Importance of FTO choice.
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Importance of FTO choice.
I have read through stickies and tried my best to searc on the subject but I cannot find very much relevent information, I'm not looking to be spoon-fed but if someone could point me in the right direction I would be grateful.
I know there is the ongoing debate with regard to modular vs integrated routes for obtaining a (f)ATPL, and I honestly think that the advantages of doing it modular out-weigh any disadvantages (the main one which I can see being that employers supposedly prefer integrated students, although most adverts for jobs I have seen which said this also said "or one stop modular" so my mind is fairly at ease with this)
What I would like to know is if anyone has any information on how much employers take into account the FTO you choose to train at, specifically for the modular route.
I want to know because I will soon have to make a decision about where I want to go, and the main two I have been looking at are FTE Jerez and Bonus Aviation. Whilest Bonus Aviation is the cheaper option of the two, it leaves me wondering whether or not there is much added value in using a more well known FTO which (unless I have just out of coincidence heard A LOT more about it than Bonus) is the more well known/established of the two. Also added onto this is some information from FTE's site showing them as having a number of "Airline Partners" (FTE Jerez: Airline Partners). Whilest I am not sure exactly to what level they are partners, It is this sort of thing which makes me wonder if employment is more likely having trained there.
Thanks for taking the time to read and I apologise if this has been done to death but I did try to search and read stickies and came up short of information. Opinions as well as facts welcome.
Chael.
I know there is the ongoing debate with regard to modular vs integrated routes for obtaining a (f)ATPL, and I honestly think that the advantages of doing it modular out-weigh any disadvantages (the main one which I can see being that employers supposedly prefer integrated students, although most adverts for jobs I have seen which said this also said "or one stop modular" so my mind is fairly at ease with this)
What I would like to know is if anyone has any information on how much employers take into account the FTO you choose to train at, specifically for the modular route.
I want to know because I will soon have to make a decision about where I want to go, and the main two I have been looking at are FTE Jerez and Bonus Aviation. Whilest Bonus Aviation is the cheaper option of the two, it leaves me wondering whether or not there is much added value in using a more well known FTO which (unless I have just out of coincidence heard A LOT more about it than Bonus) is the more well known/established of the two. Also added onto this is some information from FTE's site showing them as having a number of "Airline Partners" (FTE Jerez: Airline Partners). Whilest I am not sure exactly to what level they are partners, It is this sort of thing which makes me wonder if employment is more likely having trained there.
Thanks for taking the time to read and I apologise if this has been done to death but I did try to search and read stickies and came up short of information. Opinions as well as facts welcome.
Chael.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Hi Chael,
You'll have trouble finding anyting other than opinions here. Even if you talk to the chief pilot of Ryanair you'll only get his opinion which may well be different from that of the same person for easyJet.
With that in mind as yourself this question...
Which would you rather buy:
- A 1 series BMW (not considered to be a particularly good car, nevertheless it's a beamer)
- A lada (remember them?) which according to the spec sheet is the best car in the world.
Option 1 is the well known FTO like FTE. They have a track record, know all the right people and buyers (recruiters) have a rough idea of what they're getting.
Option 2 is the unknown flight school. The freshly minted new fATPL may be so good he puts Ice man and Goose to shame, but do the buyers (recruiters) know this? No, all they have is a CV in which you blow your own trumpet.
Even if the student from school 1 is only mediocre and the the guy from school 2 is amazing, the first one stands a greater chance of getting their foot in the door.
OK, that tackles it from a recruiters point of view. Next we need to consider how the training is for the student. I can vouch for FTE, I think they did a fantastic job of training me (I instructed for other schools afterwards, so I've got a rough idea of the competition).
I don't know what Bonus Aviation is like, I've never heard of them. If you consider their training to be comparable to that of FTE, then refer to my previous point. It's all a question of how much money you're willing to risk for how great a risk.
Good luck in your decision making and flying training.
You'll have trouble finding anyting other than opinions here. Even if you talk to the chief pilot of Ryanair you'll only get his opinion which may well be different from that of the same person for easyJet.
With that in mind as yourself this question...
Which would you rather buy:
- A 1 series BMW (not considered to be a particularly good car, nevertheless it's a beamer)
- A lada (remember them?) which according to the spec sheet is the best car in the world.
Option 1 is the well known FTO like FTE. They have a track record, know all the right people and buyers (recruiters) have a rough idea of what they're getting.
Option 2 is the unknown flight school. The freshly minted new fATPL may be so good he puts Ice man and Goose to shame, but do the buyers (recruiters) know this? No, all they have is a CV in which you blow your own trumpet.
Even if the student from school 1 is only mediocre and the the guy from school 2 is amazing, the first one stands a greater chance of getting their foot in the door.
