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?