Stapleford
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Stapleford - 0 to fATPL or PPL
Hi every1,
Ive just started out researching into the different routes i can obtain a pilots licence. Ideally I wanna end up being a commerical pilot, however, the training fees are currently preventing me from doing so. So ive noticed that Stapleford offer an interest free PPL course. Would you guys reccommmend I do this 1st, then poss. go onto the full course, so it breaks the payment up a bit, or what are my other options. Any adivce would be appreciated, u can either pm me or reply on this post.
Cheers
Ali
Ive just started out researching into the different routes i can obtain a pilots licence. Ideally I wanna end up being a commerical pilot, however, the training fees are currently preventing me from doing so. So ive noticed that Stapleford offer an interest free PPL course. Would you guys reccommmend I do this 1st, then poss. go onto the full course, so it breaks the payment up a bit, or what are my other options. Any adivce would be appreciated, u can either pm me or reply on this post.
Cheers
Ali
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Hi Ali,
I believe this to be a personal choice and it totally depends upon your personal circumstances.
I am a few years older than you but i remember when i was 22, i had just graduated from university with absolutly no money. Like you i was thinking about a loan but personally i could not stand the thought of being in debt so i decided the best approach for me was to work for 5-6 years.
I have just done that and i have saved enough money for the course at stapleford and a type rating. Handing in my notice to my current empoyer was the best thing i have ever done and it felt great.
I personally believe there is no rush to get into aviation especially if it potentially will put you into the red. Go and work, get some life experience and you will be better off for it.
+Rock on
+PHS
P.s, have you looked into CTC or one of the OAT/FTE schemes? ...
I believe this to be a personal choice and it totally depends upon your personal circumstances.
I am a few years older than you but i remember when i was 22, i had just graduated from university with absolutly no money. Like you i was thinking about a loan but personally i could not stand the thought of being in debt so i decided the best approach for me was to work for 5-6 years.
I have just done that and i have saved enough money for the course at stapleford and a type rating. Handing in my notice to my current empoyer was the best thing i have ever done and it felt great.
I personally believe there is no rush to get into aviation especially if it potentially will put you into the red. Go and work, get some life experience and you will be better off for it.
+Rock on
+PHS
P.s, have you looked into CTC or one of the OAT/FTE schemes? ...
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Have you thought about a mixture of both? And depending on where your located, hour building in the UK doesn't have to be that expensive. I currently pay £110 a month and £60 per hour wet on a brand new ish 172 based at Barton.
I found when I finished my PPL out in Florida there seemed to be a lot of nothing around. I was told which airfields I could do and what I couldn't and that was slightly restrictive. In the UK I fly where I want - i've just come back from flying to Reus for a few days and I regularly gain experience flying in France - the bonus being I fly straight through the SE of England and over Stapleford en route
Horgy
I found when I finished my PPL out in Florida there seemed to be a lot of nothing around. I was told which airfields I could do and what I couldn't and that was slightly restrictive. In the UK I fly where I want - i've just come back from flying to Reus for a few days and I regularly gain experience flying in France - the bonus being I fly straight through the SE of England and over Stapleford en route
Horgy
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Having completed my training at Stapleford and most of my hours building I would agree with littco and to save some hours prior to commencing CPL. I was introduced to my CPL instructor who guided me through my hours building and also prepared me for my CPL training by encouraging me to do some circuit details, general handling and good navigation technique BEFORE commencing my CPL rather than just burning hours and gaining lots of bad habits. I am very grateful for the experience as I finished my CPL training in minimum hours and with a first time pass.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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BenAek,
How in the slightest is that narrow minded! and hardly a constructive comment! And if you read the rest of my post you will see I did the majority of my HB in the USA and it certainly didn't affect my CPL training..
Not quite sure what you're point is
How in the slightest is that narrow minded! and hardly a constructive comment! And if you read the rest of my post you will see I did the majority of my HB in the USA and it certainly didn't affect my CPL training..
Not quite sure what you're point is
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hey lads,
thanks for the replies.what would ye think about doing an imc as part of the hourbuilding, would it help for the cpl and its about 17 hours ,half the hours i need .i have decided that i want to do my 40 hours of hb in the uk.i dont think i would save anything by going abroad ,by the time i pay for flights ,accommodation and other travel expenses. opinions appreciated.
cheers macflea
thanks for the replies.what would ye think about doing an imc as part of the hourbuilding, would it help for the cpl and its about 17 hours ,half the hours i need .i have decided that i want to do my 40 hours of hb in the uk.i dont think i would save anything by going abroad ,by the time i pay for flights ,accommodation and other travel expenses. opinions appreciated.
cheers macflea
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macflea,
although I can't speak from personal experience, i know a lot of guys who have done their IMC as part of their hour building and they said it was a very worthwhile license to have.
I'd take a moment and actually tot up how much the difference between hour building is abroad. Bearing in mind you can get a Cessna 150 for £35 an hour wet and a 172 for not much more, even when you take transport and accomodation into account you can still save money!
Horgy
although I can't speak from personal experience, i know a lot of guys who have done their IMC as part of their hour building and they said it was a very worthwhile license to have.
