FTA Global
 

Hello there,

I wonder if anybody could help please.

I am currently deciding which flight school to undergo an Integrated FATPL and so far I have looked at both CAE in Oxford, and FTA Global in Shoreham.

Having searched the forum I have found numerous threads about FTA asking about the quality of the school with limited response, I was just wondering if anybody reading this could help me out and point me in the right direction please?! Ideally somebody who has completed the FTA integrated 'flight deck' programme and has now landed a job.

There employment statistics seem very impressive with apparently 94% of their students having a job as a pilot within a year.

My question is as FTA is closer to me within commuting distance, and the fact that it is considerably cheaper than CAE even before you add on accommodation and travel costs, would FTA be the better place for me?

Thanks for looking and I look forward to your responses!

Kind Regards,

Oscar

" apparently 94% of their students having a job as a pilot within a year "

Be careful of believing the hype. CTC used to claim that 98% of their students got employed within a year, but upon closer inspection it was 98% of a very small number of specific cadets on specific courses.

Modular or intergrated
 

Hi,

Like every aspiring pilot, I have a question regarding which route to take, based on the which route will have the higher chances of actually landing a job. Time isn't an issue with me, therefore ideally I'd be up or going Modular route. However, just the stories you hear that the majority of airlines prefer those that went Integrated ( especially bigger ones), so that's what puts me off.

I can go either way really. However, integrated I'd need to save up 4/5 years before I can apply to schools. Just downside is obviously the huge cost. Despite this, I'm willing to save up, and fork out that amount, if it increases my chances a lot of landing a job rather quickly once on finishing ( due to ties which fight schools have with airlines). Just before this route, I'll actually need to save up the money...

At the same time, I'm also considering Modular. As with this option, I can actually start my training a lot sooner, from this year ( as opposed to waiting 4/5 years). And to be honest, by the time I'd have saved up enough to go integrated, I'd probably have become qualified to become a commercial pilot ( complete all training) through Modular. This, plus the fact that it will be far cheaper, is what leads me to this direction.

However, just the likeness of actually getting a job, after qualifying via Modular route - is what holds me back.

So really just seeking advice of the best route. Anyone who studied through modular and actually landed roles care to share their opinion?

Thanks :)

Go for the quickest route. It's a very cyclical industry. Every year you delay makes your career a year shorter. That's a year you don't spend as a senior captain making a senior captains salary...

Which for me would probably be Modular...But job prospects via modular? is it the same as Integrated route...?

Recomendations for MODULAR CPL/IR/ME schools
 

Hi there,

I am currently enrolled in a modular flight school that shall remain nameless for now. I am not too happy with them as they provide very little information and do not answer questions. I have finished my ATPL exams and right now im in the lovley phase of just gathering hours til i can start the CPL.

Is there anyone here that can recomend a good modular european flight school?
Do airlines pay attention to what flight school you did your training at? As in, is it of significant value if your records say CAE or something else instead?

A specific and sticky situation
 

Hi all,

I am a 17 year old British citizen who currently lives in the United States. I've been wanting to become a pilot for as long as I can remember, and I am currently attempting to examine all pathways available to me since my residence is not permanent in the USA - I do not have a Green card, or citizenship here. Because of this, I would like to return to the UK to do flight training, but the options all seem to have varying pros and cons, and I am struggling to make sense of the intricacies and weird little caveats everywhere - that is certainly one thing the US seems to do better, flight training! I was wondering if I could perhaps receive any kind of advice from you all.

