tomuchwork

Just "fell" over this thread here in the forum. I admit, I shared his thoughts sometimes, especially on my job which kept me away for weeks at a time.

Read by yourself. And don't forget, something that is new and interesting now might be boring and repetitive after a few years....

http://www.pprune.org/questions/5754...ould-like.html


I am especially interested in that discussion because my oldest son want's to become a pilot as well. I tried everything to talk him out of this, I guess I will let him read obove thread. I hope that makes him think and he decides for a "proper" profession(no offence intended, but older chaps will know what I mean).

Restricted_Airspace

Hi Everyone,

First and foremost, my name is Jason and I have only recently joined the forums, although I have been lurking in the background reading posts and information for quite some time now.

I have recently immigrated from Australia to London and am looking to undertake my coveted Professional Pilots License. As I am not British (Irish by birth) and I do not own property, getting a loan for my training is out of the question, so I am looking down the pathway of the modular training route. I have spent the last few months researching different options, school and fees so that I can properly plan my journey and was hoping that perhaps some of you may be able to have a quick look over it to make sure I haven't missed anything?

I know there are many threads on the forum about training options, and I have read as many as I can find, however I just wanted to make sure that my decision was in line with these and that I haven't left anything out.

So without further delay, here we are:
Location - Stapleford Flight Centre

Cost Breakdown - Estimated Completion Length - 4 months if I able to fly every second weekend


Location - Stapleford Flight Centre

Cost Breakdown - Estimated Completion Length - 1 month based of the same parameters as above

RedBullGaveMeWings

Do everything at Stapleford. CTC is just a sausage company, Stapleford is one of those places that when I visited gave me a great impression as far as quality of training goes. The only thing preventing me from training in the UK is the horrendous exchange rate with €, otherwise either Stapleford or PAT would be the place I would train at. They have excellent pass rates.
On top of that, they're part of the Wings Alliance program – something I put hope on against over-priced sausage factories like CTC.

guni83

Thanks everyone for your comments.
I ended up seeing a few instructors at different schools and booked to start flying again after the Easter holiday.

I am sure I will regret it. But I either regret doing it, or regret not doing it.
Hopefully it will all be worthwhile in the end.

tomuchwork

guni83, that sounds good. I am glad you made this step.

I hope and wish everything works out for you as desired. Good luck!

Restricted_Airspace

Thanks very much. Would you consider Stapleford Flight Centre to be as well recognised internationally as CTC or Oxford? I only ask as I want to make sure I increase my chances of finding a job after the completion.

jamesgrainge

They give the same licence? CTC supply sleazy jet directly seemingly. There are hundreds of threads here regarding this issue and it comes down to whether you believe the conspiracy theorists or your own ability in passing everything and sourcing a job yourself. There are other schools, look to the eastern block, which have a good tie with other LCC, many successful students now flying, and will save you A LOT of money.

Alex Whittingham

It is surprisingly difficult to work out the total cost of training because the various ATOs' websites include or exclude different elements. We have spent some time trying to create a budget calculator, it's only for Wings Alliance schools, not CTC, but it will give you an idea of the total costs including test fees, accommodation etc. We include a 10% contingency as well, just in case, but even without that the figures for Stapleford that we calculated are a bit higher than those you quote.

redsnail

guni83, you're in Australia right? Be cautious of advice from other countries as their aviation scene is different to Australia's.
I worked in Australia for 10 years and now I am in the UK working as a pilot.

First things first. Where do you see yourself working once you have a CPL and on what wage? If you can't afford to support your family on that wage, think very carefully about getting that CPL.
OK. So you can afford it, how about that Class 1 medical? Any conditions such as colour blindness, diabetes etc.
I believe Australia is going through some interesting times WRT general aviation etc. Have a look at that market and see how the employment is. Your first job is likely to be as an instructor (more costs) or out bush flying. (Distance? Family?). What are the current requirements for Virgin or Qantas? If you can't get in with them, Cathay?

You must discuss this with your family as this will affect them significantly.

Halfwayback

Redsnail gives wise counsel -as always.

Forget the starry-eyed dreamers. In the end you are sitting in a flight deck driving a jet and managing systems. Yes it is most certainly the best view from any office window but it is not without drawbacks.

May I suggest you read through some of the threads on PPRuNe which may cause scales to fall from your eyes.

