A sticky situation!! Any ideas???

[Kash360]

Hi guys, This is my first post even though i have been reading all the posts in this forum for a while. I have a bit of a problem and was wodering if anyone may help. I am currently working as a consultant engineer and wish to carry on with my flying career. I started flying 8 years ago and then stopped. I did my ppl single and multi in the states (FAA). I have now managded to save some money and continue with my studies. I have read that the best thing to do is long distance learning which i will start on the 25th August with bristol ground school. I will be giving up my day job to consetrate on my studies. I have a total of 88 hours and was wondering if my hours would still count or would i need to do them again. I am wanting to become a professional pilot. After my ground school i will be looking at buildng my hours upto 150 and getting my CAA licence. I will then be looking at Oxford for the Waypoint course. Im sure i can get it cheaper but It is Oxford and i think most airlines like to see that you come from a good school. Any suggestions would be greatfull. Aslo sorry if there is spelling mistakes!!!

[colette]

OAT

I think you actually need to do the ATPL groundschool with OAT before you can get onto their waypoint programme, could be wrong but im sure it said on their website a while ago, maybe worth checking that out!

[Kash360]

Thanks for the reply colette. You are right that on the waypoint scheme you need to do the groundschool with OAT. However i ahd spoken to the people at OAT which had said that it was not too important aslong as i had done the ground school. Just trying to reel me in i suppose.

[Re-Heat]

At risk of sounding harsh - please don't take it that way as your motivation is clearly present - sit down and read the sticky threads at the top of the forum, as all the details are there.

Do not consider giving up the day job, embarking upon the distance learning course, and presumably getting into debt, simply based upon "I have read that the best thing to do is long distance learning", and "will then be looking at Oxford for the Waypoint course. Im sure i can get it cheaper but It is Oxford".

If you are spending a few grand on flying, you need a clearer plan and to be more informed before you embark upon what - for many people - is an expensive and fruitless exercise.

You need to visit schools first, assess what suits your lifestyle best, assess whether you have the ability through GAPAN if appropriate (though with 88 hours I am sure you are fine), and understand at a minimum the modular route, costs involved, schools available, and licence issue procedures.

PS - don't worry about spelling mistakes. You are at least asking the right questions!

[rons22]

you are consultant engineer at 25 and started flying at 17. Taht sounds cool.

To qualify for waypoint you must do gound school with OAT as well.

[EpsilonVaz]

During any of my interviews I was not once asked where I trained, and I am now doing my a320 TR. I don't disagree that Oxford is an excellent school, but I went with one of the cheapest schools I could find.

My advice:
DON'T GET PULLED IN BY THE MARKETING

[Adios]

Kash360,

You say you've spoken to the people at OAT and they said doing their ground school is not too important. You then conclude that maybe they are "Just trying to reel me in i suppose."

I fail to understand how you conclude they are trying to reel you in by offering something in contravention of their own policy. You must have spoken to an ill informed receptionist or something because that is pure tosh. They are very clear that they do not waive this policy for anyone.

I'm not trying to convince you to go there, but if your heart remains set on Waypoint, I suggest that you speak to one of their advisors who actually has the authority to enrol you because I am quite certain they will say you must do the ATPL theory with them.

[Kash360]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice guy's. Just wondering do you know what i need to do validate and change my licence to JAA. As i have not flow for 8 years and have a FAA multi engine total time 88 hours. Any help PLEASE!!!

[Leezyjet]

You don't need to change your FAA PPL. You can get checked out again and carry on flying in a G reg on your FAA license to build up your hours, providing you stay in UK airspace. The hours you have will still count, or at least a certain % of them will anyway.

Then just do your CPL/ME/IR and they will be issued as JAA licenses, so from then on you will fly on those, so no need to convert the PPL.

If you are giving up work to do the ATPL ground school, you may as well do it as a residential full time course. Much better than distance learning and struggling by yourself, on a full time course they steer you through the mud so you can concentrate on the stuff you really need to know and it is only a few hundred £ more.

[daria-ox]

You have been given good advice. One really important thing is, don't get pulled in by the market, try and do your training as cheap as you can because in the end you'll end up in the same position.

[jxc]

Hi

yes the integrated way is only a few hundred pounds but you will not be having an income for 6mths and still have bills to be paid beer money fuel etc !

I am about to start distance learning with Bristol groundschool so I still have time to visit my customers etc


JXC

[daria-ox]

' integrated way is only a few hundred pounds '

Are you having a laugh?

[Mercenary Pilot]

try and do your training as cheap as you can because in the end you'll end up in the same position.

daria-ox, actually that's very BAD advice!

ALWAYS go to the best FTO you can afford, there are many crap schools who are willing to take your money and give you awful training. Just because someone has a licence in hand, doesn't mean they are actually any good!

Don't make a decision on price alone. Make a list of FTO's you can afford, visit them, meet the students, chat to the instructors and get a feel for the place. If you find one that suits you then book your course and go there.