APS MCC with full time job UK
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 13
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From: UK
APS MCC with full time job UK
I'm planning to do my entire training part time, flying on weekends and booking annual leave in UK whilst having a 9-5 job in London
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks

Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 3
From: United Kingdom
Obviously, I can't speak for how things work at your company, but I wouldn't personally have a problem taking 3 weeks off work.
Other opinions may differ, but I think completing your entire professional pilot training whilst maintaining a full time job would be challenging or at the very least make it take a very long time. Would it be worth discussing part-time working or taking a sabbatical from work?
Other opinions may differ, but I think completing your entire professional pilot training whilst maintaining a full time job would be challenging or at the very least make it take a very long time. Would it be worth discussing part-time working or taking a sabbatical from work?
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 11
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From: Italy
I did my APS MCC with Simnest in Hungary. The biggest sell was that their theory was remote, and it was 10 days in the Sim, with no gaps. Starting on a Saturday, finishing on a Monday, with a holiday in between, it was just 4 days off work.
Really good training as well. So that's one way to make it work!
Really good training as well. So that's one way to make it work!

Joined: Feb 2010
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 111
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From: Kebab shop
I did my APS MCC with Simnest in Hungary. The biggest sell was that their theory was remote, and it was 10 days in the Sim, with no gaps. Starting on a Saturday, finishing on a Monday, with a holiday in between, it was just 4 days off work.
Really good training as well. So that's one way to make it work!
Really good training as well. So that's one way to make it work!

Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 587
Likes: 60
From: FLSomething
I'm planning to do my entire training part time, flying on weekends and booking annual leave in UK whilst having a 9-5 job in London
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks
My worry is limiting yourself to just the weekends to fly, that could take years unless you hit the jackpot weather wise. Working and flying is fine, but usually that entails at least some flexibility around working. Can you compress to a 9 day fortnight? If so then instantly that’s 25% more time to fly.
Joined: Sep 2022
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 328
Likes: 183
From: Perpetually circling OCK for some reason
Got any kids? Parental leave. Otherwise it’ll just be a case of leave or unpaid leave. Just has to be, or the dates don’t work. If anything a three week MCC is the most predictable.
My worry is limiting yourself to just the weekends to fly, that could take years unless you hit the jackpot weather wise. Working and flying is fine, but usually that entails at least some flexibility around working. Can you compress to a 9 day fortnight? If so then instantly that’s 25% more time to fly.
My worry is limiting yourself to just the weekends to fly, that could take years unless you hit the jackpot weather wise. Working and flying is fine, but usually that entails at least some flexibility around working. Can you compress to a 9 day fortnight? If so then instantly that’s 25% more time to fly.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: UK
Got any kids? Parental leave. Otherwise it’ll just be a case of leave or unpaid leave. Just has to be, or the dates don’t work. If anything a three week MCC is the most predictable.
My worry is limiting yourself to just the weekends to fly, that could take years unless you hit the jackpot weather wise. Working and flying is fine, but usually that entails at least some flexibility around working. Can you compress to a 9 day fortnight? If so then instantly that’s 25% more time to fly.
My worry is limiting yourself to just the weekends to fly, that could take years unless you hit the jackpot weather wise. Working and flying is fine, but usually that entails at least some flexibility around working. Can you compress to a 9 day fortnight? If so then instantly that’s 25% more time to fly.

Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 327
From: Hong Kong
Whatever you try to do, the British weather will screw you. The best option is to do a PPL in 4 weeks. Take two weeks leave, go to somewhere sunny in US and learn the basics, then go back a few months later to finish off. You will get a PPL much quicker and easier if you can do it in as short a period as possible. If you get the PPL part time it could take you a year and you'll use way more hours than you otherwise would. Eveyone wants to fly at weekends which means you'll be fighting every time to book a flight and even when you pre book lessons you might only fly 1 in 3 due to weather. Once you have a PPL you can concentrate on studying for the ATPL exams and hour build as and when. You can use your leave allowance for the following year to get your IRR, CBIR, MEP etc...

Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: london
How is this going for you.
I'm planning to do my entire training part time, flying on weekends and booking annual leave in UK whilst having a 9-5 job in London
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks
APS MCC is 3 weeks long? In the UK how would it be even possible to have 3 weeks off work, have other people took unpaid leave? - not sure how approval would work. I have a very good job and want to maintain that job without resigning/having gaps in my CV until I secure a flying job
Many thanks