OK, that tackles it from a recruiters point of view. Next we need to consider how the training is for the student. I can vouch for FTE, I think they did a fantastic job of training me (I instructed for other schools afterwards, so I've got a rough idea of the competition).
I don't know what Bonus Aviation is like, I've never heard of them. If you consider their training to be comparable to that of FTE, then refer to my previous point. It's all a question of how much money you're willing to risk for how great a risk.
Good luck in your decision making and flying training.
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I myself went the modular route and have no regreted it in anyway. However, I had spoken with a few of the "big" integrated schools, and they openly admit that they give sole priority to the students doing integrated. My word of advice would be that if you have really decided not to go the integrated route, do not visit oxford or FTE. You will be put behind and priority will be given to integrated students. I dont think this is wrong actually, they are the ones paying the big bucks, i just think its good to stay away from them if your not going integrated.
As for the recruitment point, i actually know more guys/gals right now who have gotten jobs recently, who went to modular flight schools. The reason is that either they performed very well in assesments, or they had good connections or they had a type rating. Spend half the money and if you want use the rest to get a type rating. If you have $100,000 for training and then another $30,000 for a type rating, i strongly suggest you just invest it somewhere and dont become a pilot
Airlines right now dont really care where you did your training, they have so many applications coming in they do not have time to sit and look what school you are from. What matters is how good you are, and if you can pay for TR or not. Dont sell out to marketing gimics mate. There are LOTS of good flight schools out there that no one even knows. Have a look around.
Best of luck to you!
Svoa
As for the recruitment point, i actually know more guys/gals right now who have gotten jobs recently, who went to modular flight schools. The reason is that either they performed very well in assesments, or they had good connections or they had a type rating. Spend half the money and if you want use the rest to get a type rating. If you have $100,000 for training and then another $30,000 for a type rating, i strongly suggest you just invest it somewhere and dont become a pilot
Airlines right now dont really care where you did your training, they have so many applications coming in they do not have time to sit and look what school you are from. What matters is how good you are, and if you can pay for TR or not. Dont sell out to marketing gimics mate. There are LOTS of good flight schools out there that no one even knows. Have a look around.Best of luck to you!
Svoa
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Riciardi, please re-read the original post, in particular the following part:
There is no reference to type ratings.
SVoa, good post. I particularly agree with your first paragraph. The only points I would raise about the second is that there are more modular students (maybe 3-4 times more) so even if there are 2-3 times more employed than integrated, the integrated schools may stll be getting a better employment percentage. However I don't know the actual statistics, I'm not sure anyone does.
The other point to be made is that I have had similar discussions with airline recruiters who told me that when they are swamped with CVs, they need a means of reducing the number of applicants to interview. That is why they chose only to review applicants from "well respected" FTOs.
What I would like to know is if anyone has any information on how much employers take into account the FTO you choose to train at, specifically for the modular route.
SVoa, good post. I particularly agree with your first paragraph. The only points I would raise about the second is that there are more modular students (maybe 3-4 times more) so even if there are 2-3 times more employed than integrated, the integrated schools may stll be getting a better employment percentage. However I don't know the actual statistics, I'm not sure anyone does.
The other point to be made is that I have had similar discussions with airline recruiters who told me that when they are swamped with CVs, they need a means of reducing the number of applicants to interview. That is why they chose only to review applicants from "well respected" FTOs.
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May seem a silly question, but is it expected of you to put your FTO on your CV? I have seen a few example pilot CVs and none had "I obtained my licence with FTO 'X'".
On a related note, I work for a LoCo as cabin crew. I flew with a guy working in the cabin who completed his training with an 'established' FTO about two years ago and still has no job. I don't know the ins and outs as to why, but I think it shows that no matter where you go we are all in possession of the same piece of paper. Just a thought!
Craigyd
On a related note, I work for a LoCo as cabin crew. I flew with a guy working in the cabin who completed his training with an 'established' FTO about two years ago and still has no job. I don't know the ins and outs as to why, but I think it shows that no matter where you go we are all in possession of the same piece of paper. Just a thought!
Craigyd
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Nothing new but.
Have you considered Bournemouth?
I can't vouch for Bonus or whatever they call themselves.
Regards to CV's. I put my FTO's on it as some airlines ask where you went for your training etc.
I can't vouch for Bonus or whatever they call themselves.
Regards to CV's. I put my FTO's on it as some airlines ask where you went for your training etc.
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If you choose to follow the modular route then I recommend that once you have attained your PPL you try to complete your CPL and all your ratings with one FTO, it will make things a lot simpler when applying for recruitment; it's also a requirement with some airlines.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
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Thanks for all the replies, certainly gives me something to think about! Yeah the plan is to finish off my PPL locally before going on to complete the rest in one place. I haven't looked at too many places as I was mainly going on reccomendation I have had from people I know who have been through it all, but I will look into Bournemouth aswell.
Thanks once more for the input.
Thanks once more for the input.