I'd take a moment and actually tot up how much the difference between hour building is abroad. Bearing in mind you can get a Cessna 150 for £35 an hour wet and a 172 for not much more, even when you take transport and accomodation into account you can still save money!
Horgy
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Anyone go to the Open Day last Saturday? If so, what were your thoughts.
Was quite surprised to see the number of aircraft they owned - I thought they had a lot less.
As for the talks, Bond Aviation seemed to think that a type rating was pretty much a necessity to have a good chance of a job...
Although it makes little difference to the flying, I thought new accommodation block was amazing.
Was quite surprised to see the number of aircraft they owned - I thought they had a lot less.
As for the talks, Bond Aviation seemed to think that a type rating was pretty much a necessity to have a good chance of a job...
Although it makes little difference to the flying, I thought new accommodation block was amazing.
Join Date: May 2001
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As for the talks, Bond Aviation seemed to think that a type rating was pretty much a necessity to have a good chance of a job...
Nothing like a bit of unbiased advice.
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I went, and was considerably impressed. Plus having a jolly for free on the sims was fun as well
I've booked to start in June for my CPL IR. I remain skeptical about Bond but it's something i'm considering - in my opinion it's not something worth thinking about until your into your IR and contemplating the MCC!
Horgy
I've booked to start in June for my CPL IR. I remain skeptical about Bond but it's something i'm considering - in my opinion it's not something worth thinking about until your into your IR and contemplating the MCC!
Horgy
Join Date: Sep 2001
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No, I think most people would be intelligent enough to seek advice from sources OTHER than the salesman about whether or not the TR course is worth doing.
I'm booked in for CPL/IR in mid-May so I guess I shall see you there.
I'm booked in for CPL/IR in mid-May so I guess I shall see you there.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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fAPTL via Integrated or fATPL with a TR via Modular at Stapleford?
Hi all - this is my first posting on here and it's a really important one for me!
I am hoping that you guys and girls will be able to give me some ssistance and words of advice please?
Briefly, I am currently 11 hours into training towards my PPL(A) and I have been bitten by the proverbial bug! So I am looking into taking my training further and going for my fATPL. I am 37, so I appreciate that I have to do something quickly and realise that I will have to leave a comfortable, fairly well paid job to go full time.
I have already done a fair amount of research and I have searched this forum and found plenty of good stuff regarding Integrated, Modular and Stapleford. Obviously I have been investigating what is best for my personal set of circumstances as opposed to what might be considered the best for someone generally. I appreciate that the pros and cons of the Integrated and Modular routes, so I don't wish to go over old ground.
My question that I would be very grateful to receive your advice on is what is considered the most desirable to a potential employer, given that both routes cost roughly the same?
An fATPL obtained via an Integrated course or an fATPL with all training carried out at Stapleford Flight Centre (possibly minus the PPL) and a Type Rating?
This isn't meant to be the perennial debate regarding which route is best, but I'm looking for advice on what is the best end product? So I would be very grateful to hear what people think regarding having an fAPTL via the Integrated route or an fATPL with a Type Rating via Modular at Stapleford?
Many thanks for your help.
I am hoping that you guys and girls will be able to give me some ssistance and words of advice please?
Briefly, I am currently 11 hours into training towards my PPL(A) and I have been bitten by the proverbial bug! So I am looking into taking my training further and going for my fATPL. I am 37, so I appreciate that I have to do something quickly and realise that I will have to leave a comfortable, fairly well paid job to go full time.
I have already done a fair amount of research and I have searched this forum and found plenty of good stuff regarding Integrated, Modular and Stapleford. Obviously I have been investigating what is best for my personal set of circumstances as opposed to what might be considered the best for someone generally. I appreciate that the pros and cons of the Integrated and Modular routes, so I don't wish to go over old ground.
My question that I would be very grateful to receive your advice on is what is considered the most desirable to a potential employer, given that both routes cost roughly the same?
An fATPL obtained via an Integrated course or an fATPL with all training carried out at Stapleford Flight Centre (possibly minus the PPL) and a Type Rating?
This isn't meant to be the perennial debate regarding which route is best, but I'm looking for advice on what is the best end product? So I would be very grateful to hear what people think regarding having an fAPTL via the Integrated route or an fATPL with a Type Rating via Modular at Stapleford?
Many thanks for your help.
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It's impossible to tell you which is the best to do. To give an objective opinion as to which mode is best, one would have to have completed both an integrated and modular course. As far as I know, nobody has been that stoopid. However, it doesn't matter which route you go, you still have to pass the same skill tests and the licence issued is identical irrespective of which route you trained.
Giving my tuppence worth. The integrated schools are very good at marketing blurb, and it appears that they do get you a few interviews with airlines. However, at your age, you are up against guys at interview from the same school, but are 15 years younger. Unfortunatly, older people are (wrongly) labelled a training risk and shunned over younger applicants.
So, any advantage you gain by attending an integrated school will be lost.
I maybe wrong and you may impress the socks of the interviewer and get the job, but I am trying to be realistic.
