USA journey?
 

Hello, I'm 18 and a half I'm based in Ireland.

I've wanted to be a pilot since i was 8 and an Aer Lingus captain showed me inside a cockpit since then its all I've wanted to be.

I've looked at Oxford Aviation and done the entrance exam which i was accepted, but i hated it, didn't click wasn't a place id feel comfortable learning. Ive looked at CTC and had the same feeling.

I'm currently looking to do an EASA/FAA course out of Aerosim Sanford Florida, it'll offer me both an FAA and JAA/EASA license and an ATPL after I've all my training over i intend to pay CAE their 28,000 euro fee and work for RyanAir for a few years anyway.

Ive family friends work for Ryanair and done it that way and also others for Aer Lingus, BMI and Fly Emirates currently and an uncle who was in the RAF, but no one has ever done the 'USA journey' could someone offer me their advice. Thanks

I'm also 18 and embarking on the same path as you I'm going to national aviation academy in florida later this year

Why don't you feel 'comfortable' with a recognised training outfit?

What 'part' of CTC or Oxford Aviation do you not feel comfortable with?

Having someone in the 'industry' is irrelevant when it comes to training.

If you want meaningful, targeted advice then you need to say what the issue with the training providers stated is otherwise it's all guesswork.

AFAIK ab-initio training is pretty generic across the board for ATPL students irrelevant of which continent you are on, it's only the cost that varies.

A few bits of advice:-


(1) Put your question in the title of a post

(2) Ryanair will decide whether you work for them, not the other way around by and large.

(3) Do a PPL first to work out if you have the aptitude and enthusiasm to be a pilot first, and to give you a reasonable knowledge base to start from.

FR are pretty strict on their recruits. It's not a matter of just buying a job with them.

Check out the Ryanair sim check/assessment thread on here and you will see.

I went through the USA and it worked for me but it was really just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

If I had the money and my time again I would go for the big three schools, all of which have very good ties. I may not agree with their approach business and what they have done to the industry, but in many cases it is the only way in.

Hey there,

You're lucky to be based in Ireland, as Aer Lingus has just launched their cadet pilot training program. It's a promising program at FTE that covers 75% of the costs! If I were you I would apply and give it a go!

I think you'd be mad not to look at the Aer Lingus cadetship, which has just gone live.

cadet-pilots - Aer Lingus Careers

Whatever route you go down, if you want to work for an airline you're going to need to get selected at some point. I don't think I know anyone who wouldn't rather be selected before they commence training, rather than after. Life at FTE is pretty good, too!

Ultimately you'll be undertaking the same course elements wherever you train.

Good luck whatever you decide.

fa2fi is right, unfortunately. In aviation you learn fast that pragmatism is an asset and if you want in, you have to play the game by their rules. Training in the US used to be the only game in town for most people but that's done a complete 180 now as the European training industry quite understandably wanted their fair share of the pie and made some bold moves to make it happen starting about 15 years ago.
There is a wonderful history and culture of flying and some outstanding schools in North America, not to mention the opportunity to fly in a wide variety of airspace and conditions but what matters is the right piece of paper and the right connections. At 18 you can probably afford to make that mistake at least once but it's best to avoid it completely. Whatever you do, don't just get FAA certs with the intention of converting later, that will prove to be more problematic than you can imagine.
My advice, get educated.....get a degree and make and save as much money as you can, then when you have enough money go to one of the "big 3" schools. If it all falls apart for some reason you'll still have a degree.

This is hard won advice coming from someone who made all the wrong choices my friend. I'd like to think that someone can benefit from that, the silver lining so to speak.

It just didn't click in those organisations, nothing to do with the training i'm well aware its off a high standard I've had family members train there it wasn't an environment i'd feel comfortable in. I've also looked at the Aer Lingus course and got past the first round, but i do need a back up plan. i'd be very very naive to just expect to be selected.

I was for doing the Aerosim course that provides both FAA and EASA/JAA licenses including the ATPL MCC and JOC part done in Belgium, i'm also doing up set recovery training and a jet transition course with an A320 type rating.

Aero- Sim
 

Does anyone have any thoughts on the FAA and JAA/EASA offered by Aerosim in Florida?

Is Aerosim an approved ATO by EASA? I don't know if they need it as they are part of Belgium Flight School.

I'm really interested in this topic.

Aerosim is not approved by EASA!not sure about whether they need it or not.Why dont you give EFT in florida a look?pretty good school with inhhouse EASA examiners.

Those organisations are designed to emulate the airline working environment. I think that perhaps you need to learn learn to adapt and fit in before spending more money on training.

AND do a PPL before committing to professional training.