) and study the subjects over and over again for a few years so that they memorise as much of it as possible before smashing all of the exams within a timeframe of two or three months?
I faced "astronaut odds" for two out of the last three jobs I've been in, the one which didn't have such odds was an internal promotion. Hopefully the likes of Jet2, Easyjet, Loganair etc. will join the ranks of airlines offering sponsored training and there will be 5-6 opportunities per year to apply. Any sought after job will have plenty of people applying in the internet age.
One question worth asking I think is how ATPL theory schools log the 650 hours of study which must be completed for the course. I don't suppose it would be possible for someone who is saving up to buy all of the ATPL theory books, sit no exams (to remain eligible for sponsored programmes) and study the subjects over and over again for a few years so that they memorise as much of it as possible before smashing all of the exams within a timeframe of two or three months?
Sit no exams to remain eligible for sponsored positions? Is this for real?! 'Planning' to get a sponsored position is like planning to win the lottery, it isn't going to happen. There is a tried and trusted route to the airlines, and that is working in ground ops while doing a modular CPL/IR over 3-4 years.
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You can have a PPL, but you will be starting the course as a Zero (so fresh). Many if not nearly all of the intakes recently have PPL's and likely had begun hours building. (quick LinkedIn search will help you)
They key requirement is that you must not have started / sat any ATPL exams.
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Airlines that do not charge for TR have the same amount, if not more competition than those cadet programs. The difference being now they'll also demand more from their applicants, as everyone applying will be a qualified pilot.
Not only will you have to go through the same stuff in the selection process as cadets go through ie. logical games, maths physics group tasks etc. but now in addition to that youll have to demonstrate fluency in atpl technical knowledge and be top gun in the simulator checks among other things.
It's just better to get into a funded cadet program imho- the overall requirements are smaller compared to funded TR schemes for straight out of flight school folks.
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It’s been like this for years.
my advice if you are eligible for the cadet schemes do not progress any further on the modular route try to get to the cadet schemes.
if you are stuck in between, instructing is probably the best route.
or - sunk cost fallacy move onto something else and fly for fun
my advice if you are eligible for the cadet schemes do not progress any further on the modular route try to get to the cadet schemes.
if you are stuck in between, instructing is probably the best route.
or - sunk cost fallacy move onto something else and fly for fun
Read the post above. It's a perfect example of the attitude you don't want in an airliner: I'm interested in being a pilot but I don't want to actually work hard for it.
Now consider someone who actually WANTS to be a pilot: they'll do whatever it takes to make it happen and overcome each obstacle one at a time until they reach their goal.
Getting into an airliner for a normal person is a three step process:
1) Get the money.
2) Get the licence.
3) Get the job.
The struggle is not over until you have all three, and they require different skillsets.
Now consider someone who actually WANTS to be a pilot: they'll do whatever it takes to make it happen and overcome each obstacle one at a time until they reach their goal.
Getting into an airliner for a normal person is a three step process:
1) Get the money.
2) Get the licence.
3) Get the job.
The struggle is not over until you have all three, and they require different skillsets.
It’s been like this for years.
my advice if you are eligible for the cadet schemes do not progress any further on the modular route try to get to the cadet schemes.
if you are stuck in between, instructing is probably the best route.
or - sunk cost fallacy move onto something else and fly for fun
my advice if you are eligible for the cadet schemes do not progress any further on the modular route try to get to the cadet schemes.
if you are stuck in between, instructing is probably the best route.
or - sunk cost fallacy move onto something else and fly for fun
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To me it’s clear that modular students are being squeezed out at the moment in favour of whitetail cadets.
I’ve seen plenty of people from integrated schools get roles directly at tui, loganair, aurigny DHL when there are no active campaigns - where these candidates have exam and flight test failures compared to ‘straight a’ on the modular route. EasyJet also taking from
other schools where CAE can’t deliver. The BACF recruitment drive earlier in the year mainly recruited their inexperienced pilots straight from integrated schools, and from my understanding BA Euroflyer are taking a lot more whitetail over NQPP. The airlines also get a nice healthy kickback from the school when they take one of their cadets - how on earth can modular students compete with that?
I get it - these schools entire business model relies on getting their punters into the airlines and have teams dedicated to working with airlines for doing so.
Yes, there’s Ryanair but no good for those of us that have a UK licence.
But where can we modular students go to get experience - the traditional survey or light twin jobs either don’t exist or are looking for 300 hours plus. I don’t think there is anywhere at the moment, those that are recruiting recently (eg 2Excel) astronaut level selection and competition from those making a career out of that kind of flying.
Yes there is instructing. I spoke to my local
flying schools who’ve all got a que of instructors wanting to start, so the investment in the course hardly seems a smart decision unless you want to make a career out of it.
So where is the modular student to go? I’m not sure - maybe I’m missing something or my CV is just not good enough (I’m not convinced that is the case, I’m mid 30s, have a professional career in the airlines and am able to demonstrate the competencies in abundance).
I’ve seen plenty of people from integrated schools get roles directly at tui, loganair, aurigny DHL when there are no active campaigns - where these candidates have exam and flight test failures compared to ‘straight a’ on the modular route. EasyJet also taking from
other schools where CAE can’t deliver. The BACF recruitment drive earlier in the year mainly recruited their inexperienced pilots straight from integrated schools, and from my understanding BA Euroflyer are taking a lot more whitetail over NQPP. The airlines also get a nice healthy kickback from the school when they take one of their cadets - how on earth can modular students compete with that?
I get it - these schools entire business model relies on getting their punters into the airlines and have teams dedicated to working with airlines for doing so.
Yes, there’s Ryanair but no good for those of us that have a UK licence.
But where can we modular students go to get experience - the traditional survey or light twin jobs either don’t exist or are looking for 300 hours plus. I don’t think there is anywhere at the moment, those that are recruiting recently (eg 2Excel) astronaut level selection and competition from those making a career out of that kind of flying.
Yes there is instructing. I spoke to my local
flying schools who’ve all got a que of instructors wanting to start, so the investment in the course hardly seems a smart decision unless you want to make a career out of it.
So where is the modular student to go? I’m not sure - maybe I’m missing something or my CV is just not good enough (I’m not convinced that is the case, I’m mid 30s, have a professional career in the airlines and am able to demonstrate the competencies in abundance).