I speak as one with both military and airline careers and over 12K hours on jets. I thoroughly enjoy all my flying but I can only suggest that you research all aspects thoroughly and discuss it fully with your family before you commit to such a life changing move.
HWB

heisj

Hey guys,

I've been reading through the few major threads and decided to ask for some advice on my own situation..

Turning 25, USA/Finland dual citizen, no college degree(had the chance), 0 experience so far.

Basically I have been saving up for sometime now and I had planned it quite through: going to FL, getting my licenses and start building those hours by instructing. I've visited a few schools onsite and got a good vibe off one operating out of LNA at West Palm Beach.

Sounded pretty straight forward and a good option for me as I have the right to work and live in the US.. But then it hit me, the lack of a college degree got me thinking again. That basically means I won't be able to get a job at major airline in the US.

There are many options as I see it:
-Go through my original plan, instruct and maybe land a job at a regional for some years and possibly go on outside the US to a major airline in the ME/Asia. Also there are possibilities to get a 4-year degree off an online program while doing my training(too much work with the flight training going on?).

-EASA licenses via US school. If I got EASA instructing licenses, could I instruct in a US school(..teaching EASA)? I guess it could be a good chance as I have the right to work in the US? No hassle of obtaining work permits for a instructor, in the eyes of a school. Get a good amount of hours and come back to Europe.

-Do the FAA route, build some time and eventually do the conversion or is that just unnecessary work compared to going with EASA from the start?


Any thoughts?

Thanks!

jamesgrainge

Is a degree necessary?

If you are going integrated in Europe the costs are extremely high but less need for a degree as training is aimed totally towards Airline recruitment with less than 300 hours flight time.

The rest I cannot answer as don't have experience.

RedBullGaveMeWings

You don't need a degree in Europe and a modular trainee will have the same credentials of an integrated trainee.

heisj

Well the degree point of view was more towards future employment in the US market and specifically talking about major airlines. I believe you have a good shot at getting a job with a regional but the big guys require a 4-year degree.

jamesgrainge

So you are answering your own question. If you stay in US you need a degree. As I said, if you plan to do an integrated course in EU you won't need a degree for a FO job with a LCC, it means very little after training. Maybe try more US based forums, this is very euro centric.

heisj

Thanks jamesgrainge, but I have already decided that a high priced integrated course in Europe is out of the picture. I feel it is not worth it, especially in my case as I have a US citizenship. I should have also probably stated in my OP that returning to Europe is not a must for me. I'll definitely also try jetcareers etc for some advice.

Any other thoughts?

am111

Hi all,

This is my first post, so apologies if tacking my question onto this thread isn't the done thing. It seemed like the most sensible place to put it, rather than starting a new thread.

Here is my situation, I am 25 and currently working for my father in his independent business. For various reasons I have decided to pursue a career as an airline pilot. A dream I had as a child, but with 9/11 and the 2008 crash, a career path that during my formative years seemed unrealistic. I therefore concentrated on taking over the family business.

I have got my first class medical and have passed the skills assessment at CAE OAA, so I'm pretty much ready to go. I have a target start date of September as I have agreed to help my dad run the business until then. I have to keep him sweet after all.

My question is, what can I do to immerse myself in the world of aviation? Firstly because I am fascinated by it all but also because I worry that my CV will look a little sparse at the other end of flying school. I want to make sure I start giving myself the best possible chances to land that ever elusive first job. Unfortunately I will be working full time, including Saturday's, pretty much right up until I start my training so will only really have 2 days spare a week. Also, financially, every spare penny is being squirrelled to try and keep my debt as small as possible.

Obviously I have made my mind up on being a commercial pilot and going the integrated route. So I guess I am looking for any advice you wish you had received when you were in my position. Whether you're a seasoned captain with thousands of hours or you're treading water in the holding pool at the other end of an Ab-Initio course.

Thanks for your time!

redsnail

For something comparatively cheap, pop over to your nearest gliding club. You'll learn stuff (eg what the rudder is for) and chat to folks who may be of some use.

am111

Hi Redsnail,

Thanks. After reading these forums extensively I had wondered how to avoid becoming one of those airline pilots that doesn't know how to fly. So gliding seems like a good hobby to get into. I've got in touch with Surrey Hills Gliding Club over at Kenley Aerodrome (if anyone is familiar with it), so we'll see if it's something I can afford at the moment.

Any other words of wisdom out there?

pilot2be2

If you got into OAA why not apply for one of the airline cadet programmes? Would be better to be attached to an airline instead of going it alone?