The pathways I have identified are the following:

1.) Return to the UK, do the integrated ATPL/MPL with L3 Airline Academy, and slap on the Middlesex University degree on the side.
Pros:
- Seemingly easier and wider opportunities for employment with a major airline
- All the "components" required are all done quickly in one course
- The Flight Training seems to take a relatively shorter time (18 months is the timeframe they have stated, though I have read on here lately that there are delays of sorts occurring too, not sure if that would still be relevant to me as someone who would start next autumn).
Cons:
- Cost. 100,000 pounds is not a small sum at all. While we could pay this off, I'm worried that this is an overly inflated cost that does not provide a true value for what you are provided.
- (Lack of) reputation. I have heard horror stories about L3 being a scam, and delaying training for up to a year for certain students. I do not want to sink 100,000 pounds into what is described as a ponzi scheme by certain people.
- (Lack of) flying experience. Their programs seem to have a great emphasis on streamlining the training process to cut out a lot of parts of professional development and piloting skills, such as flying aircraft solo and actually attaining relevant licenses.

2.) Return to the UK, attend a Uni that offers Aviation studies, such as Kingston University or Bucks New University
Pros:
- My predicted and attained grades are more than enough to attend these places.
- They offer to take up students to an fATPL in three years, and graduates seem to achieve employment with decent airlines.
- They offer better conceptual understanding and a wider education, such as knowledge about the airline industry as a whole and management techniques.
Cons:
- When I say "My predicted and attained grades are more than enough to attend these places" - I mean they are far higher than what is demanded from these unis. I can apply to far superior unis than Kingston or BNU, and I am worried that they have low required grades for a reason; perhaps their facilities or teaching is subpar compared to others, and I want to go a good university that is both recognised and academically interesting.
- Cost. It is just as expensive as doing L3+Middlesex.

And finally, 3.) Go to a better University, get a degree in something unrelated to aviation (leaning towards doing something in Business, personally), then pursuing flight training after graduating and doing it with either an integrated or modular programme. (Bear in mind that I will hold an FAA PPL before I go off to uni in the UK, so I will look to be converting it there so it's one less year of Flight training I need to do.)
Pros:
- A better uni experience, as I can apply to Russell Group unis with my current predicted grades, and get a strong degree in something else as a "fallback" in the case that aviation doesn't work out for me in the future.
- Lower costs. I can get local fees in the UK (and in Scotland) and can apply for student support, making uni relatively cheap for me. I will also try to convert my FAA PPL to an EASA PPL, lowering training costs there. If I do a modular programme, it can cost up to 40,000 pounds less than what it may cost if I did it with the other two pathways.
- Higher employability. I'm sure airlines appreciate good degrees, after all.
Cons:
- Modular programmes - I'm currently trying to look into them, but good modular programmes in the UK seem few and far between. I cannot find many Flight schools in the UK that go beyond PPLs - perhaps I am not looking hard enough. I would appreciate some suggestions on this.
- More time taken - to get a degree, it may take 3/4 years, and then an additional year on top of that to get my further qualifications to fly.


Am I missing any additional pros and cons? Please let me know :)

So given these three pathways, what is the most adviseable one, in all of your opinions?

Making decision around route/school
 

Hi folks

I am around 20ish hours into my PPL and considering next steps in terms of my flying. I currently have a non aviation related management related career. When starting my flying it was just a hobby and I was just planning on carrying on with my current career . However the more i fly the more im starting to realise that I enjoy it far too much not to pursue it as a career. However, my problem is that I feel overwhelmed with choice/the weight of making the right decision in terms of flight school/route (integrated/modular) to take. I am in the really fortunate position that funding is not an issue but just feel unable to take the next step due to this indecision, this is also linked to the fact it means turning my life on its head. (Sell house/get rid of car/turn back on current career)

Just wondered if anyone who has been in this position could share how they made the choice? Also any people with experience of making these big life/career changes to pursue their flying and how they eventually got to the point of making the decision just to go for it?!

Goatea999,
Sort of in the same position as you a few years ago. I would go modular since you keep the hard won economic security that you have built up over the years, and you can bail from either your job or the training at any time if you need. Staying modular, you do not need to sell anything since you will still have a cash flow from your present job.

Hello,

I'm looking to do my flight training abroad and have some questions which I can't find the answer to anywhere on the internet its to do with modular but if needs moving to a different thread it can be.

1) What is the process like converting from an ICAO to an EASA for PPL CPL ME IR, what are the costs involved and any recommendations?

2) If I do my ATPL and MCC in the UK what licence do I get?

4) What are the benefits of converting to an EASA?

5) Will I need to continue to convert throughout my career depending on where I am flying or does a frozen ATPL allow to fly everywhere no matter where it is issued?

6) Any other information about conversion and licences.

Thank you so much if you do reply as I am rather confused at the moment, feel free to PM as well with information or other contact methods.

All good questions, all answered ten times over on this and other forums..

Hi, I started my search for a cadet program for me to join. I am new and have decided to look for an integrated program that will give me the best chances. The modular route I am not interested in. I saw the Aer Lingus program which I will apply for. Also I saw the Ryanair program with AFTA. The selection seems the same but not sure if Ryanair pays for the training. After the selection is there a job guarantee?

Intergrate
 

I don't think you have a job guarantee going through AFTA for Ryanair mentored programme as it says youll be trained by AFTA then youll have a final assessment from Ryanair and upon completion you will be accepted for a Ryanair mentored scheme.

I highly advise you go modular why such a rush to get into the flight deck ? You can get your licences for as little as 50k modular but sure you can get crippled by 100k loan repayments and intrest payments, then turn sour for the rest of your career. Food for thought


modular halil

final point: if you want to go intergrated go onto easy jets/ L3

The modular route I am not interested in

How very strange I wonder why not ?

Max, you pay €86000.00 for the course, plus exam accommodation etc so let's call it €120000.00 to be safe.
Then you have an assessment with Ryanair, if they offer you a job expect another €30 -40000 for the Type Rating and other costs.
intergrated could end up being €160000.00 quite a lot of money to fork out before you even earn a cent. Think very very hard. I doubt you.will, but I feel I should at least mention it.

it's only €160000 lets remorgage mum's house :ugh:

sounds like a plan, while we are at it let's repmorgage grans house as well.😬

I have been finding out that there are cadet schemes with a job guarantee and schemes without but they are advertised the same way ( or at least pretend to be the same). AFTA eventually were clear that there is no job if you do the Ryanair program but only an interview. If I go modular can I also apply with Ryanair? Would all students be having the same interview?

Ryanair require a report from your head of training at the flight schools you use and detailed reports, Ryanair are the biggest recruiter of modular students in Europe's since they swipe up the low hour cadets theyre mostly a stepping stone airline you do your TR then some go to the ME the type raiting bond is alright I think its a 5 year bond. Also they require really good ATPLpasses im not sure weather its all first time passes or how many re-takes have to be disclosed apparently people have been refused because of atpls.

ATPL ground school recommendations
 

At some point soon I'm going to take the plunge and start the next phase of my journey which will be ATPL ground school. Am looking at full-time over 6 months.

I've seen a few ground schools around, A few I have in mind are CAE Oxford, FTA, Stapleford and Skyborne. Does anyone have any recommendations on these ground schools? Or any others I should look at? I've done the whole spiel of speaking to them at events and contacting etc. But want to know anyone who has had experience with any of them, or able shed some light?

Yes. WHEN RYR is hiring, they will hire anyone that meets their standard regardless whether they did the modular or integrated route. I think they give preference now to cadets that have done the APSMCC, so if you want to really work for RYR then do the modular training route (plenty of options for around €60.000) plus the APSMCC. This APS MCC is quite a new thing and only Ryanair puts stock in this course ( it was supposedly developed by someone in Ryanair), all other operators just require the MCC/JOC, and I believe that during the next RYR hiring spree they will mostly hire standard MCC/JOC because there are only a few people that have the APS MCC. The market changes fast so best to take it one step at the time by going modular.

preach!:D

airlines only really care if you will fit in their environment and if you're successful in interviews! You still have the same licence in the end as an ab-nitio student! Theyre just in more debt and you could have more hours and better written exam results!

The modular route will get you into the cockpit eventually and the majority of people actually go down the modular route; despite what the marketing folks say.

My advice is to stick to modular schools only if you want to go down the modular route. If you are modular, don’t use an integrated school for any part of your training, because no matter what they promise you they will always prioritise the integrated cadets in terms of the training schedule.

When it comes to jobs however, all bets are off, the airlines treat everyone the same. They are employing you, investing in you, taking a risk on you and they only want the best candidates. Generally speaking, they don’t care how much you paid for your training, what school you came from or who you know. They only care if you are competent enough to bring 190 passengers and a $70 million dollar aircraft back in one piece.

Can anyone give me a realistic price of modular training in the uk, also a realistic time frame with a full time job, I am 34 and absolutely ready for the career change, I am currently a maintenance engineer in the automotive sector, and feel if I don’t do it now I will forever regret it any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Yeah you can. There are so many variables you should price it up yourself based on where you are prepared to travel to etc.. Price up PPL, night, 50 hours cross country, CBIR, MEP, MEIR add-on, 15 hour SE CPL and whatever extra hours you need to meet 200/100. Add in the cost of ATPLs and exams and flight tests. Bear in mind it may be cheaper to join a syndicate for hour building etc.

Prices
 

I havw the price sheet for aeros however im not sure how to share but they're in line with industry

depends if you have any dependants if not or they don't mind I recommend wings alliance/bartiloni in Poland you can get a dull frozen ATPL for just over 50k depending on your current licences, for example if you don't need a PPL and IR NR then you can get everything else for much less

fiddle about with this:https://wingsalliance.eu/training/pi...et-calculator/

the rate is how quick you can get it done each licence, I'd say no less than 2 years if you still want to be in full time employment. Hope this helps

Hello guys, its my first post here, can someone give me an actual feedback about MEP IR CPL program in either Poland,Hungary or Czech?

AspiringPilot28 I can't message you back as you've filled your quota - try deleting a few messages then tag me into your reply on here.

I did it at Bartolini 3 years ago and I was super happy. I would do it all over again, especially now that they are partners with Ryanair. It is a bit more expensive than other options in the area, but you get what you pay for. And it's still relatively cheaper than the rest of Europe.
LOT also like their trainees, especially if you speak Polish.

Hey man, it should be clear now. Cheers

AspiringPilot28 nope try clearing your inbox and sent items maybe

Advice/Feedback on Training needed urgently.
 

Hello everyone, a few months ago the future seemed very clear with how the aviation industry was.
However, due to obvious recent events this is no longer the case...
Therefore i need some advice and especially feedback from recent ATPL students.

A bit of context:
I am nearing the completion of my mandatory military service thus looking forward to going on to study. Applied to the CAE Generation easyJet programme a few months back and successfully passed all stages of the assessments.
This was in extremely close proximity to countries initiating their lock-down due to Covid-19 and thus i became worried that easyJet may cancel the MPL course. Lo and behold a couple of weeks after receiving the best news, i received the worst.
A letter from easyJet explaining why the programme will be 'suspended' at least for the time being (i think for a long long time personally). So, now with this new information i have to make a decision regarding the future.

CAE is high on my consideration at the moment as I have been offered a spot on their traditional Integrated ATPL course with a priority of transfer onto the Generation easyJet MPL if it happens to relaunch at any time during my Theory training (6-8 months).
Additionally CAE is a lucrative offer as they have the option of 'opting in' for parallel studies for a Bs(c) Hons in Air Transport Management. This is mixed in during various phases of the Integrated course and at the end upon graduation you have 300 out of 360 credits for the full Bs(c) Hons.
If I opt in i will definitely re-enroll to complete the degree and upgrade it to the full 360 credits. My thinking in choosing this route is that in approximately 2-2.5 years time i will have graduated and also have a degree as a backup/advantage in what could potentially be a very competitive hiring market. As well as having the option to go even further and study for a Masters if the industry is still at the earlier stages of recovery by the time I will have completed the ATPL.
COST: 90,000 GBP plus 5000 GBP for the degree. Additionally an average of 500 GBP per months for accommodation.

