Current Training Industry

[Okavango]

I was very nearly successful with BA on the cadet pilot scheme many moons ago (5 months before Sept 11th actually). At the time I resolved to save and potentially go down the old self-improver route (modular was possibly along by then, can't remember). I know the employment situation is tough (as it always was), I just wonder how many more integrated schools there are these days and how many more self-funded students there are than before? How has the situation changed in general?

[350Z]

Hi mate, from what I can tell the situation has changed drastically! Most the pilots I actually know are middle aged ex RAF and a couple are thirty something Oxford grads. Nearly everyone is self funded now, the only sponsored scheme that springs to mind is Etihads. BA have currently froze recruitment and in the general scheme of things the aviation industry is currently experiencing a downturn.

FTO wise, in my opinion the most popular Integrated courses are those provided by Oxford Aviation Academy, Flight Training Europe and Cabair College of Air Training. There's shed loads of information floating around regarding those three.

[potkettleblack]

Turn on the kettle, make a cuppa and sit down for the next couple of hours and have a read of the stickies at the top of this thread. Lots and lots has changed since 9/11.

There are no such things as sponsorships anymore. Well not unless you are from the UAE or Hong Kong or can get into Qantas or are willing to give up your life and fly for the military. Those are the only ones that spring to mind anyway.

Its going to cost you a small fortune and at the end of it you will be required to self fund a type rating with no guarantees of a job. You are starting out on a down cycle in the industry with the prospect of many job losses for experienced pilots which will inevitably lead to low timers finding it even harder to get that ellusive first job.

As always timing will be crucial so you will have to polish that crystal ball. Good luck.

[Okavango]

Thanks guys. I'm aware of the lack of sponsorship and current employment problems (which was always a dodgy issue without sponsorship anyway). My main question is whether the number of students has drastically increased? Ten years ago I was aware of Cabair, Oxford, BAe at Prestwick and a few other integrated schools. This CTC thing seems new. What basically seems to have happened is self-sponsorship seems to have become generally accepted as the way in and I'm wondering if there are a lot more graduates these days (and therefore relatively fewer jobs to go round)

[350Z]

Not really sure tbh mate, I would love to see OAA's, FTE's etc intake/graduate figures...I would bet they have seen a significant reduction. I know OAA's future courses aren't as full as they make out

[potkettleblack]

Do a search on here as well as the CAA website. They have tables of licence and rating issues on a year by year basis. Suffice to say there are 1,000's issued each year for the UK alone. Add into the mix the freely transferable nature of the JAA licence and you will be up against many thousands of potential applicants from across Europe for the few jobs that are on offer each year. Statistically you can draw your own conclusions.

[Okavango]

CAA figures

I already had those for 2007 - 1146 CPL's, 264 of which were renewal/revalidations (and 1278 ATPL's). Seems to suggest that about 1000 new professional pilots/year enter the market - is this more or less than the past?