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Cheapest Flight schools?

Old 4th Oct 2014, 15:32
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Cheapest Flight schools?

Can anyone tell me some of the best flight schools that are fairly cheap?
I wouldn't mind living anywhere in the world for a few years, but the price is my main concern about becoming a pilot (as is usually the case)

I do want the school to be good, but really cheap, which will be difficult to find, but with the great minds on this forum I hope someone can give me an answer. Also a modular course, although integrated could also be possible, thank you.
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Old 5th Oct 2014, 01:28
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I do want the school to be good, but really cheap
Well, first of a cold shiver runs down my back when I read this!!! What kind of pilot you think you gonna be with this kind of attitude?! Every student should receive and expect nothing less but the best possible and most professional training they can get for their hard earned money!!! I mean basically what you're saying is that you don't care about the quality of flight training, as long as it is cheap, but on the other hand you probably expect a top (paid) airline job in the end. It won't work this way! I'm well aware that every student is concerned about the financial aspect of flight training and is trying to find the "best deal" and that's absolutely legitimate, but on the other hand it must be clearly said that becoming a pilot won't come for free! Become a pilot is lots of really hard work and not everyone who embarks on this journey will finally arrive at the desired destination. Anyway, I wish you well and good luck!

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Old 5th Oct 2014, 10:10
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Thank you Transsonic2000
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Old 5th Oct 2014, 10:49
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jamyjay assuming you're British, your problem will not be so much finding "a cheap flying school anywhere on earth" but converting your licence to the UK EASA standard if you choose to train elsewhere.

There are plenty of schools in the US etc that are as cheap as chips but I guarantee you'll be kicking yourself when you're doing that highly expensive EASA licence conversion course.

Generally speaking it's almost always cheaper to train in the country you ultimately wish to fly in.

On a pure cost basis assuming an EASA licence is what you want to end up with, I'd be looking at eastern europe - maybe poland or croatia?

Transsonic is kind of right on a country-by-country basis but, certainly in the case of the UK, there are schools that charge excessively high fees based on reputation when they're issuing the same UK EASA licence at the end of the day. Once you've got the job, nobody cares if you have a 30 grand modular licence or a 100 grand integrated one.
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Old 5th Oct 2014, 13:34
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thanks luke, however how much advantage is it having an integrated course license when going for your first job? I am looking at a few schools and cadetships in the uk but will need to wait on exam results.
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 08:39
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My personal opinion is that integrated isn't worth the money unless you're on a "tagged" course or whatever they call it these days, where there's a specific airline waiting for you at the end.

My reasoning being that self sponsored flight training, whether it's integrated or modular, is a huge risk either way, and a lot of people don't make it - so I'd rather gamble with 40 thousand quid than 90 thousand.

However I'm a bit old-school and still a huge fan of the modular-FI-turboprop-jet thing and I'm also a few years uncurrent on the specifics of the UK job market so
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 09:36
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The only advice i can give you on starting out is this, it doesn't matter if one school is $50 more or less than the other school, If you pay that $50 more and have a great instructor willing to work with the student, deliver good pre-flight and post-flight briefs and have good delivery of lessons. You will find it might be $50 initially upfront but it will save you thousands in the long run.

Myself, I was very worried financially and I started at one place (still of similar price just closer to "home") which I learnt quickly wasn't working, motivation from the instructor and myself wasn't the same and I changed to a school at a large training airport which changed my whole opinion on the saving a quick buck as I saved more in the long run. I hope my career is also better off for the investment.
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 15:24
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Thank you two

Is having a flight instructers rating worth it? like does it help getting a job with an airline not just to actually instructing?
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 17:26
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jamyjay99

Is having a flight instructers rating worth it? like does it help getting a job with an airline not just to actually instructing?
For those who have a genuine well founded interest in the flight instructor job for what the job is in itself, and who think of other aspects as coming second, I recommend going for the rating and the job, if you can.

For those who see it as a way of time building, or how it shows on your resume, DONīT DO IT. You will not like it, students and colleagues and management will not like it, and it will hurt your reputation. Think of other options.

In any case you probably have some time to go before making up your mind about this aspect.

Good luck in your explorations and choices.

Last edited by janrein; 6th Oct 2014 at 17:30. Reason: typo
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 17:31
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Whats with the costs?