My only doubt regarding CAE is the various rumors/feedback floating around groups and forums about delays and or poor training due to Instructors coming and going rapidly. (perhaps the instructor situation will become more stable in light of corona and unemployment threat.)



The alternative option is FTA Global, as i have had some good feedback surrounding this school. The total cost purely for the ATPL will come around 78000 GBP, again with a similar or slightly cheaper cost of accommoddation (I imagine no cheaper than 400 GBP per month).
However if I follow this route there is no added element of the degree. I am also not entirely sure how their hiring aid fares upon graduation.


Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated, if anyone knows of other reputable academies with good feedback please let me know.
I have considered modular but Integrated seems to be the preferred course by airlines and I imagine there are benefits of having your whole training experience handled by one provider for the sake of continuity and smooth transitions.
I have decent grades from school and could potentially look into traditional University degrees but I am not sure i would be passionate enough about a subject that i have to find in a relatively short amount of time that is outside of aviation. As-well as the fact that for a lot of Universities i would not be able to apply for this academic year which would mean a major loss of time for me since i already had to spend time going through the mandatory military service.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope a positive and insightful discussion comes out of this.

Okay this has to be up there with the most ludicrous remarks such as "modular students are better than intergrated" and "im going to start my training right after a global pandemic"

You honestly think airlines care if you went intergrated or not you'll find jet time is more important...so save a but of money and go modular..on no website does it say "intergrated students preferred":ugh:

A degree would be useful, if you get made redundant or your airline goes up the drain, im sure many other fellows on here would agree...

I strongly suggest you have a look around the forum before publishing your diary.

I get it, you want to chase your dream. But come on mate, seriously considering CAE or any integrated school costing in excess of 100.000 GBP with for the forseeable future literally 0 chance of a job afterwards? You're betting against very small odds with your future weatlh on the line.
Are you aware that easyjet MPL cadets awaiting basetraining got their contracts cancelled due to aviation crisis? Please tell me that you were not. I fear it wouldn't matter anyway because " brr brr I go fly aeroplawne heheh brr brr nice pilotsuit, i want boeing a320 hgahe", am I right?

Please notice that starting a whitetail integrated fATPL during/shortly after COVID does not show any positive traits.

Why? because it shows a probability that:

• You are inclined to poor situational awareness
• You are highly susceptible to confirmation bias
• You haven't done a well founded research before making a decision with possibly major consequences
• You are willing to gamble against very small odds with a possibly major consequences

I am not here to burn you down, but by looking at your previous post you tick atleast a few of the points listed above.

Just consider it as a warning, the financial burden is a hard one to carry for the rest of your life, even more so if as a binman.
Go back to the drawing board. Read aviation forums, enquire on facebook groups, do NOT take out a loan, consider modular, get a few PPL lessons, this forum is filled with sound advice --> don't only read the things that you'd like to hear.

I agree with Modular Halil about a degree, but please enquire about the job possibilities with that particular degree, as I have heard some say it is gimmick, but I dont know wether that is true.

For your first point I wasnt explicitly aware that those students in the final stages had been terminated but figured so, an MPL definitely wouldnt be something id go for in the current state of the industry.

Secondly the reason i made this post is because i have major doubts regarding starting an integrated or any course now because as you say it is quite risky. However the biggest reason for even considering a school like CAE would be the possible advantage created by having gained a degree. That being said another reason to go modular would be the fact that i have a PPL and it would be pretty much redundant with the integrated ATPL.

Ontop of that looking at recent trends of traffic etc, the industry is slowly picking up. For example the domestic market in China has shown some very positive trends, could be viewed as a model as to how recovery may take its course in the EU for example.

