FTE Jerez FD+ course
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Norway
Be carefuk about the price. It is more than what you mention. They are some additional cost, such as Landing fees, skill test, charts and so on...all of this will make the final bill quite high. These big pilot factories are sadly v good with hidden cost.
Joined: May 2016
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From: EGNT
From the ‘big 3’ they seem to have quite a good reputation.
However, if you’re looking to do your CPL ME/IR with the price you’ve quoted I’d seriously consider Diamond Flight Academy Sweden. Based in Kalmar they take around 4 pilots per month and have a seriously good reputation. All flying done in the DA42. I’ve spoke to numerous ex-students who have nothing but praise for them. Last time I checked taking into account the exchange rate the whole course (flying, test fees, accommodation) worked out just over 28K GBP.
I believe they’re a Wings Alliance partner so Alex may be able to shed a bit more light on them as I can only speak from my own research.
However, if you’re looking to do your CPL ME/IR with the price you’ve quoted I’d seriously consider Diamond Flight Academy Sweden. Based in Kalmar they take around 4 pilots per month and have a seriously good reputation. All flying done in the DA42. I’ve spoke to numerous ex-students who have nothing but praise for them. Last time I checked taking into account the exchange rate the whole course (flying, test fees, accommodation) worked out just over 28K GBP.
I believe they’re a Wings Alliance partner so Alex may be able to shed a bit more light on them as I can only speak from my own research.
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: coventry
From what I’ve heard from ex-students of DFAS, it seems to be an excellent school. I have a place for January however unable to make up the PIC hours to start so now awaiting on standby for the Feb course.
FTE Jerez is my back up who start their FD+ programme on 21st Feb. It seems they include the skills test as per their PDF of the course that you can access on their website. From what I’ve heard and speaking to fellow students, FTE Jerez appears to be a very good option with airline links and high standards however as mentioned before I’d say similar prices to the UK schools.
FTE Jerez is my back up who start their FD+ programme on 21st Feb. It seems they include the skills test as per their PDF of the course that you can access on their website. From what I’ve heard and speaking to fellow students, FTE Jerez appears to be a very good option with airline links and high standards however as mentioned before I’d say similar prices to the UK schools.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
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From: London
FTE vs CAE
Just looking for any perspectives here: engineering graduate in the UK (fallback!), I hold offers to both CAE (Gatwick) and FTEJerez for their fATPL programmes and I'm wondering whether anyone has anything good or bad to say about either of them.
Before someone chimes in with modular is cheaper; the funding I have is about 75% from the family who would much rather see me on an integrated course despite the financial ramifications.
I am currently erring towards FTE because I have yet to hear anything bad about them and the training all being in one place feels like a very good thing indeed, but I might have missed something and since Brexit I'm wondering if CAE training and airlines they interact with primarily being in the UK would be more compatible with my UK passport - how I wish I had Irish heritage right about now.
Any input or recommendations are appreciated as always
Before someone chimes in with modular is cheaper; the funding I have is about 75% from the family who would much rather see me on an integrated course despite the financial ramifications.
I am currently erring towards FTE because I have yet to hear anything bad about them and the training all being in one place feels like a very good thing indeed, but I might have missed something and since Brexit I'm wondering if CAE training and airlines they interact with primarily being in the UK would be more compatible with my UK passport - how I wish I had Irish heritage right about now.
Any input or recommendations are appreciated as always
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,846
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From: Bristol, England
The problem with integrated courses at this time is that they have hard time in the last few years with customer numbers well below their budgeted levels - I often hear numbers like a third of capacity - and as a consequence many are financially stretched and are using the up front payments of arriving courses to fund the training of the courses in front of them. You can see how this could go wrong as we enter recesssion, numbers fall off even more, costs go up, school goes bust, and you lose all your money having not had any training. I cast no aspersions on the two ATOs you mention but a smart move would be to negotiate a payment schedule that does not leave the school holding all your money in advance. Absent this, there are schools that will take £100K off you before you have even seen an aeroplane and then you are a complete hostage to fortune. Up to you, of course, and you may well be OK. FTE in particular have a stellar reputation but I don't think they can offer dual licences, whereas modular ATOs like Stapleford can and, as you know, the costs are much less as well and they don't take enormous amounts up front. It might be worth raising these points with your funders.
Joined: Apr 2012
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 400
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From: UK
Looking at the economy I reckon it's not a good time to start commercial pilot training in Europe full-stop. It looks like we're about to have a major cost-of-living crisis resulting in a recession and since flying for both leisure and business is discretionary, people will cut back on flights.
If have the funds for integrated training, then it's worth looking at a tagged scheme, though most of these involve the MPL licence which has its own pitfalls.
