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Becoming a pilot After COVID-19

Old 2nd Apr 2020, 22:04
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I have 1000 hours FI. Assessment cx. Friends flying with the airline tell me that all TR training stopped. And only Flybe or ATR TR crews will be considered now. This was before CV-19, so Lord knows now.
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Old 3rd Apr 2020, 11:52
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I suggest modular, but not sure I would suggest the same to a UK national with Brexit, Flybe, Monarch and possible redundancies at BA.
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Old 3rd Apr 2020, 12:44
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Originally Posted by q400_driver
No economic downturn in the history has ever lasted for 8-10 years, not even Great Depression, no post war recessions, nothing. In 2011-14 if you would go for a CPL, people would call you crazy, same doomsday agenda, the only way to get a job, even in low costs was to go fly in Africa/Asia for a while, get 1500h and then MAYBE somebody would even bother to invite you for an assessment. Times changed over night and we saw some of the best years for young cadets in decades.

Nothing has really changed in the dynamics of global Economy. Sure, next few years will be tough, but as always, things will pick up. Right now most likely most decent schools in Europe have shut down already or will close shortly. Wait it out a little bit, there's nothing else you can do. Having a second career for times like these is a good advice.

Once the restrictions start to lift, one can assume an influx of high quality instructors into training industry. You want to do your pilot training when the economy is down - this typically means you get a good product for a low price. When times are good for the airlines, schools see high turnaround of instructors and you will deal with many instructors who will only have some 50-100h more than you do. Prices will be high and the attitudes from schools will go down. Nobody gives a toss about you when there are other students piling up.

Yes airlines are firing a LOT of pilots at the moment, but here's the thing..
First of all, airlines also have a LOT of metal sitting on the ground. These planes cost ridiculous money in leasing every month and there's no way out of it. Some airlines will go bankrupt but the machines will still make losses to somebody, be it a lessor, bank, an oil magnate, it doesn't matter - at some point they will need to fly again to pay themselves off and you will need people for that.
The second thing is - our human ability to listen to news, be intimidated, living in a lock down can only last for a year at best. Pretty soon the number of covid victims becomes nothing more than statistics and we will want to get back to our lives. It is in our DNA to travel. People need to get places, be it for study, business, family or pleasure. I can easily see governments starting to lift restrictions on many different things in next couple of months- ideally we could lift travel restrictions tomorrow with condition that everybody must wear a mask and people with symptoms are denied travel, we could make it a norm for most of our daily activities. Covid won't go away any time soon, but we will learn to live with it.
Excellent post. I agree with everything said.
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Old 4th Apr 2020, 11:47
  #24 (permalink)  
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very interesting question

Originally Posted by the1917
I would urge you to do your own research and make your educated decision based upon facts, rather than taking my opinions or anybody else’s. Personally I like the truth. Unfortunately very few people are true realists and therefore a lot of the guidance you receive here will be influenced by the insecurities of the poster.

The facts to research should be:

- how many licensed ATPL’s exist and how many are in employment
​​​​​​- how many airframes are on order and how many orders have been cancelled
​​​​​- what is the UN’s objective from the cop26 climate change summit
​​​​- insurance companies’ current and future approach to virus cover
- the extent of quantitative easing and the impact upon the value of the £
- which airlines are making unsustainable losses and how many pilots they employ
- the level of investment being made into virtual connectivity
- the level of investment being made into aviation

Once you’ve gained a reasonable background knowledge of these key influencers the answer will be black and white, even if it’s not the answer you, or I, want to hear.

