Part-time CPL/ME/IR training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Age: 43
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Part-time CPL/ME/IR training
Hey all,
......Thinking about options for the future.
For those of you who have done a part-time CPL and ME/IR courses:
Cirrus
......Thinking about options for the future.
For those of you who have done a part-time CPL and ME/IR courses:
- Where did you undertake your training?
- How did you find it along side work?
- How long did it take you to complete the courses?
- Did you end up doing many more hours than initally thought?
Cirrus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Poole
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It all depends on your experience and ability. If you're a Tornado pilot with 1000+ SEP hours from flying your own Mooney regularly and you've got IMC rating which you've used in anger and recently, and you live near the proposed training venue, then it would be fine.
I did MEP part time and it worked out well. CPL I did in a block and was lucky with aeroplane, instructor and weather, and I was confident with VFR nav and GH.
IR; is a financial, mental, psychological and almost spiritual battle. It requires monastic devotion. I would not advocate trying to do it part time. one cannot serve two masters.
I did MEP part time and it worked out well. CPL I did in a block and was lucky with aeroplane, instructor and weather, and I was confident with VFR nav and GH.
IR; is a financial, mental, psychological and almost spiritual battle. It requires monastic devotion. I would not advocate trying to do it part time. one cannot serve two masters.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did ME/IR/CPL part-time
I undertook a ME/IR/CPL course in the UK on a part-time basis whilst in full-time employment. It worked very well for me - but I would stress that success in this situation probably depends on a lot of personal factors (what worked for me might not work for others).
Each course was completed in minimum hours - but I added an extra 5 hrs to the IR as I had several exams cancelled due to weather and wanted to keep the continuity. All first passes. From start to finish it was approx 6 months.
Key for me was a school that was flexible to my schedule and most importantly, an instructor who was willing to work when I was free - often out of hours. The only time off work was on exam rides.
Take a good look at work life and home life to see if you think you have flexibility to make it work. Look at your local school (you need to be local to the airfield) closely and see how they operate and their attitude to flexibility. It also helps to have had a long term relationship with an instructor as they will go that extra mile for you.
As I say - it worked for me and I got the bulk of my high-cost training out of the way whilst still having an income. I'll try and keep earning money until the market improves - then make the break if I can.
PS - more details on school available via PM for those interested.
GSS
Each course was completed in minimum hours - but I added an extra 5 hrs to the IR as I had several exams cancelled due to weather and wanted to keep the continuity. All first passes. From start to finish it was approx 6 months.
Key for me was a school that was flexible to my schedule and most importantly, an instructor who was willing to work when I was free - often out of hours. The only time off work was on exam rides.
Take a good look at work life and home life to see if you think you have flexibility to make it work. Look at your local school (you need to be local to the airfield) closely and see how they operate and their attitude to flexibility. It also helps to have had a long term relationship with an instructor as they will go that extra mile for you.
As I say - it worked for me and I got the bulk of my high-cost training out of the way whilst still having an income. I'll try and keep earning money until the market improves - then make the break if I can.
PS - more details on school available via PM for those interested.
GSS
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Midlands
Age: 50
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cirrus,
I completed a ME/CPL part time and am going through the IR part time.
I would agree with most of the sentiments already posted.
The biggest single issue is ensuring that your chosen training provider can meet your time table. I work shifts and so train on my days off during week days. In doing so my school can more readily schedule me in than weekends or evenings, however some set ups can even accomodate that!
Using a local training base makes it easier to get the most out of each day you are training.
My CPL was a first series pass in minimum hours and £500 under my intial budgeted cost. However I worked exceptionaly hard for that and I would not like people to assume that that is the norm, it is simply what I achieved. Likewise, that 28 hour course was spread over 3 1/2 months so whilst not an excessively long time, currency was an issue and it is clearly somewhat longer than 6 weeks or so for full time. In my defence there was a 2 week delay due to technical problems with the multi engine aircraft (DA42's) and a backlog of students.
How did I find it alongside work? All consuming.
You end up with a full time paid job of 40 hours a week and virtually every day off becomes another 8 to 10 hour working day. If you are anything like me then you will find you have no free time working and training at the same time. Add in family and kids and it gets even worse.
However, the upside is that retaining your full time job, and extending the time taken to train can only be a good thing in the current climate.
Lastly, the most important part is to foster and maintain a good relationship with your training provider. The biggest and fanciest may not be the most flexible to you needs, and there is a real risk that the reduced currency will incur significant increases in hours and therefore cash required.
Regards,
Obs
I completed a ME/CPL part time and am going through the IR part time.
I would agree with most of the sentiments already posted.
The biggest single issue is ensuring that your chosen training provider can meet your time table. I work shifts and so train on my days off during week days. In doing so my school can more readily schedule me in than weekends or evenings, however some set ups can even accomodate that!
Using a local training base makes it easier to get the most out of each day you are training.
My CPL was a first series pass in minimum hours and £500 under my intial budgeted cost. However I worked exceptionaly hard for that and I would not like people to assume that that is the norm, it is simply what I achieved. Likewise, that 28 hour course was spread over 3 1/2 months so whilst not an excessively long time, currency was an issue and it is clearly somewhat longer than 6 weeks or so for full time. In my defence there was a 2 week delay due to technical problems with the multi engine aircraft (DA42's) and a backlog of students.
How did I find it alongside work? All consuming.
You end up with a full time paid job of 40 hours a week and virtually every day off becomes another 8 to 10 hour working day. If you are anything like me then you will find you have no free time working and training at the same time. Add in family and kids and it gets even worse.
However, the upside is that retaining your full time job, and extending the time taken to train can only be a good thing in the current climate.
Lastly, the most important part is to foster and maintain a good relationship with your training provider. The biggest and fanciest may not be the most flexible to you needs, and there is a real risk that the reduced currency will incur significant increases in hours and therefore cash required.
Regards,
Obs