The only place in the Western world where it appears to be a decent time to start at commercial flying career at the moment is the US, where there is a current pilot shortage.
Edited to add:
Modular training spread over a few years may still be worth it, so long as you take it slowly. If you do go down this route, make sure you pay as you fly, as has already been suggested never pay large amounts upfront. Regarding integrated training, a lot of the training schools have relied on parents remortgaging their homes to support the career aspirations of their offspring. If mortgage rates keep rising, this part of the supply to the inetgrated flight schools may well dry up.
If have the funds for integrated training, then it's worth looking at a tagged scheme, though most of these involve the MPL licence which has its own pitfalls.
The only place in the Western world where it appears to be a decent time to start at commercial flying career at the moment is the US, where there is a current pilot shortage.
Edited to add:
Modular training spread over a few years may still be worth it, so long as you take it slowly. If you do go down this route, make sure you pay as you fly, as has already been suggested never pay large amounts upfront. Regarding integrated training, a lot of the training schools have relied on parents remortgaging their homes to support the career aspirations of their offspring. If mortgage rates keep rising, this part of the supply to the inetgrated flight schools may well dry up.
Last edited by Chris the Robot; 14th October 2022 at 13:33.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 326
From: Hong Kong
There's a common misconception that modular takes longer. This is nonsense - the flexibility actually means you can get a fATPL in a shorter time than integrated if you study and fly your ass off. If its employability that's the concern then why not take that integrated budget and get dual rated?
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 91
From: Somewhere
To add:
Your best bet is to be on an airline tagged scheme if going down the integrated route, that however has its pitfalls as we’ve often seen and more so now with the current financial situation. Integrated is nothing more than marketing, a licence is a licence. The training quality is more important and that’s not necessarily better at larger ATOs. Networking is your best friend.
Good luck.
Your best bet is to be on an airline tagged scheme if going down the integrated route, that however has its pitfalls as we’ve often seen and more so now with the current financial situation. Integrated is nothing more than marketing, a licence is a licence. The training quality is more important and that’s not necessarily better at larger ATOs. Networking is your best friend.
Good luck.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
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From: London
Thanks all for the input, based on the above I'll probably end up at FTE - I have heard good things about their training.
I believe there is scope to get a dual licence there at no extra cost, but I'd have to look up how many airlines that accept only EASA ATPLs would actually accept UK citizens without the right to work in the EU - I dare say it's highly likely I'll end up at a standard low cost carrier in the UK like every other British low hour fATPL out there, so the lack of an EASA ATPL might not kill me.
In answer to the statements about what my family knows, the answer is not enough, but I am confident that they would not be prepared to fund 75% of modular training despite the savings and nothing would convince them, because to them integrated is more akin to a degree (I know it's an identical licence at the end) and they are from the walk of life where that is more important than anything else - money is not their concern. In other words, I can assure you that you are flogging a dead horse if the aim is to get me to convince them to fund modular training!
If things still look terrible for pilot recruitment in 18 months because of the cost of living crisis when I graduate, I can always become an engineer and wait; unless someone knows something I don't I highly doubt I'm throwing my life away doing an integrated over a modular path at the start of next year.
I've always wondered how far networking can get me what with everything being standardised assessment centres and interviews nowadays but I do know a few people at easyJet so with any luck that may help my cause!
I believe there is scope to get a dual licence there at no extra cost, but I'd have to look up how many airlines that accept only EASA ATPLs would actually accept UK citizens without the right to work in the EU - I dare say it's highly likely I'll end up at a standard low cost carrier in the UK like every other British low hour fATPL out there, so the lack of an EASA ATPL might not kill me.
In answer to the statements about what my family knows, the answer is not enough, but I am confident that they would not be prepared to fund 75% of modular training despite the savings and nothing would convince them, because to them integrated is more akin to a degree (I know it's an identical licence at the end) and they are from the walk of life where that is more important than anything else - money is not their concern. In other words, I can assure you that you are flogging a dead horse if the aim is to get me to convince them to fund modular training!
If things still look terrible for pilot recruitment in 18 months because of the cost of living crisis when I graduate, I can always become an engineer and wait; unless someone knows something I don't I highly doubt I'm throwing my life away doing an integrated over a modular path at the start of next year.
I've always wondered how far networking can get me what with everything being standardised assessment centres and interviews nowadays but I do know a few people at easyJet so with any luck that may help my cause!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 68
From: London
A key point to note is who you want to work for at the end of it.
easyJet and CAE are pretty hand in hand but they have also taken from L3 recently. Haven’t heard of them taking any FTE students.
As mentioned go for both EASA and U.K. licences if you can, this will keep the door open to go to Ryanair.
