CTC Whitetail with a PPL

[Buzzer15]

Hello All,

Quick question; I'm soon going to be starting my whitetail course with L3.

I already hold an active PPL and I fly very often and I have around 180 hours. I plan to keep up my PPL during 6 months ground school.

Question: Once I head to the US or NZ, will I be recognisef or creditted for my flying experience and time? For example I'd like to think I'm quite competent on flying SEP and the entire PPL side of the syllabus. So will my time abroad be reduced or more free time etc?

Also having done PPL theory (EASA syllabus) what is the biggest challenge I could face with the ATPL theory?

Thanks!

Look forward to your replies!

[VariablePitchP]

They used to use PPL hours as credit towards the CPL and then charge you a bit less for the course. They stopped this about two years ago, presumably because it meant they would charge you a bit less for the course.

I’m afraid it’ll be EofC 1&2 and 8 months in HMP Clearways like everyone else.

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

If you have a thorough grounding and understanding of the PPL ground school syllabus, you will hit the ground running with the ATPL ground school.

The ATPL ground school material is not rocket science. The issue that a lot of people have problems getting to grips with, is the volume of material to get through in the time allowed. However, if you have a mature attitude and you plan your time accordingly and work hard at it for the duration of the ground school you won't have any problems at all.

Enjoy the whole experience, once you have finished and popped out the other end, its very rewarding.

[foliot-pilot]

Originally Posted by VariablePitchP

They stopped this about two years ago, presumably because it meant they would charge you a bit less for the course .

"No they didn't. They were still doing it as of last year."


Agreed, they were still doing this around a year ago. Off the top of my head they credit you about 10 hours and charge you about £2000 less. Could have changed though.

[VariablePitchP]

I was probably exaggerating somewhat, I don’t know exactly when it was but I spoke to A Petteford early last year who said they’d stopped doing it for new starters ‘so that we can train you right from the beginning’.

Which kind of makes sense in itself but is clearly a financial win on their part as well.

OP, presumably you’re going to ring them at some point and ask, perhaps let us all know?

[button push ignored]

Why not look into FTE Jerez 'Flight Deck Plus' program.
It's designed for people with a PPL and 150+ hours with ATPL writtens passed.
FTE is still 'top three' if prestige is your thing.

Doing the full L3/CTC program in your position doesn't make sense to me.

[parkfell]

Did L3 discuss with you what your possible options might be, given your PPL and previous experience, in terms of course flying reduction, or modular route?

[champair79]

They reduce the hours slightly by removing a few of the solo flights out of the syllabus.

Your logbook will be scrutinised by the CFI and they'll reduce the course fees slightly. The biggest advantage apart from monetary is the fact you can renew your SEP by experience at the end of or during the course whereas your fellow students will be CPL/IR qualified but only on multi engined aircraft and not SEP.

[parkfell]

Champ

Unless you ask for SEP to be included on your licence. Additional CAA fee.
Best to ask at the start of the flying phase so only those qualified examiners conduct the appropriate SE progress tests to complete the paperwork.

But if your aspire to the RHS, would light ac flying appeal as a hobby?

Interesting to see what those think before attending the course, and those already in multi crew employment.

[rudestuff]

So you're in a position where you can get your fATPL for under £20k, and you're planning on spending how much?

[foliot-pilot]

But he'll be able to post about his 'road to the right hand seat' on social media. Maybe even start a blog. That's worth the £75k difference any day..

[parkfell]

I think you will find that the modular route is proving equally as successful to the RHS, for those who prove themselves as competent.

Integrated courses do not guarantee certainty. You still need to do well.

[pilotflyingrocks]

Originally Posted by rudestuff

So you're in a position where you can get your fATPL for under £20k, and you're planning on spending how much?

I couldn't agree more! Why someone with a PPL and 180 hours would consider an integrated course is beyond me

[rudestuff]

Someone's obviously done a very good sales pitch!

[button push ignored]

I don't think we'll be hearing from Buzzer15 again.

It must feel horrible to realize that you've made an expensive mistake.

All that silly selection process and group therapy sessions were for nothing.

All the interview suits, and haircuts.

Must be tough to own up to it.

Better just run and hide, and change your handle.

But it's alright.

We've all made mistakes.

We're here to help.

And we're not trying to sell you anything.

I gave you a better way of FTE Jerez 'flight deck plus' program.

It's got almost all of the prestige of L3/CTC.

You didn't reply.

If you want something more local and cheaper, try Stapleford Flight Center.

But you came to seek advice or confirmation from some very seasoned aviation professionals.

What you got was the truth.

Your plan sucked!

[Buzzer sound.]

[parkfell]

Let us hope that all "Junior Birdmen" (a generic term covering all genders) take notice, of the post above from b..p..i

I would love to have been that fly on the wall when the OP had "conversations" with the ATO.
Impressive sales technique clearly.


ADDITIONAL NOTE: Do cooling off periods apply to these contracts?

[planesandthings]

Another one sadly falling to the glossy brochures and sales pitches. They certainly do it well.

Impression I got from L3 (CTC) was that if you were on a box standard whitetail they couldn't care less if you had a PPL or not, but ultimately it's the least of your worries with the hold pools filling up.

It's a shame the OP left it till now to come on PPRUNE after signing the contracts to ask this sort of question. I wish him the best of luck, but he certainly needs to use a bit more thought when investing huge sums of money.

[JamesDC152]

I began my course in Jan 2015 and I got £1500 back and 10 hours knocked off my VFR stage of training. But as others said it may have, unsurprisingly, changed since then

[whiskey1]

Maximum credit for a PPL holder on an Integrated course is 15 hours.
You certainly meet the requirements for a Modular course.
You can do ATPL Theory followed by CPL and I/R Flying (in either order).
This MAY be the better option rather than an Integrated course.

[button push ignored]

This MAY be a better option!
Good grief!
£100,000 Vs £20,000.

But the best quote was from planesandthings.
Who said this may be the least of your worries as the hold pools fill up.
Too true.
Folks, the boom may be over.
The next boom you hear, may be as it all comes crashing down.

Now I don't care if Buzzer Man wastes £80,000 or not.
It's none of my business.

But it does show to me that this school does not work in their students best interests.