CAA UK - Modular PPL to CPL training
 

I'm currently about to start my flight training to become a commercial pilot via the modular route. I have already completed my 13 ATPL examinations hence I only need to worry about the practical flying side. I was wondering if there are any issues / complications if I undergone my PPL training at one school then decided to go to another school later for my adv training (CPL)?

Aside from the general proficiency and skill checks when I go to the new school. Do airlines look at this as an issue? Would it affect my job prospects in the future? Are there any other considerations I need to be mindful of?

Thanks!

Where did you do your PPL? How much more training can you do there? It looks neater going to fewer schools but it shouldn't matter - that's the whole point of modular. Some airlines have a three-school limit but I think that's more of a filter to keep the numbers down. Ultimately they only know what you tell them on your CV. Personally if I went to 6 different schools I would only mention the ones that matter: CPL, IR and MCC.

I've not even started yet, currently deciding on the school. My plan was to do PPL in one school then advance training in another.
I was told that hour building doesn't count since its not "training" so ultimately I would only have 2 schools in my books by the end of training.
Was curious if this would affect me during my training (going from one school for PPL to another for IR, CPL etc.) and also at the end in terms of airlines.

I have definitely heard some people on the modular route who firmly believe that there's a maximum number of schools an airline employer wants to see on your CV. I've not seen any hard evidence of that myself, so suspect that if true at-all, it's probably just a small number of airlines.

If you do have target airlines, I'd suggest checking their recruitment policies to play safe, but it is hopefully a non-issue.

How did you do the ATPL exams without a PPL? Unless things have changed since I did mine in the late 2000s, you had to have a PPL before you could be accepted on a professional groundschool course.

G

My suspicion too, hence my question. Sounds like we have a dreamer.

I understand the suspicion since acquiring PPL first is the traditional route.
Let me explain, I was initially part of an integrate school but due to "circumstances"; I have left them to pursue the training modularly. However, during my time with the school; I already completed my ATPL examinations first hence why even when I leave, I get to keep them with me. For Integrated schools, PPL / practical training is incorporated within the course so it lets people bypass the traditional route which is acquiring PPL first. Its basically a loophole so to speak.
This is also the reason why I created this post so I can ask and make sure I don't do anything that could make things more "difficult" for me or hinder my chances at the end.

I would say that it can only become an issue if you make it one. If you have good reasons for wanting to do the PPL bit at one school and the rest at another, I'm sure you'll be able to explain that to whoever asks. They may ask about the circumstances of you leaving the integrated school, but again, have the story ready to explain. In the end, if you have the paperwork and experience they're after, as long as you did not scrape past the exams with the bare minimums needed or used up many extra attempts at each practical exam, you should be what they're looking for.

Silly thought, why not go to one school to do the modular bits in sequence? It might make things easier on you as you would be familiar with teaching styles, instructors, the aircraft and the procedures.

Absolutely, thank you for that insight! Ill keep that in mind going forward.

Your logic is 100% valid and that's actually what everyone (inc. myself) have said but the main reason / concern is actually "financial" related. Especially with the current climate with rentals, nowhere is cheap. Even renting a bedroom and lodging in someone's house is around 600 - 700pcm! PPL takes around 3 - 4 months so I would be spend almost £3000 purely on rent alone and that's not including me spending on food etc.
I have relatives who live down south just outside London who are close to an aviation school hence why my plan was to just stay with them whilst I do my PPL then hour build somewhere (in UK or abroad - will figure out nearer the time) and then go / come back to the 2nd school for my advance stages of training right until the end. This method would save me quite a bit of money even though as you said, going to one school and do them in sequence would be the most ideal way!
I am still considering what to do :ugh:

BA NQPP states a max of three schools as well as 85% in ATPLs...

Expected from UKs flag carrier, I think most airlines nowadays require 85% in ATPLs before they would even look at your CV.
From what I've heard, that only matters when you're trying to "get in" as your first job straight out of training. Any subsequent airline jobs afterwards don't really care as long as you have the flight hours.