30ies and looking at starting training... modular folks please chime in? (EU)
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: EHRD
Age: 32
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
30ies and looking at starting training... modular folks please chime in? (EU)
Good day all, first time poster, long time lurker here!
Long story short, having always considered/wanted to become a pilot, I'm at a stage in my life now where I am ready to make that move. 31, solid foundation of experience in IT Project Management so there's my backup if it ever all goes tits up becoming a pilot.
Looking at the modular routes, as the integrated/MPL courses are just too costly, plus I hope to be able to work and train to continue building my nest egg.
Still stumped at how this works in the EU - are we modular folks expected to go all the way to (F)ATPL on our own time then pay for type ratings before even having a chance of landing a job? Seems like the US has it easier in that respect, 1500hrs TT, far more low-hour pilot jobs available.. or am I just not finding the right information here? Any sort of information or insight as to your own experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Long story short, having always considered/wanted to become a pilot, I'm at a stage in my life now where I am ready to make that move. 31, solid foundation of experience in IT Project Management so there's my backup if it ever all goes tits up becoming a pilot.
Looking at the modular routes, as the integrated/MPL courses are just too costly, plus I hope to be able to work and train to continue building my nest egg.
Still stumped at how this works in the EU - are we modular folks expected to go all the way to (F)ATPL on our own time then pay for type ratings before even having a chance of landing a job? Seems like the US has it easier in that respect, 1500hrs TT, far more low-hour pilot jobs available.. or am I just not finding the right information here? Any sort of information or insight as to your own experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Educated Hillbilly
In the US everyone has to do GA work Instructing, survey, FO on part 23 types, para dropping and such to build 1500 hours before they are even allowed to undertake a type rating on a part 25 type. These hour building jobs will be low paid, but when they get 1500 hours the type rating will be covered by the airline and the pay will be good. The 1500 hour rule doubled salaries for Regional FOs in the US.
By contrast in the EU the commonly accepted practice is to pay 30k for a rating at 200 hours.
Alot on here will tell you modular is equal to integrated. Modular infact gives the opportunity for hour building that can be far more constructive and challenging than the 70 hours of student solo on an integrated course.
While in 2019 more operators started to recognise modular post covid it is apparent integrated schools are still dominating recruitment again.
Your age is no issue. The secret to succeeding in flying is being able to relocate any where on not much money for 3 to 5 years.
By contrast in the EU the commonly accepted practice is to pay 30k for a rating at 200 hours.
Alot on here will tell you modular is equal to integrated. Modular infact gives the opportunity for hour building that can be far more constructive and challenging than the 70 hours of student solo on an integrated course.
While in 2019 more operators started to recognise modular post covid it is apparent integrated schools are still dominating recruitment again.
Your age is no issue. The secret to succeeding in flying is being able to relocate any where on not much money for 3 to 5 years.
are we modular folks expected to go all the way to (F)ATPL on our own time then pay for type ratings before even having a chance of landing a job? Seems like the US has it easier in that respect, 1500hrs TT, far more low-hour pilot jobs available.. or am I just not finding the right information here?
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2023
Location: EHRD
Age: 32
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks all! Looks like some hard decisions need to be made. I am a US citizen living in the EU in the process of applying for citizenship here, which would necessitate giving up my US citizenship and thus closing the door to training and living stateside. I do plan on retiring here in the EU so that's something also to consider. However, I also have Hong Kong PR, which would mean that the CX Cadet Pilot programme is also an option, but from everything I've read and heard speaking to people on the inside, that seems like a crap shoot (years as an SO with non-transferable hours, working conditions on the decline)...
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NL/ES
Age: 32
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe no answers to your questions but I am in exactly the same situation: 31 years old, living in NL, working in IT as a developer and planning to start modular flight training this year if I pass the medical examination next month.
My plan is roughly as follows:
PPL + ATPL theory (Austrocontrol) to be done in the Netherlands,
Hour building tbd,
URPT, CPL ME/IR at Bartolini Air/Adriana/Smart Aviation/Global Aviation/DFA,
APS-MCC at AFA/VA/Simtech/Simnet/EPST
Note: All ATOs in no particular order.
Happy to get in touch with you!
My plan is roughly as follows:
PPL + ATPL theory (Austrocontrol) to be done in the Netherlands,
Hour building tbd,
URPT, CPL ME/IR at Bartolini Air/Adriana/Smart Aviation/Global Aviation/DFA,
APS-MCC at AFA/VA/Simtech/Simnet/EPST
Note: All ATOs in no particular order.
Happy to get in touch with you!
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: Perpetually circling LAM for some reason
Posts: 116
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still stumped at how this works in the EU - are we modular folks expected to go all the way to (F)ATPL on our own time then pay for type ratings before even having a chance of landing a job? Seems like the US has it easier in that respect, 1500hrs TT, far more low-hour pilot jobs available.. or am I just not finding the right information here? Any sort of information or insight as to your own experiences would be greatly appreciated!
If you think the US has it easy you have missed out on how things were at the regionals in very recent history. That said, right now if you have a US passport and aren’t flying out there then you need to take a long hard look at your decision making. Lifestyle and money are better in the states.
Last edited by Speed_Trim_Fail; 26th May 2023 at 20:54.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Age: 72
Posts: 4,156
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes
on
14 Posts
Changing citizenship doesn't preclude you training in the US. You could also look at Canada, particularly Harv's Air in Winnipeg
Phil
Phil
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Age: 72
Posts: 4,156
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes
on
14 Posts
They're great guys, get on with the job, well respected by Transport Canada and there are nearly 300 clear days a year, so no interruptions.
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi!
I want to send you a PM but your inbox is full.
can you send me a PM?
I want to send you a PM but your inbox is full.
can you send me a PM?
Maybe no answers to your questions but I am in exactly the same situation: 31 years old, living in NL, working in IT as a developer and planning to start modular flight training this year if I pass the medical examination next month.
My plan is roughly as follows:
PPL + ATPL theory (Austrocontrol) to be done in the Netherlands,
Hour building tbd,
URPT, CPL ME/IR at Bartolini Air/Adriana/Smart Aviation/Global Aviation/DFA,
APS-MCC at AFA/VA/Simtech/Simnet/EPST
Note: All ATOs in no particular order.
Happy to get in touch with you!
My plan is roughly as follows:
PPL + ATPL theory (Austrocontrol) to be done in the Netherlands,
Hour building tbd,
URPT, CPL ME/IR at Bartolini Air/Adriana/Smart Aviation/Global Aviation/DFA,
APS-MCC at AFA/VA/Simtech/Simnet/EPST
Note: All ATOs in no particular order.
Happy to get in touch with you!
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NL/ES
Age: 32
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts