Modular ATPL Success (or failure!) Stories

[Jobon]

Please share with us your modular ATPL success stories.

I’d love to hear everything you went through to achieve your aim. The specific path you took, countries you trained in, struggles and adversity that you went though to finally achieve your subjective ‘success’. And of course what that success now looks like. Does it look the same as what you first imagined when you spent ££ at your first ATO?

P.S. I appreciate there are similar threads but nothing that specifically highlighted success stories that could inspire those considering this route. Thank you!

[jordon1703]

If it can be me, it can also be you!

Hi Jobon,

I have been on the modular route for over 7 years now. I began my PPL in 2018 and most recently finished my APS MCC in August last year. It is always a challenging journey (for anyone) and there are plenty of moments on the way that really do leave you wondering whether or not you are going to make it.

I come from a poorer background, we always had what we needed growing up but, living in a fairly affluent area and going to school filled with affluent kids, it never felt like a career in the flight deck was attainable to me. I left school before I completed my A levels in 2016 - they weren't the right choice for me at the time, I was young and not ready particularly ready to learn, looking back I probably wasn't ready for the level of commitment the fATPL demands. I started working as a full time HGV driver after getting my license aged 18, it's safe to say I enjoyed the job initially, it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to do long term, but it was paying me good money and I was learning along the way. I had an ex-girlfriend at the time who planted the seed within me that modular training might actually be financially achievable. I started researching properly and began my PPL in 2018, with the aim of being job-ready sometime in 2021.

Then COVID happened...

There was a large worldwide pandemic right around the year 2020 (remember? ) which hit right at the end of my first attempt at ATPL theory, putting a real spanner in the works. I decided to put my training on hold knowing that timing was key if I was to complete training and give me the best chance to get a job. It took a couple of years the recoup as I worked and flew for fun on the side. I made the decision to self study for an A level in Chemistry during my down time. Not only was it a great way to pass the time, but I also saw it as an opportunity to better myself, develop skills and motivation, and prove to future employers that I was serious about development - which is so important in aviation!

I always knew I would come back to aviation, it was just a matter of time. What I didn’t escape was having to resit all my ATPL exams once the COVID extensions expired. In 2023, I started again from scratch. I was working 55 hour weeks, commuting to/from work, running my home alone, and studying whenever I could. Looking back, I’m honestly not sure how I managed it. I guess it was the pure regret I know I'd have if I left it at my first attempt in 2019/2020. Funding the CPL/MEIR was the next major hurdle. The only realistic way I could do it was to move out of my flat (I ended up renting it to my sister) and the plan was for me to move home back with my parents so I could afford the training. That plan never came to fruition, in the end my girlfriend purchased her own home and I ended up moving in with her.

I trained for my CPL MEIR as Stapleford SFC. The CPL wasn't all that enjoyable in my opinion, definitely not my type of flying. However, when it came to the MEIR, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I remember that first time talking to London Control and thinking I'd made it... only to quickly realise I still had a long way to go. I went straight into the APS MCC in June/July 2025 at CRM Aviation in White Waltham, which quite literally drained the last of my funds. Paying that final invoice was painful.

I’m very happy to say that after a seven-month application process, I secured a position with Jet2 at the start of this year and will begin my 737 type rating in April.

A couple of things I have learnt... Firstly, is that not being on the same path as others, and even stepping away from training for a significant period, doesn't mean failure. Coming back from those pauses became part of my journey and a real show of the resilience and dedication that I have. I’ve also proven to myself that this career is achievable, regardless of background, if you’re willing to accept the sacrifices, commitment, and consequences that come with it. The road to the flight deck isn’t glamorous, but it is absolutely possible.

[Chris the Robot]

Originally Posted by jordon1703

Hi Jobon,

I have been on the modular route for over 7 years now. I began my PPL in 2018 and most recently finished my APS MCC in August last year. It is always a challenging journey (for anyone) and there are plenty of moments on the way that really do leave you wondering whether or not you are going to make it.