I will leave personal opinion out of this reply as I very much respect your position and genuinely hope that you make the right decision.

very informative reply. I have always wondered about the first point"- how many licensed ATPL’s exist and how many are in employment?"

how do you find that information say for UK? Thank you
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Old 4th Apr 2020, 18:26
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I don't think there is a comprehensive way to do so, but a quick search of social media currently shows a number of pilots in the UK working minimum wage jobs to survive because they have been made redundant or their company has gone bust. . After the flying schools keep spewing cadets out, Flybe's demise and Thomas Cook (A number of the pilots who had new offers have now lost them) there must be up to 2000 people out of work.
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Old 4th Apr 2020, 18:32
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I have had a fantastic career in aviation. It looks like it has been cut short by about a decade. I have 20k hours on a mix of military, Boeing and Airbus.
if you want to enjoy flying I reckon buying a C150 or similar is the best bet. Sad but true.
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Old 4th Apr 2020, 18:38
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Newby pilot with no experience in next couple of years? Seriously? Suggest you invest your parent's savings in a trade likely to be needed - how about undertaker?
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Old 5th Apr 2020, 02:04
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Originally Posted by the1917
I couldn’t agree more.

It is refreshing to see somebody of your experience offering truly useful insight as the OP could be about to make a monumental mistake and your unselfish comments may just help him / her.
There is plenty of dramatic end of the world "insights". The only useful insight anyone needs right now is to have patience and wait, we are still in mere weeks into this. The worst thing you can do is to rush into final conclusions of any kind.
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Old 5th Apr 2020, 07:56
  #29 (permalink)  

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Those with an absolute passion (and ability) about becoming a pilot will continue to train when the restrictions are lifted, despite what the doom merchants say. Those without a burning desire to fly will hold back and might even go off the idea of becoming a junior birdman.

This may be regarded as the acid test, as a not inconsiderable number decide to train because of the perceived status/glamour associated with this profession.

Give me someone who demonstrated their passion as a “hangar rat” at their local flying club, or avid spotter any day of the week.

Sir Paul Nurse at the Crick Institute believes it will be a year before a vaccine is available for C-19.
That will bring some much needed certainty and confidence back to everyone.
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Old 5th Apr 2020, 11:56
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Originally Posted by parkfell
Those with an absolute passion (and ability) about becoming a pilot will continue to train when the restrictions are lifted, despite what the doom merchants say. Those without a burning desire to fly will hold back and might even go off the idea of becoming a junior birdman.

This may be regarded as the acid test, as a not inconsiderable number decide to train because of the perceived status/glamour associated with this profession.

Give me someone who demonstrated their passion as a “hangar rat” at their local flying club, or avid spotter any day of the week.
Is that not a concern though? Now that the jobs market will dry up, no airline will be sponsoring people so the pool of talent is yet again reduced simply to people with rich parents who can afford to do the training and not worry about the risks of not getting a job.

You say you want to fly with a load of spotters? Really?! Surely you want a flight deck filled with pilots with a diverse background, people who have real life experience in previous jobs not just a load of flight sim nuts, I couldn’t think of anything worse, imagine having to sit through that chat for 12 hours every time you go to work

You say you want people with passion and ability to do it, this will achieve the opposite. You don’t need ability to be a pilot, just a big wallet sadly.
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Old 5th Apr 2020, 13:25
  #31 (permalink)  

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Originally Posted by VariablePitchP
Is that not a concern though? Now that the jobs market will dry up, no airline will be sponsoring people so the pool of talent is yet again reduced simply to people with rich parents who can afford to do the training and not worry about the risks of not getting a job.

You say you want to fly with a load of spotters? Really?! Surely you want a flight deck filled with pilots with a diverse background, people who have real life experience in previous jobs not just a load of flight sim nuts, I couldn’t think of anything worse, imagine having to sit through that chat for 12 hours every time you go to work

You say you want people with passion and ability to do it, this will achieve the opposite. You don’t need ability to be a pilot, just a big wallet sadly.
The only airline fully sponsoring prior to C-19 was Aer Lingus, and their students are both enthusiastic and talented. A few other outfits sponsor the type rating with bonding.

Yes, rich parents will continue to fund their children, although that is likely to be fewer in the short term with their investments taking a hit. A significant number of parents have remortgaged their houses to fund the training. I suspect that it would be a concern to parents if the opportunities for employment where minimal?

