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Advice Please: I'm about to give up!

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Old 20th Sep 2019, 15:48
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Advice Please: I'm about to give up!

Hi everyone,
Last year I got accepted into Atlantic Flight Training Academy in Cork. Ever since I have trying to get a loan and save money to pay for training. Every bank has turned me away and my Mum remortgaging house isn't even possible. I need some form of advice whether it's on obtaining the funds or if there's another good flight school in Europe or beyond with good connections to banks. Pretty much given up at this point.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 16:21
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Credit Union is your best bet for Ireland. You'll still need a downpayment to cover it though.

I was in your shoes a few years ago. Had been accepted to one of the best flight schools in Europe, but didn't have a hundred grand lying around. Since then I've gone modular, worked full time and have obtained my PPL, passed my ATPLs and will go do my CPL/ME/IR in the coming months. It's cost me almost €30k so far but I've no debt since I've worked and paid as I went.

Go get a good job, pay your own way and take your time. It's not a quick solution but it'll work.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 16:37
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What you're talking about is: "Giving up thinking about starting..."

Have you got your class 1 medical yet?



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Old 20th Sep 2019, 20:13
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The vast majority of integrated courses will require you to pay anywhere from €60k-€110k, with a few costing even more. There are a small number of places on courses which are funded by airlines, or where the airline acts as a loan guarantor, such places are very few and far between in this day and age. The best bet is simply to keep an eye on here and on the flight training press for any announcements of such programmes.

The alternative is to get a job and fund training yourself, the modular route as mentioned by other posters is cheaper (it can be done for approximately €50k-€70k) and will enable yourself to train, to an extent, around a job. There are quite a few people who've saved through their late teens and early twenties and commence flying in their late twenties or early thirties.
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Old 20th Sep 2019, 21:59
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I'll point you to some of the very good replies you received in the thread you posted in February.

Cadet Trying to Fund Training

Life doesn't always hand us things on a plate sadly. It certainly didn't hand them to me and I have had to scrimp and save to pay for training for a number of years.

As I said in that thread too, I wish you the best of luck and hope you can achieve your dreams.
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 09:48
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Giving up? You haven't even started. Sorry if that may appear a bit blunt but that's the truth.
You're young enough to get a job and work for a few years and save up the cash. Working will give you a real appreciation of what you're worth and you won't be suckered into any exploitation set ups.
Consider working for an airline that has taken on their employees as flight crew, eg easyJet.
The industry is very cyclical and is extremely sensitive to the economic cycle. It looks like the hiring boom is coming to an end.
If I were you, I'd get the best paying job (or several jobs) I could find and save like crazy. Yes, you'll miss out on a new car, a fun holiday(s), big nights out with your mates, but if you really want this, that's what you'll do.
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 10:02
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Yes, I got my Class One Medical back in March.
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 10:13
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What have you been doing since Feb? If you had listened to peoples advice then, you could have done your PPL by now.

Forget the integrated route, you're clearly going to struggle to get finance. Every month that goes by where you waste time trying to get a loan, you could be several lessons closer to getting your licence.

Modular is the way forward, the sooner the better. The market won't stay this good for long.
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 10:17
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Originally Posted by TryingToAvoidCBs
What have you been doing since Feb? If you had listened to peoples advice then, you could have done your PPL by now.

Forget the integrated route, you're clearly going to struggle to get finance. Every month that goes by where you waste time trying to get a loan, you could be several lessons closer to getting your licence.

Modular is the way forward, the sooner the better. The market won't stay this good for long.
I've been working since I left school 3 years ago and have savings that would cover accommodation. Unfortunately personal circumstances has meant I haven't saved as much as I would like to especially this year. Obviously, I'm now considering using what I've saved for my PPL as it's possible to get it here in Northern Ireland and then look at another school when it comes time for exams and other ratings.
Is there any schools you recommend for Modular as I seem to hear horror stories about many of the popular schools such as L3 and CAE?
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 15:21
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It has already been said above but if you really want to pursue the dream of becoming a commercial pilot you will need to get a stable job with plenty of hours and lots of chance for progression. Work hard, get a second job if necessary, sacrifice your nights out and holidays and budget every single penny you spend.

That is the way every other pilot from a low income background has got their training done, even if it takes several years. We've all been there, and we know how hard it is, but there's no easy ride

My first flight was in 2002, I started saving in 2006 and I passed my CPL this year. So yes, it will take you a while and it will be a bit rubbish at times, but stick at it and do everything you can to involve yourself in aviation in the meantime. PPL, helping at the local flying school, reading every book you can.

Keep at it - it's worth it in the end (despite what some others might say!)
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Old 21st Sep 2019, 15:58
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Originally Posted by Keano752
Is there any schools you recommend for Modular as I seem to hear horror stories about many of the popular schools such as L3 and CAE?
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Class One medical obtained ✔️

The cheaper way of obtaining your professional licence is the modular route. The two ATOs you mentioned above offer the full time integrated courses. Expensive.

Timing will be of the essence given the time limits imposed on passing the EASA 14 exams & the CPL/IR flight tests.
So PPL first, and then having saved up, the groundschool/exams, hour building, and modular flying courses + MCC.
Do allow for accommodation / travel and probably at least a 10% contingency.

Your PPL instructor will be able to tell you whether you have the aptitude to progress further. You need an honest answer at this point. Otherwise you may well be wasting your money; even if you scrape through the CPL probably not employable, all your savings spent and with no prospect of earning.
You may regard this as being a negative/unhelpful comment but I have seen this unfortunate situation on a number of occasions.
Things might well change, depending how BREXIT goes, so nothing written is set in stone.

PS. Avoid loans / remortgaging as future dreams/aspirations cannot be guaranteed.

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