The Best Modular Flight Training School

[TheAeronaut]

Good afternoon all,

Having made the "Integrated vs. Modular" decision, I am now considering the best place in which to start my flight training. I've only a handful of hours toward my PPL, so my options are pretty much open.

There seems to be a few choices, some of which I have researched in great detail when considering integrated training (which I have now discounted given the economic situation). Does anyone have any past experience with any of the following organisations, solely for their modular courses:

CAE OAA, Oxford
CTC Aviation, Bournemouth
Flying Time, Shoreham
BCFT, Bournemouth
AFT, Coventry
Stapleford, London

I have heard that CAE OAA's modular course isn't a patch on their integrated course for various reasons, can anyone recommend any of the other schools? Or at least, recommend a useful starting point from which to compare them.

[mad_jock]

You have missed a few good ones out.

[jamesleaman]

Hi TheAeronaut,

With regards to Modular Training I would avoid CTC and OAA, and take a closer look at Flying Time Aviation, Stapleford Flight Centre and BCFT.

The reason I say this is because said FTO's will charge you the same, if not more for there Modular option than there Integrated;

I say also take a look at some FTO's outside of the UK, there are loads about.

Egnatia Aviation - Training College

Egnatia Aviation offer a 'Structured-Modular' program (Modular Stages, but using Integrated consistency and Airline focused training), all inclusive with accommodation for approximately £45,000. I haven't heard a negative thing about this FTO, and they use Bristol.GS for ATPL Theory aswell.

I hope this helps.

[felixflyer]

As you are about to find out, most people will recommend the school that got them through. A lot of it depends on you and your circumstances, budget etc.

You are already doing your PPL so your next step after that would be hour building. I would suggest using this as a way of visiting a few of these schools to compare and ask the relevant questions.

Nothing wrong with asking on here though as you can find out things you wouldn't necessarily hear elsewhere but I would do a search as each of the schools you have listed probably have threads dedicated to them.

Also, try not to look too far ahead. concentrate on your PPL and then hour building & ATPL exams for now. Things can change quickly.

Get you class 1 before going any further and good luck.

[Whitti]

Good points made above, it comes down to personal circumstances more than anything else. Location is one, time available to train and obviously cost.

I used a European school myself, in Poland called Bartolini Air, it was literally half the cost of modular courses here in the UK and they have a modern fleet. Did my training this year and a friend did his around the same time, we both had a great experience with them. Living cost in Poland is cheap also, certainly check them out.

Using the hour building to check different schools out as mentioned above is a good idea.

[TheAeronaut]

Thanks all for your contributions so far. I hadn't considered training abroad but will look into that now, thanks James. The Class 1 I managed to sort last year, but using hour building to check out schools sounds like a great idea. Cheers!

Also, @mad_jock, I figured I may not have listed all the training providers, which are the good ones I've missed out in your opinion?

[jamesleaman]

TheAeronaut;

Whitti's contribution is the icing on the cake. I have been researching FTO's for about 6 months now, trying to decide where to go to complete my fATPL+MCC. Still to this day, I find at least one promising looking FTO everyday.

Don't rush, consider all Flight Schools you find, ask for feedback regarding them on the forums.

As long as you don't go to the US (FAA regulations), and providing the FTO you choose to train with in the EU provides JAA/EASA/JAR certified training, it's not going to make a difference whether you train outside the UK. Infact, you'll almost definitely complete it faster due to better weather conditions!

[mad_jock]

Have a look at the scottish schools and also the ones in Exeter.

If you look through the mags in general the ones that don't extensively advertise don;t need to because they are more than busy with personal references which equals good school.

And once you sort them out have a search on here for any threads to do with them. The less they are mentioned the better.

[119.35]

AFT - Exeter

Worth researching Airways Flight Training, Exeter. Great training and Exeter is a good place to do your cpl/ir. Your hard earned isn't used to make it a 'glossy' school and they don't tend to advertise much as its more word of mouth. But this FTO is a real gem and cerrtainly worth a google search or two.