The modular route undoubtedly does produce the most diverse source of pilots, and doesn’t necessary require the “big wallet” up front, if you continue to work and save like the majority of those on this route. I do maintain that a passion and determination are essential ingredients for this route, or in my day the “self improver route”. No courses as such. Simply apply for the written exams, and sufficient flying training to pass the flying tests.

Regarding the spotters ~ I should have said in ones youth, with others being “hangar rats”. A stage which young people go through; part of the metamorphosis which embryonic pilots go through before they start their journey.

The “flight sim nuts” invariably stay as ‘flight sim nuts’. They have been known to have their live on line flying skills assessed by a current TRE. I know at least airline pilot who carried out this rôle !! I was surprised when I was told that by a reliable source.





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Old 6th Apr 2020, 10:03
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Originally Posted by parkfell
The “flight sim nuts” invariably stay as ‘flight sim nuts’. They have been known to have their live on line flying skills assessed by a current TRE. I know at least airline pilot who carried out this rôle !! I was surprised when I was told that by a reliable source.
I maintain that a 4 sector day in an aircraft is infinitely less stressful than trying to do a flight on any flight sim, between the system bugs and sim crashes combined with the nightmare of trying to navigate the various online tools for vatsim etc for which you need a degree in IT, I shudder to think back to all the bad memories.

Strolling down to the gate at 6am coffee in hand and getting on board to start with the prelims and getting the show on the road has proven to be a far more stress free and unimaginably more enjoyable experience.

Anyhow, I agree, those with a burning passion for flight and to be upfront, those who feel their life wouldn't be complete without becoming a pilot - they will make it. This situation is very serious, but it will pass, like all other storms.

My advice to anyone sitting around, be they in school or university or laid off from another job they got involved with, I would advise doing something useful. Try to learn a new language, get a job in the local supermarket or volunteer, do something. When all this is over, it wouldn't be beyond reason to be asked in an interview what you did with your time during the COVID crisis. It will be a great indicator of what kind of a person you are. Did you lounge about all day or did you try to advance yourself in another area? Lots of brownie points I expect for those who can say they signed up to an online language course or helped the local volunteer group in checking up on the elderly neighbours etc.
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Old 6th Apr 2020, 14:19
  #33 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by the1917
According to the CAA there were 13,321 licensed ATPL’s and CPL’s in 2018
thanks for that
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Old 9th Apr 2020, 10:39
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If anyone is still considering flying training, do it modular at this time. Keep down a job at the same time. Pace it out. I chose this path in 2008, and dragged my training out, came out of it with no debt, and a backup career.

All the the lads I know that went to the glossy and beautiful integrated schools regretted it, they all sat on the job pile for years but with 100k loans for themselves or their parents to service, which at the time of a recession is madness. Many never got a job and walked away with a 100k beermat.

It it took me a number of years after the recession to get that job, and it was on the other side of the world as a bush pilot, until I got picked up by a lcc in Europe.

Be be prepared I am afraid for a long wait, so slow down training, try and get into as minimal debt as possible. Do not fall for the big schools lies in that they can get you into the right seat with their connections, airlines will not hire now for r, with exception being perhaps ryr and wizz. Salaries will take years to recover.

The effects are already happening. Lufty shutting down German wings. Do not forget that legacy carriers make a large portion of money from business travel, and that is not just in business class seats. Companies outside of aviation are shedding staff, current staff are getting used to working remotely, video conferencing has increased dramatically and it will take a long time for customers to change this mentality.

When legacies stop hiring, they are at the top of the food chain, it slows everything else. I expect even the RAF will slow down as short serve commissions sign on again as there is no civvy street work for them.

Post 2008 it took Ba and AF years to hire again. I expect something similar.

Last edited by UAV689; 9th Apr 2020 at 11:55.
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 09:31
  #35 (permalink)  

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The issue as ever is one of confidence. That will only start to improve once you are eventually vaccinated, or having experienced / suffered from C-19 you acquire the antibody immunity. And then the question arises how long protection will last.

I would not be entirely surprised that “evidence” in some shape or form will be required before you travel?