In your shoes, I would go for the modular route, but dont be hasty to start shelling out for the type ratings. Try and get into the TP operators first. Turbo prop carriers seem to prefer people in their 30's as an older candidate is seen as more stable and less likely to scarper off to easyjet as soon as they hit 500 hours multicrew.
Oh, and before you do any of this, get your class one sorted. This is the biggest stopper of dreams.
Giving my tuppence worth. The integrated schools are very good at marketing blurb, and it appears that they do get you a few interviews with airlines. However, at your age, you are up against guys at interview from the same school, but are 15 years younger. Unfortunatly, older people are (wrongly) labelled a training risk and shunned over younger applicants.
So, any advantage you gain by attending an integrated school will be lost.
I maybe wrong and you may impress the socks of the interviewer and get the job, but I am trying to be realistic.
In your shoes, I would go for the modular route, but dont be hasty to start shelling out for the type ratings. Try and get into the TP operators first. Turbo prop carriers seem to prefer people in their 30's as an older candidate is seen as more stable and less likely to scarper off to easyjet as soon as they hit 500 hours multicrew.
Oh, and before you do any of this, get your class one sorted. This is the biggest stopper of dreams.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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GusHoneybun
Many thanks for taking the time to reply and your 'tuppence worth' is very much appreciated.
Your comments regarding integrated, getting interviews set up by the school and competing against guys 15 years younger than me is a very good point and one in all honesty, that I hadn't thought through.
Whilst I would hope that I would come over well in an interview, it is a very good point and would negate the attraction that an integrated school holds in that respect.
No, I wouldn't be hasty in planning on shelling out for a TR unless it became necessary due to my age and I appreciate that paying for TRs is a thorny subject in itself. I was just trying to get into perspective what you can get for your money between the two different routes.
No, jets definitely wouldn't be the 'be all and end all' for me and I would be equally as ecstatic to land a job on either a jet or a TP (like most people no doubt). The TP route is obviously appealing as although a career of 20 years is still a long time, I would think it would offer more of a chance to become a senior employee than perhaps the jet route? Although in that regard, I am probably the least qualified on the entire forum to make statement!
That's a very good point regarding the Class 1 Medical. Fortunately I managed to glean that piece of information from the forum and passed my Class 1 a few weeks ago.
Thanks again for your help.
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Stapleford?
Does anyone else have any advice to add? Or ........
Is Stapleford still considered a good choice for Modular? Or having just seen a recent post, is Bristol Flying Centre the one to go for?
Obviously I appreciate that nobody will have done their training at both to be able to give exact opinions on both, but any advice on either would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Is Stapleford still considered a good choice for Modular? Or having just seen a recent post, is Bristol Flying Centre the one to go for?
Obviously I appreciate that nobody will have done their training at both to be able to give exact opinions on both, but any advice on either would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Join Date: Oct 2006
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I'm off to Bristol FC, know a few lads who went to Stapleford and thay said to avoid it at all costs.
Of course I am just joking, Stapleford has an incredibly good rep and the fellas i know that went there couldn't reccommmended it highly enough.
Visit a few places and see what floats your boat, or lifts your wing as the case may be.
37 isn't old, I've ponied chicks waaaaaaay older than that.
Regards
CR
Of course I am just joking, Stapleford has an incredibly good rep and the fellas i know that went there couldn't reccommmended it highly enough.
Visit a few places and see what floats your boat, or lifts your wing as the case may be.
37 isn't old, I've ponied chicks waaaaaaay older than that.
Regards
CR
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Captain Rossco
Cheers for your reply ..... you had me going there for a moment - very funny!!
Yes, I think SFC and BFC are the two that I am going to take a look at and unless something goes horribly wrong, go for one of them. Stapleford has the edge over BFC from a personal point of view as its a 2 hour drive instead of 5 hours.
But if BFC is better, then I would go for it anyway.
Thanks for your help Captain!
Yes, I think SFC and BFC are the two that I am going to take a look at and unless something goes horribly wrong, go for one of them. Stapleford has the edge over BFC from a personal point of view as its a 2 hour drive instead of 5 hours.
But if BFC is better, then I would go for it anyway.
Thanks for your help Captain!
Stapleford's alright and has good instructors. The owners need to spend some of the profits on the school and the aircraft rather than on their horses though...
In any case, I wouldn't want to be driving 5 hours each way to BFC. Is that even feasible? I suppose not. I drive an hour and a quarter to where I train and that's enough! Think of all the occasions you'll turn up for lessons only to be told they're cancelled due to the weather...
Though I'm younger than you, I gave up a lucrative career to throw money at flying. I don't regret a penny of it. But bear in mind that you will be spending £45k and not earning for 2 years or more.
Fortunately I have lovely wife who I send out to work!
In any case, I wouldn't want to be driving 5 hours each way to BFC. Is that even feasible? I suppose not. I drive an hour and a quarter to where I train and that's enough! Think of all the occasions you'll turn up for lessons only to be told they're cancelled due to the weather...
Though I'm younger than you, I gave up a lucrative career to throw money at flying. I don't regret a penny of it. But bear in mind that you will be spending £45k and not earning for 2 years or more.
Fortunately I have lovely wife who I send out to work!