Modular Path - Advice
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: ballymoney
Age: 42
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KAEDYN
I'm doing the exact same thing as you're planning to do only i'm continuing to work (self employed so i can get away a bit). I had always planned to go integrated but with the down turn in the past few years i thought being ATPL'd up 2011/2012 and no debt would be the smarter move. I have almost my PPL finished and from there plan to do my night and IMC. I'll then head to the states for a couple of weeks and see about some hour building.
Before i even took my first lesson tho i went to gatwick to get my class 1 medical, i was sure i was going to pass it but no point spending thousands before you're told you've passed!!
I'm doing the exact same thing as you're planning to do only i'm continuing to work (self employed so i can get away a bit). I had always planned to go integrated but with the down turn in the past few years i thought being ATPL'd up 2011/2012 and no debt would be the smarter move. I have almost my PPL finished and from there plan to do my night and IMC. I'll then head to the states for a couple of weeks and see about some hour building.
Before i even took my first lesson tho i went to gatwick to get my class 1 medical, i was sure i was going to pass it but no point spending thousands before you're told you've passed!!
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: london
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Thanks for all the info guys.
Looks like the general consensus on this forum (this thread and others) is that becoming a pilot is really not a great idea. Especially if you have skills that your already good at, one might aswel improve those and keep the flying as a hobby.
To be honest hearing it from some professionals is very useful. Maybe going back into finance isnt that bad of an idea after having a break from it all.
Thanks again.
Looks like the general consensus on this forum (this thread and others) is that becoming a pilot is really not a great idea. Especially if you have skills that your already good at, one might aswel improve those and keep the flying as a hobby.
To be honest hearing it from some professionals is very useful. Maybe going back into finance isnt that bad of an idea after having a break from it all.
Thanks again.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South Wales
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Kaedyn, it seems you've been told the same as me.
From speaking to ex-airline (and current) pilots at various airfields there are ex-pilots saying "It's not what is was" and experienced current pilots can't wait to retire and can't see why anybody would blow £100k or more to join the queue to 'possibly' get a job (there is no guarantee).
At least half of the pilots I have spoken to have said concentrate on my IT and excel in it. Earn good money (enough to buy a share in a plane or a small permit aircraft) and fly it when I want and where I want. 9-5 means I'll see my kids grow up and spend my weekends with friends and family.
I must say, with so many pilots giving me this advice would I be ignorant to ignore it?
A senior java / C++ / C# / .Net / developer can earn £50k pa which isn't half of what a Captain can earn LH with a flag carrier airline but the risks are much less. Consider spending £50k on modular training to fATPL, £25k on a Type Rating and then an additional amount on line training only to start on a wage of £22k pa.
At 35 I'll like to have 2 kids (I know the other half does), be married and settled with a good quality of life. With the industry the way it is at the moment I really can't see the light at the end of the tunnel
From speaking to ex-airline (and current) pilots at various airfields there are ex-pilots saying "It's not what is was" and experienced current pilots can't wait to retire and can't see why anybody would blow £100k or more to join the queue to 'possibly' get a job (there is no guarantee).
At least half of the pilots I have spoken to have said concentrate on my IT and excel in it. Earn good money (enough to buy a share in a plane or a small permit aircraft) and fly it when I want and where I want. 9-5 means I'll see my kids grow up and spend my weekends with friends and family.
I must say, with so many pilots giving me this advice would I be ignorant to ignore it?
A senior java / C++ / C# / .Net / developer can earn £50k pa which isn't half of what a Captain can earn LH with a flag carrier airline but the risks are much less. Consider spending £50k on modular training to fATPL, £25k on a Type Rating and then an additional amount on line training only to start on a wage of £22k pa.
At 35 I'll like to have 2 kids (I know the other half does), be married and settled with a good quality of life. With the industry the way it is at the moment I really can't see the light at the end of the tunnel
