Advice needed on training courses
 

Hello,

I turn 18 next month and am looking at applying for training to become a pilot.
I was originally set to apply with CTC for the ATPL intergrated course, however I have also been looking at the viability of training in the United States, to gain the FAA Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine (CPL ME). With all the different training courses available I was just wondering if this will give me similar opportunities as to training in the UK, whereby I will be able to try and get a job with a UK based airline upon completion, or whether this will limit where I will be able to work. The reason I ask is because if the course is endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration in America, I wasn't sure whether it would be seen as equivalent to a UK qualification in this country. I have the financial backing to be able to apply to either, but with all the different paths to choose, I'm just getting a little bit overwhelmed! Any help or advice would be gratefully received, thank you in advance!

Generally speaking it is your right to work in a country that will limit you, rather than the licence you get.

If you have the right to work in the US, go for the FAA, if you only have the right to work in Europe then you'll be wanting to get an EASA licence.

I agree it can be overwhelming and difficult to understand. It's extremely difficult to find a job as a young pilot these days but the schools will never tell you that. It would ruin their business if people knew how many unemployed pilots there are.

I would advice to start out slow and get a PPL or learn to fly gliders. In the mean time you could study or get some work experience in other fields. This way you'll get in contact with aviation and can learn how the system works. You could at the same time get new contacts which could be useful if you later decide to go for a career in aviation.

So think hard before gambling on a integrated course. There are other options.