Of course there are more places to go than ezy/ryr but these are the two big frequent hirers and the most likely way to the RHS.
Also to be honest there’s no good/bad time to start training, you’re going to have Atleast an 18-24 month lead time and as the past few years have shown anything can happen.
easyJet and CAE are pretty hand in hand but they have also taken from L3 recently. Haven’t heard of them taking any FTE students.
As mentioned go for both EASA and U.K. licences if you can, this will keep the door open to go to Ryanair.
Of course there are more places to go than ezy/ryr but these are the two big frequent hirers and the most likely way to the RHS.
Also to be honest there’s no good/bad time to start training, you’re going to have Atleast an 18-24 month lead time and as the past few years have shown anything can happen.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: London
A key point to note is who you want to work for at the end of it.
easyJet and CAE are pretty hand in hand but they have also taken from L3 recently. Haven’t heard of them taking any FTE students.
As mentioned go for both EASA and U.K. licences if you can, this will keep the door open to go to Ryanair.
Of course there are more places to go than ezy/ryr but these are the two big frequent hirers and the most likely way to the RHS.
Also to be honest there’s no good/bad time to start training, you’re going to have Atleast an 18-24 month lead time and as the past few years have shown anything can happen.
easyJet and CAE are pretty hand in hand but they have also taken from L3 recently. Haven’t heard of them taking any FTE students.
As mentioned go for both EASA and U.K. licences if you can, this will keep the door open to go to Ryanair.
Of course there are more places to go than ezy/ryr but these are the two big frequent hirers and the most likely way to the RHS.
Also to be honest there’s no good/bad time to start training, you’re going to have Atleast an 18-24 month lead time and as the past few years have shown anything can happen.
The whole 'a licence is a licence' thing was mentioned so I'm not quite sure whether CAE actually gives a tangible advantage insofar as easyjet is concerned, but I guess training next to the MPLs must confer something.
I would have gone for the easyJet MPL but, without wishing to sound too cynical, I don't want to be shafted if easyJet decide they can't afford to take on all their graduates or enter financial troubles before I hit 1500hrs - whether my cynicism is misplaced or not I don't know but the two things I see often here are modular good (which I know, but can't do) and MPL bad (which I know, and can avoid)!
If we take it from the perspective of "I want to work for easyJet" which is somewhat accurate, would you say CAE is the wiser choice regardless of whether FTE provided better training?
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 587
Likes: 60
From: FLSomething
Just looking for any perspectives here: engineering graduate in the UK (fallback!), I hold offers to both CAE (Gatwick) and FTEJerez for their fATPL programmes and I'm wondering whether anyone has anything good or bad to say about either of them.
Before someone chimes in with modular is cheaper; the funding I have is about 75% from the family who would much rather see me on an integrated course despite the financial ramifications.
Any input or recommendations are appreciated as always
Before someone chimes in with modular is cheaper; the funding I have is about 75% from the family who would much rather see me on an integrated course despite the financial ramifications.
Any input or recommendations are appreciated as always
As excellent and respected posters have said (when Alex Whittingham replies, listen) already, integrated schools risk becoming a bit of a pyramid scheme with regards to their financial bedrock. It all collapses and you’re in a far worse position being integrated than modular.
You are in a sausage factory if you go integrated, the last thing you want in the current climate is to have your licence issue date controlled by the school. Go modular and you can control it, you want to be able to time it when the jobs are, as they are now, finally re-emerging.
If it’s just arrogance then, ultimately, at least it’s mostly their money they’re wasting and not yours.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 91
From: Somewhere
The easyjet/CAE thing is a good point given I live next to Gatwick so I would aim to start my career with them to be honest
If we take it from the perspective of "I want to work for easyJet" which is somewhat accurate, would you say CAE is the wiser choice regardless of whether FTE provided better training?
If we take it from the perspective of "I want to work for easyJet" which is somewhat accurate, would you say CAE is the wiser choice regardless of whether FTE provided better training?
Re EASA/U.K. and low houred U.K. jobs: be aware you only have two real options in the U.K. presently and one of those requires an easa licence (Ryanair), they do not accept U.K. licences. The only other option would be Wizz and they require a U.K. licence.
Last edited by Contact Approach; 15th October 2022 at 10:35.
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 84
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From: The north
I believe there is scope to get a dual licence there at no extra cost, but I'd have to look up how many airlines that accept only EASA ATPLs would actually accept UK citizens without the right to work in the EU - I dare say it's highly likely I'll end up at a standard low cost carrier in the UK like every other British low hour fATPL out there, so the lack of an EASA ATPL might not kill me.
Have you got your class 1 yet? worth thinking about getting both CAA and EASA class 1 initial if you're looking to obtain both licences