Although the air con cabin filters are extremely effective (99+%), anyone within say 2-3m of your seat is a potential threat. Would you want to take that risk whilst unprotected?

ATOs will clearly have a reduction in new customers until a much clearer picture emerges.
Historically supply has always lagged behind demand.
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 12:07
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I received an email two days ago from L3 saying that they were now conducting assessments online and are still encouraging people to apply. Apparently they are also giving ATPL theory lessons online, which is good for the students I guess.

I'm a modular fan myself and have never bought into these expensive pilot factories. I'm just slightly perturbed by the nature of the email; they are still pushing people to apply. I guess if you started now, in 18 months the outlook could be better, but what a gamble.

For what it's worth, here's my tuppence for any wannabe pilots reading this - avoid MPLs, avoid the factories. Big is not always safe. Small schools are great and you won't be just a number. Modular produces better all-round pilots. Any training captain worth his salt (and it's normally a he) will know that.
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 17:00
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L3 never ceases to amaze. Then again any ATO will become desperate with this current situation.

Learning from home with L3? Why on earth would anyone pay for partial distance learning at full whack. Who knows what they're marketing about the future, but it certainly isn't the truth.

Anyone thinking about signing for training on the dotted line right now needs to seriously question their own decision making processes. Anyone graduating now will be waiting two years for a job behind all the unemployment created.

Wait it out. Concur with the above comments completely.
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 18:51
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Originally Posted by CaptainCriticalAngle
For what it's worth, here's my tuppence for any wannabe pilots reading this - avoid MPLs, avoid the factories. Big is not always safe. Small schools are great and you won't be just a number. Modular produces better all-round pilots. Any training captain worth his salt (and it's normally a he) will know that.
Anything to back up the above generalizations, other than mere speculation? I doubt there's any correlation with modular generally producing better pilots than integrated, nor small schools generally being better than big. All comes down to the individual level of talent & motivation and the quality of the training provided, regardless of how it's done. And you are also suggesting that male training captains are generally more capable than females, how so? To me, your comment sounds more like ignorance than knowledge.
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 19:36
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Hello tsvpilot,

Right then, where do I start. Well, it's certainly been a long time since anyone called me ignorant, but look, I accept that this is not a scientific argument and neither side can actually win. But I'm sticking to my opinion that modular studies produces more well-rounded pilots. I could probably write a book about it but this isn't the place for a 20,000-word analysis.

I have been to most of the big integrated school, on more than one occasion. I know people who have been through the system and they tell me they felt like a number and not a student. I know people who have forked out £110,000 to study at a big school in Spain and are currently completing their ATPL theory studies online in London. They have mixed feelings about the system. Certainly, FI/student ratio is an issue, among others.

And I reiterate that I would never recommend anyone do an MPL. Well before the commercial aviation sector recovers to the level where they're taking on cadets in large numbers, there will be jobs to apply for in other sectors (just look at the NPAS website). An MPL will be useless here unless you spend another small fortune in training.

And I really do believe smaller schools have a more extended family-like atmosphere and that suits some people better. You can do an 'integrated modular' of course and you still have the flexibility to take a break and it's significantly cheaper because smaller schools don't have massive marketing overheads.

Lastly, and most crucially, where did I state that men are better pilots than women? My guess is that English is not your first language and that something has been lost in translation. I could have written 'every training captain worth his/her salt'. And anyway, the fact remains that most training captains are men, although I am sure this will change with time.

Happy Landings!

Last edited by CaptainCriticalAngle; 10th Apr 2020 at 19:48. Reason: correction
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Old 10th Apr 2020, 22:40
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Look out for the usa total workforce, 10% have lost their jobs in 2 weeks.

The secondary fall out of mortgage defaults could be worse than 2008. There is a phrase, if America sneezes, we catch the cold. Well this is worse than a sneeze, this is going to be bad.

I really do hate to say it, to train now is mad, but if you must, do it modular over a number of years.

To hand a mortgage amount of cash to an integrated school does not show good situational awareness!

Last edited by UAV689; 11th Apr 2020 at 10:35.
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