Irish Newbie looking for help

[IrishJason]

Hi everybody. my name is jason and im from ireland ( waterford ) 2 weeks ago i attended an open day run by JAA Pilot Flight Training - Pilot Training College Ireland - professional pilot courses honours BSc degree level . on the 12th of april i have my test too see if i have what it takes too be a pilot,I always have had a massive interest in becomming a pilot and airplains in general but this is all new too me so i would love too get some onfo or experence from maybe euro pilots. I have so far no experence bar a flight simulator and handeling test ive done but i will be going ahead with the course if i can raise the money too do so. Ill be looking at doing the 14 month course at around €90k. sorry about the lack of info in the post. im just rushed in work at the min, ill post clearer later



thanks a mill

jason

[Whirlygig]

Jason, you haven't actually said what help you would like. You're not the first, you won't be the last ... please read the forum and threads contained therein, then come back with something more specific.

Cheers

Whirls

[IrishJason]

Sorry for that, what im looking for really is job prospects, i went through the fourm a small bit and alot of people seem too think its alot of who ya know and not what ya know, say for instance some pilots with hundreds of hours have no where too go now after putting massive hours with a such carrier. With aer lingus the way it is now and ryanair the only people hire'in is there much hope for a 22 year old going into the industry. and im only going through the site now but is the only way really going on a course that cost upwards of €90k or how do people fund this, i have been looking into this side alright so ill keep posted on how this goes. and finally how is the training as such ? is it hard study ? is ther alot of theory + maths and the like. im more of a hands on guy than a book guy but saying that i can do study when i want too. ill keep questions comming

Thanks

[Johnny Tightlips]

Hi Jason
I would agree that "it's who ya know not what ya know" but it has probably always been like that to a certain extent. As for spending 90K on basic training well why not try down the road in Cork and get the same piece of paper for 60K? Don't know if you are aware that on top of this you will have to pay another 30 odd grand for a type rating so that brings it up to 120K. I paid for my training by working for 2 years as a welder and 4 years part time work and also with help from my family. Money alone is not enough though you need lots and lots and did I mention lots of patience,determination a bit of skill and a brilliant memory! You do 200 hours flying minimum for the modular course and officially you are suppose to do 650 hours of theory but I would double that at least for the theory. It's not that difficult there's just a sh!t load of stuff to remember. There is a bit of maths and physics in it but it's fairly basic stuff. And then we get to the type rating: first 2 weeks, 10 hour days trying to learn the technical stuff and SOP's. For the rest of it profiles, memory items, company limits, emergencies etc. I would say for every hour I spend in the sim I spend 3 or 4 at least preparing for the session and that's hard work when you have 5:30 am briefings for the 7 am sim session. However after saying all that I really enjoy it and I could not imagine doing anything else. Hope this has helped you out a bit.

[Whirlygig]

but is the only way really going on a course that cost upwards of €90k

No.

Get a job, follow the modular route, save your money and take your time. You can make more contacts in the industry this way as well.

Cheers

Whirls

[UncleNobby]

Best of luck with your choice. I don't think anyone needs to take a skills test to help them find out if they have "the stuff" to make it as a pilot. Sounds like a cheap marketing ploy to "confirm" to a prospective customer they fit the bill to become a pilot. I wonder how many people they have turned away willing to spend 90K in the school because they didn't do well in the skills test?
For what it's worth here is my advice - if you have a job do the private license part time and pay as you go. It's a cheaper way to find out if it's something you really want to do - six months time once you have the private you can look at the next step.

[taggs30]

Hi Jason,
Youe have many options to consider and if you are located in Waterford it might be worth doing your PPL with Waterford Aero Club or Atlantic in Cork as they are on your doorstep, advantage is you do your training while at home and in your own time get a JAA PPL and can hour build while at home and you dont need to front such a large sum. You can then go on and do your MEP/CPL/IR with any of the trainging schools at home or abroad.
Taggs

[high flyer 13]

It can be done cheaper than the 60k check out this thread.Modular is much cheaper than Integrated - - LOOK
About 45,000 euro il have spent when i finish in june and that includes mcc/joc........... then if you want to add on your 30,000 euro for a type rating = 75,000 ish !! if you pass the selection for ryanair and its still cheaper than paying 90,000 euro at waterford.....madness dont spend 90k mate dont do it..

[Shock1]

Hi Mate

I am from Ireland now living in Australia. Google (PILAPT PILOT TESTING) it is a computer based coordination test, you should also try and download the manual and read it before your test.
Good luck Jason

[irishpilot1990]

(PILAPT PILOT TESTING) I argee this is big help. It gives you some indication as to what is on the pilot school assessments.

Dont get too worried though, the main question you will get asked is "can you fund this?"

Also 90k is excessive for modular....if you have those funds available just go intergrated...
integrated .v. modular...thats another debate for a different thread

But at moment Ryr only ones recruiting..they dont care what route or how much it costs once you have the correct papers...train as cheap as possible, save every cent to pay for the type rating.

[IrishJason]

Thanks very much lads. after weighing up all the options I'm still at a loss of what too do really. I have been in touch with a few pilots over the last few weeks.. some who are working and others who paid for the training and now have noting inc houses or marriages anymore I'd love too talk too some more too just too get more views on the whole industry from there eyes. Pilot Training Course Waterford PTC Ireland Diary of a PTC Student the chap who wrote that blog done a very good job and gave a good insight too it all. but he does seem too have a healthy bank balance. what I'm going too do is too go for my PPL first, I know its going too cost me the guts of 10k but at least this will give me a step in the right direction. Im very greatfull too all the above and all comments are welcome. the site has been a great help all be it a little heartbreaking at times. Thank god i got the Integrated out of my head and resisted putting myself into massive debt. Ill take it step by step, apply too either waterford of cork for my ppl and see how i get on. thanks again.

[MrPoker]

Hi Jason

Like yourself i am also a newbie and have always wanted to become a airline pilot. It really is a tough decision to make with so much money involved but someday I believe for my self the reward will be worth the risk even though the outlook doesnt look too good according to most pprune forumers.A lot of negativity here! Got my class 1 medical 2 years ago which I advise you to get first before you obtain any funding. Personally I think flight schools in Ireland are way too expensive in my opinion, anyone else agree? I have looked at so many options over the last few years, trawled through hours of threads and it just makes so much more sense to train abroad for half the cost, flights, accomodation and better weather included.

After two years of research i have decided to go modular as leaving a good solid job the way the economy is at the moment would be suicidal plus I am saving a fortune. I have decided to go with the Florida to a highly acclaimed school from what ive read on pprune to do my PPL for about E7000, night rating, ground exams, accomodation and car included. Just makes more sense to me than spending E10000 upwards in Ireland plus I feel I will progress better without the weather delays we have over here. I also plan to head back later in the year to hour build with what i have saved. Some great packages available. My hope is to get all my flight training to CPL for a budget of E50000 and put whats left towars a TR.

Anyway suppose what i am saying is dont rush into anything and get as much information as you can out of this site. Everything you need to know should be here. Have been looking at this forum for years and this is only my first post!! As I said earlier Its taken me years to get to this point to start my training and i have really have thinked it through. Hopefully by going the modular route in 2-3 years the industry will have picked up again and there may be jobs available. If not I still will have my finance job (touch wood) to fall back on and I wont be saddled with massive debt.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do Jason.
Heading out to The Sunshine State on Friday for a month. Let you know how I got on when I get back.

[IrishJason]

Thats much appreated MrPoker. Ill pm you my number just in case anything comes up. You seem too have researched alot more than i have anyway and been a fellow irish man too have someone in the same area as i am it could really help out, thanks a mill