I come from a poorer background, we always had what we needed growing up but, living in a fairly affluent area and going to school filled with affluent kids, it never felt like a career in the flight deck was attainable to me. I left school before I completed my A levels in 2016 - they weren't the right choice for me at the time, I was young and not ready particularly ready to learn, looking back I probably wasn't ready for the level of commitment the fATPL demands. I started working as a full time HGV driver after getting my license aged 18, it's safe to say I enjoyed the job initially, it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to do long term, but it was paying me good money and I was learning along the way. I had an ex-girlfriend at the time who planted the seed within me that modular training might actually be financially achievable. I started researching properly and began my PPL in 2018, with the aim of being job-ready sometime in 2021.

Then COVID happened...

There was a large worldwide pandemic right around the year 2020 (remember? ) which hit right at the end of my first attempt at ATPL theory, putting a real spanner in the works. I decided to put my training on hold knowing that timing was key if I was to complete training and give me the best chance to get a job. It took a couple of years the recoup as I worked and flew for fun on the side. I made the decision to self study for an A level in Chemistry during my down time. Not only was it a great way to pass the time, but I also saw it as an opportunity to better myself, develop skills and motivation, and prove to future employers that I was serious about development - which is so important in aviation!

I always knew I would come back to aviation, it was just a matter of time. What I didn’t escape was having to resit all my ATPL exams once the COVID extensions expired. In 2023, I started again from scratch. I was working 55 hour weeks, commuting to/from work, running my home alone, and studying whenever I could. Looking back, I’m honestly not sure how I managed it. I guess it was the pure regret I know I'd have if I left it at my first attempt in 2019/2020. Funding the CPL/MEIR was the next major hurdle. The only realistic way I could do it was to move out of my flat (I ended up renting it to my sister) and the plan was for me to move home back with my parents so I could afford the training. That plan never came to fruition, in the end my girlfriend purchased her own home and I ended up moving in with her.

I trained for my CPL MEIR as Stapleford SFC. The CPL wasn't all that enjoyable in my opinion, definitely not my type of flying. However, when it came to the MEIR, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I remember that first time talking to London Control and thinking I'd made it... only to quickly realise I still had a long way to go. I went straight into the APS MCC in June/July 2025 at CRM Aviation in White Waltham, which quite literally drained the last of my funds. Paying that final invoice was painful.

I’m very happy to say that after a seven-month application process, I secured a position with Jet2 at the start of this year and will begin my 737 type rating in April.

A couple of things I have learnt... Firstly, is that not being on the same path as others, and even stepping away from training for a significant period, doesn't mean failure. Coming back from those pauses became part of my journey and a real show of the resilience and dedication that I have. I’ve also proven to myself that this career is achievable, regardless of background, if you’re willing to accept the sacrifices, commitment, and consequences that come with it. The road to the flight deck isn’t glamorous, but it is absolutely possible.

Congrats on being one of the few true self-funders to get in before 30. I wish I'd qualified a couple of years ago but was of the view that completed ATPL theory during full-time employment was impossible so held out for the cadet schemes. I'm doing the theory now and fingers-crossed should be finished by the summer but I'm thinking I might qualify into a recession so expecting the job search to be long and arduous. I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Like yourself, I'm coming from another safety-critical driving role, how much of an advantage did you feel it gave you during the recruitment process? Also, how did you find doing the CPL/ME/IR at Stapleford whilst working full-time? I'm looking to go there but they like to pair people with a single instructor which is good for consistency but a bit more challenging scheduling-wise.

[African_TrouserSnake]

I went the modular route on a budget in Eastern Europe. Finished at 29, and I’m now at my third airline job (legacy carrier).

The post-COVID pilot shortage pushed many airlines to lower the bar at the CV screening stage and invite most candidates meeting the basic requirements straight to assessment.
That gave a lot of us the chance to prove that flight school background, age, or previous education don’t automatically make someone a better or worse pilot.

I hope this mindset sticks around. Once the shortage starts to ease, recruitment will inevitably tighten again and raise the CV bar.

My key takeaway is that what really matters is your personality and your skills—the rest is secondary.