Right Time to Start Training ?

[French Fox]

It seems like airlines are now hiring all over the world. Furloughed guys are recalled, shy signs of a shortage of EXPERIENCED pilots.
Schools would say : "Yes !!! it's time ! and in 6 months, airlines will fight to have you on the RHS seat of their B737's "
Some ppruners unemployed for years would say : "No !!! Go away from this business, you will never find a job "
For sure the situation must be between that...
So is it the right time to start a flight training ?

[Jabiman]

The advantages of doing modular training is that you can vary the speed based on your perception of the job market. You gotta start some time so it may as well be now!

[bumitch]

Modular Now

Well said Jabiman,

I'd suggest starting now; why wait if it's something you love to do?
Getting your PPL and hour building are great fun even if you pursue Aviation no further. It's your MEIR you want to hold back on until times are ripe.

[Janu]

I'm currently in the same situation as you are. Personally, I think you've got to first think about all the qualified pilots who are unemployed at the moment with many years experience and atleast a thousand hours logged on type. Logically, they'll be the first to get hired when airlines decide they need pilots. Something else to think about is the fact that a lot of pilots who are currently employed with an airline will want to be looking for a better job than they already have, they're also more experienced than a cadet fresh from flight school.
If the amount of pilots that will be needed in the next several years is true then you're going to need to be ready at some point in time. When I look at the current situation we have in the industry right now I think that being prepared too early is much better than too late. Nobody can say exactly when the time will come, so it's difficult to judge correctly and be 100% certain. If you wish to be successful in the future then the best way forward is to trust your intuition from the information you have and hope you're right. If I were you I would start training as soon as you possibly can and progress at a speed which you feel will offer you the greatest outcome. It's a very hard decision to make and I'm sure we can think about it a little to much.

I wish you the very best of luck!

[excrab]

If you can afford to do an integrated course - don't.

Instead do a modular one but first do the writtens via distance learning whilst staying in your present job. Get a single engine CPL and put the rest of your money in the bank. Stay in your proper job earning money. When it looks like there is really an upturn, and that means proper hiring not just easy/ryan air then do a multi rating and IR.

Unless you have £100k of yours or someone elses money to spare then go to CTC, of course...

[French Fox]

Thanks for your advice guys.

Actually, I have PPL and I've just got ATPL written exams last year. I was just wondering if it was the right to keep going. BTW I have the money to continue to the CPL ME IR. So after reading all your reply, I guess I should start now.

Excrab : apparently you're well aware. should I start by CPL 1st then ME and IR or it really doesn't matter in terms of money and difficulty ?

Sorry for my English. Everybody knows frenchies are dummies in English

[bumitch]

Fair enough; build your hours, get your CPL and have fun doing it. But how long does it take to get an MEIR? A few weeks if, like you, one has the dosh ready.

If I were in your boots, I'd put the MEIR money somewhere safe where I can't spend it, wait till the market has seriously picked up and then go for it. Hey, you might even find that your money has grown, by a few Euros, by then and you'll have enough extra for some Ray Bans.

Diving in all the way today is not a wise idea in my opinion (and that's all it is).
I have friends with fATPLs who have submitted their CVs to every airline imaginable with nothing but rejections or 'don't call us, we'll call you' responses. Their once newly acquired IR skills have waned, and it's going to by quite costly renewing them. All the time, their passion for aviation is waning too - and I wouldn't be surprised if it's this that kills their aviation career.

Tread wisely and timely my friend and you'll be OK.

Oh, and your English is better than my French..........and English!

BI

[MichaelOLearyGenius]

Remeber though that you can only hang on to your ATPL's for three years before you get the CPL/IR.

[jocksaway69]

Trying to keep positive

Funny but sadly true!!

What you should be told before flight school

[Final]

The only reason to fly is to want to. The right time is when you have enaugh time und money to finish a step like PPL or a license thereafter. The older you get the harder it will be, more costly and less fun.

[turbulentmonkey]

the guy is desperate pilot indeed. trying to limit the competition?

[bumitch]

Yeh, I think so TurbulentMonkey.

If anyone wants any positivity or maybe a bit of inspiration. Go here and

These guys have done a lot of flying and they clearly still love it.

[French Fox]

It seems like there are different views of the market...
I guess the best thing for me is passing the CPL and see how is the market from then.
I know few people from my previous ATPL class. They had 200hrs and they did get hired. Not all of them but at least it shows that this is not impossible.

Good luck to you all.

[fabbe92]

After thinking about it for some time, I have come to the conclusion that, when i graduate from upper secondary next june, I should head off to Uni to get my degree before flight school. To have a backup and something more to life than the skill of flight however, I'm affraid that things will start to pick up now and that by the time i finish training, 6 years from now, things will collapse again and there will be no jobs = dream over for good!

So, UNI or not? I allready have my PPL and 70 hours.

Thanks!