I would also consider whether it's worth paying the extra for OAA & CTC modular as they aren't going to provide any help securing a job post training, above the other providers.

Good luck!

[Halfcab]

@ jamesleaman,

Any reason you haven't given either of the flying schools in Exeter a mention? The reason I ask is that I have been considering them, but if you live in Exeter and would prefer to go elsewhere, thus increasing the costs of living, then there may be something wrong with them?

Also, a general question (not to hijack the thread): Say I wanted to find a flying job in the UK, would I be putting myself at a significant disadvantage if I did my commercial training at a foreign school (Bartolini in Poland for example)?

[jamesleaman]

Hi Halfcab,

In response to your question; No not at all. Before I intended to complete my 0-fATPL via Integrated, which I'm in the process of doing now, I actually completed around 12 hours of Private Pilot License Flying at Aviation Southwest based at Exeter. For the short period of time I was there for, they seemed very professional, although slightly Expensive. Overall though I had no complaints.

I can't comment on any of the other FTO's based at Exeter as I personally haven't dealt with them, although I haven't heard anything negative about any of them.

Exeter is a lovely city, I've lived and worked, as Cabin Crew for Flybe for a matter of fact out of the city for a while. It's a relatively quiet city I suppose compared to the likes of Bristol, Manchester, purely due to the small size, but it still has very much to offer in terms of pubs, restaurants, shops...etc.

After living anywhere for most of your life, as many can relate too, the last thing I want to do is spend another 2 years here doing my Pilot Training. Besides Exeter not offering an Integrated course, I want to start my potential career off by completing my training elsewhere. This is purely a matter of choice and in no way related to the FTO's at Exeter.

There is certainly no disadvantage to completing your commercial training outside the UK. As long as the training provided meets EASA/JAR certification then it makes no difference at all.
One of the other reasons I have decided to go outside the UK is because of the better weather conditions. If you go to the likes of Poland, Germany then this isn't relevant as the climate is much the same, however if you attend a FTO in Greece or Spain there is no doubt you will complete your desired license in a much shorter space of time.

I got accepted in CTC Wings Cadet Course; However after talking to some guys who completed their training there, they are still in the holding pool for a 'Flexi-crew contract' after almost a year of waiting, bare in mind they've spent an extra £30,000 for this privileged. I have chosen to take a calculated risk and not enroll with CTC, but to go through a FTO providing exactly the same airline orientated Integrated ATPL training, and come out the other end with exactly the same Licenses, plus an extra £30,000 in my pocket for a Type Rating when required.
The same goes for when you compare UK vs Europe for training, you will gain the same licenses, just ensure you chose an FTO who provide quality training. Don't necessarily chose the cheapest.

[ford cortina]

You missed Multiflight in Leeds

[maxdrypower]

and PAT at Bournemouth , do not make any choices without going and seeing them , dont believe the hype of other schools PAt's results are second to none

[mad_jock]

In my experence training FO's

Airways seems to produce a well prepared instrument pilot. Not sure what they do different to everyone else. But what ever it is, it works.

[Jugs08]

Pat bournemouth

Search up Pat you'll see they have an excellent reputation and pass marks. Just finished my training there and it was first class. Ive been to stapleford and caviar previously if u want to know what my opinions are based on. Pat is all pay as you go only 250 deposit, secondly ur at eghh which is a fantastic place to learn and the dutchess is a fantastic plane. I'm sure the others r good too but you won't be disappointed with PAT bournemouth

[Jugs08]

Well I love it. Low level circuits on a sunny day at eghh was awesome!

[mad_jock]

Aye there is quite a few things that a 22 year old pilot loves that are neither clean or best talked about in company.

[truckflyer]

This is actually a very stupid question, because the BEST MODULAR, will be very subjective, most will only have attended ONE modular flight school, and settled for that one if they was happy!

So most would not have experience from others, and therefore not many are in position to compare schools!