Starting during these times could be viewed as a risk so less students overall will go for it meaning training could possibly come cheaper overall. Additionally do you really think the industry will be at these extremely low levels for more than 3-5 years? And if a second Covid wave hits it wont just be the aviation industry in major trouble and that will have no job prospects...

That being said, im still considering following another path something other than aviation, however I know for sure that if the industry recovers faster than expected i will regret the decision and want to take the aviation path as soon as i can. Thus possibly another financial burden or wasted money on another plan. The industry will definitely rise to pre-covid levels and even higher in time. World population is growing and people will always want to travel whether thats for business, pleasure or other reasons. On top of that, a first job during such times wont necessarily be in a big jet, there's a lot of opportunities in many sectors of the industry which provide useful experience and could potentially set you up for a job in the airlines as they recover. I think overall its better to invest and put effort into something are highly driven in rather than half heartedly go through a degree which doesnt necessarily make you tick, only to graduate and work a job dishing out very average or often below average wages when you can at least be working in the field you want even if initially the pay isnt the greatest.

All of that being said I havent pulled the trigger yet just exploring my options and all discussions like these have some positive come out of them, so thanks for taking the time to reply.

https://www.pprune.org/professional-...-2020-a-9.html

Read this. Airlines are still getting rid of peopel and you think you'll get a job even for a small company? Doubt it, mate dont do it you have a PPL go modular. Sky-blue summed it up really well.

Thanks for clearing that up, it seems as if you have tought about it. However I can still sense an considerable amount of (here we go again) confirmation bias in your reply.

In my opinion AT LEAST 3-5 years, but noone knows and I don't pretend that I do. By looking at the past we can only hope for 3-5 years. Please remember that COVID is not only hitting the airlines, but the global economy.
If you don't take it from me please subscribe yourself to the 'european airline pilots' facebook group, there is a large amount of senior captains talking about unseen and unprecedented never seen before in their career doubting they will ever fly again. (now driving delivery trucks btw, should be a red flag for you to get a degree!)

[source required]:}
It would be wise to abstain yourself from these gutfeelings as it based on thin air. As you have already displayed by writing something among the lines of 'integrated is preferred by airlines', stick to the facts mate you sound like a amateur psychologist crossbred with a fortune teller.

Your train of tought is EXACTLY the kind of peak confirmation bias which tends to get newbies into trouble. I don't where you get it from, is it from the flightschool ads or u-tube pilots? In both cases they only care about maintaining their business, wether it is by selling you snakeoil or not.

How about whole heartedly going trough a degree which makes you tick, only to graduate and work an unrelated job at minimum wage with no perspective of the getting the job you studied for. It is sad but this was the reality post 2008 for a LONG time.

You will probably think 'oh well so what, doesn't matter for how long I will have to wait, as long as I get to brrrr fly the plane brrr brr.
Washing dishes or driving around in a Tesco truck for 40h per week at minimum wage, living at your parents' only to spend the majority of your pay on your loan's interest. it will make 1 year seem like an eternity, let alone 2-3-4-5 years. You will quite literally become a voluntary wageslave.

Come on mate, why do you even consider integrated? Besides the no job and very very overpriced story, why would you even consider piping down a further 15k worth of ppl time for nothing? Get a degree and if you want to fly, start your ATPL theory. Life isn't always about fun you know, sometimes the hard way is the right way.

Basing on you're post you're quite young and I presume that you don't have the required money yourself.
It is none of my business and you're free to spend your money as you like, just make sure that you don't take others down with you (parents etc) in order for you to fulfill your needs of brr brr fly aeroplane.

I have read endless stories of parents / family shelling out the money for their precious son to make his dreams come true, without further researching the matter themselves and blindly trusting the flightschools great promises, only to have their little boy live as a depressed ghost in their basement, hiding from the debt collector while dad and mum pay off the biggest part of his interests.

African_TrouserSnake

hear! hear!...OP if what you're coming here for is to have people agree with you and fuel your Mindest and approve your choices for choosing an easyjet mpl then you're in the wrong place...