Programmes for modular pilots.
 

Hi Guys, I am hoping for some advice on how to work towards securing airline employment. I am a CPL holder with around 300 hours TT. I achieved my CPL and IR via the CTC wings scheme (an integrated programme) some years ago. Due to personal reasons I withdrew from the scheme shortly after achieving my IR. I have since longed to return to flying, I dabbled with the idea of doing a Flight Instructor course but I was put off by the idea of spending around £7, 000 for a small chance of eventually getting a minimum wage job.

Can anyone advise me of any schemes or programmes for someone in my position? Are there any Airline sponsored / mentored schemes that I would be eligible to apply for? Obviously I am willing to undertake selection processes / aptitude tests.

My circumstances may be relevant in any advice that I may receive so here is a brief note about my circumstances: I am 29 years old, I earn £25, 000 PA and I have a mortgage.

Unfortunately, despite your commitment at CTC, no airlines are going to mentor you/sponsor you as the whole point in this is to train you in-line with airlines specific SOP's from day one.

If you want to get in the RHS you need to get a get current (if you're not already) and an MCC under your belt, and apply to the likes of Ryanair, Norwegian, FlyBE.. etc (and those others that take modular guys).

- Is there not an opportunity to rejoin CTC on their AQC course?

Yes there is
CTC ATP - FOR LICENSED PILOTS

Someone in your position will need to get current. You might want to check out a company called Kura avation for the MCC, they will also help you find employment. It's probably as close as you'll get to what I think you are looking for!

Get your MCC/JOC and apply for the Thomas Cook/Iago platinum pilot scheme when it re-opens late spring/early summer. They pay for the TR, base and line training. At least that was the regime on the last intake. Check-out their website. All the best

Thanks for your help guys, I appreciate it. Kura Aviation and the Thomas Cook scheme are food for thought. Given my circumstances, you can understand that just getting current and obtaining an MCC would be a significant outlay for me. Assuming I can afford this however, what are the chances for someone in my position? What is the job market like these days? Are there still over a dozen newly qualified pilots for every RHS job? Does the average newly qualified pilot actually stand a chance?

Things are a lot better than what they were 3 or 4 years back, but there are still no guarantees! There are organisations around like kura, wings alliance that are willing to help modular pilots find employment, I don't think these existed a few years back.

If you can get current, you should try the CTC AQC, kura or wings alliance. If you can complete one of these courses I would say you have a worthy chance of finding employment. Added to this, there are more airlines running schemes or recruitment drives open to fATPLs; Ryanair, jet2, Flybe, BACF, Thomas cook to name a few.

Hi!

I saw you were writing about CTC AQC and other schemes alike. I know it is possible to join these schemes whatever age you are.
But considering you must take the airline screening once the training is completed, do you know if age can be a hindrance to have the job, at this stage, even if coming from the CTC AQC pool?

So? Do you have any answers?
Can the "no matter what age you are to join CTC AQC" be a problem when taking the airline assessments once you are in CTC's pool, if you are not anymore in your 20's?

Age is generally not a problem despite how people speculate that it is. I've heard about people starting their type rating in their early 50s. The only real way that age can go against you is that it gets more difficult to hold on to a Class 1 as you get older, which kind of goes without saying.

Thanks a lot ! Are there any other testimonials?