Im cant find any reason why integrated courses cost more, as in theory they should cost less? sorry if the answer is here somewhere but i cannot find it
I understand that airlines may prefer pilots with an integrated course license, but i dont get why it would cost more, as ive seen schools that charge more for integrated whilst offering modular for thousands cheaper? Sorry if this is actually obvious and im just stupid
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 17:33
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thank you janrein
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Old 6th Oct 2014, 18:01
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They cost more because people will pay more and they try to attract a premium by suggesting it will make all the airlines want a piece of you.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 00:42
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Completely disagree with janrein. 99.9% of every flight instructor ever, has used it as a stepping stone to the airlines, the system works and it's well understood. Almost every school would cease to function overnight if you took away the hour building instructors. I didn't start out doing it for love but I did it for 7 years and grew to really enjoy it, and I'd go back to it tomorrow if only they paid tax free long haul salaries

Also, the 1% of people I worked with who were "career instructors" were usually grumpy old ers, and while they invariably had a great deal of knowledge and experience, their attitude sucked. They had grown stale from sitting in the same office and flying the same circuit and swimming in the same little fish pond for 30 years. They were patronizing and condescending towards other instructors, and loved the fact that the students were all terrified of them.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 14:57
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However for the money would it be worth it? would there be a guaranteed (or likely) job at the end of it? or could i save myself the money?
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 15:13
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Luke,
Your experience and mine are complete opposites.
I've flown with many instructors for test rides, but really only had lessons from seven.
Of the seven, one (the first one) was an hour builder.
Once I figured out he was there to build hours and not instruct me, I switched to a chap who loved teaching.
From that day on, I always interview an instructor before I take lessons (whether that's IR, CPL, Multi, renewals, or whatever).
During the interview I establish that 1) they're interested in teaching, not hour building, and 2) that they're the kind of person that I can get along with well in a cramped space.

So, six of the seven have been excellent instructors, who teach flying because they love to teach flying.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 15:17
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From my own experience:

I did my Integrated training in Lithuania. I hold now an EASA F ATPL + MCC.
Training there is pretty good. I am talking about Baltic Aviation Academy.
There are many video's on youtube from this school.

They use Bristol Ground School for ATPL Theory. Have 9 Tecnam P2002JF's. The Oldest one is 2,5 yrs old.

Then 1 C172SP with Garmin 1000, but I think they leased another one this year. Is only 8 yrs old.

Then 1 Multi Engine Tecnam P2006T.

1 2 year old FNPTII for SEP IR and MEP IR.

1 A320 Level D FFS + B737CL Level D FFS . At the Boeing you will do the MCC.

All in all nice fleet, and nice to learn to fly with. And at the end of the line , they use not so much fuel. Which is also one of the reasons why they can offer a better price.

Then the living expenses are extremely low. So also there you save quiet some money.

Training costs are around 55K Euro. Say 10 K for living expenses. So you end up with like 65-70K Euro.

After training they do not give a damn about you. They will NOT help you to get a job. Unless you are willing to pay a load of money on one of their P2F programs, which I suggest you NOT to step into. They are namely also an TRTO. So an ATO incl. Type Rating Training Centre.

During the training if you are not happy with something, then you SHOULD speak up to management. They Will NOT like that because they expect you to be a schoolboy or girl. And you HAVE to listen only to them. I am here not talking about Lectures. Lectures are good and training itself is also good with experienced instructors.

In general. I am happy that I did my training there. Had a great time there. Met also there my Future Wife .

So I would say, contact them. Make an appointment , and go there. You will not regret it.

After training, there are other ways to get FO job.
Myself I am now FA in an German Airline. Nothing is guaranteed , but I maybe get my shot here maybe pretty soon since. Then I also DONT have to pay for my TR.

Good luck with making decisions.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 15:24
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Just a little remark - the price for the basic license is not what makes this expensive and you are easily as low in attitude, as on money, if you start thinking cheap.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 16:15
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I think my initial post came across not quite the way i wanted it to, I was just wondering if there are any good cheap schools. I just do not want to waste some money on a course that another school can deliver the same quality for cheaper
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 16:26
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Since the licenses are the same at the end of the road, I prefer spending 15500€ in Bartolini Air than 40000€ in FTE Jerez (CPL, ME, IR). If that is going to ruin you more options to get an INTERVIEW thatīs something that still needs to be checked. I have friends working for RYR who studied in cheap flight schools and people from FTE who are still looking for a job.

What's really important is having good flight instructors who teach you to be a better pilot and be fully ready for each checkride.
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Old 7th Oct 2014, 18:31
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Thank you live your dream, so the school i'm looking at costs about 50k for its modular course that includes everything expect MCC, how much did you spend for living expensing, presuming the training lasts about 2 years or so?
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