PPRuNe Forums - Questions about education in Europe

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Questions about education in Europe

Hello.

My name is Cvetislav and I wanted to ask a couple of questions, regarding pilot education in Europe, since websites don't seem to help that much. In case you need a little bit more information about me, I'm currently 16 years old and i study in the German Language School in Sofia.

The main problem I'm currently having with the information I'm finding, is that it often varies. For example, the specific requirements to become an airline pilot. I have looked up many academies in Austria and Germany, where i most often see that i need ATPL and nothing else, but on the other hand, I have also spoken to a couple of cadets and pilots, and they are telling me, that PLL and SPL are the only certificates needed (not mentioning the medical exams).

The main questions I have are:
1. What are ALL of the specific requirements to becoming an airline pilot(certificates and so on).
2. Are cadet programs any cheaper than regular academies.
3. Is there a possibility to sigh a contract with an airline, so that they support me financially and after I finish my education, I can immediately start working for them.
4. Is there any way for the airline company to pay a portion of the costs, needed to complete education.

Kind Regards, Cvetislav.

1. You need either a fATPL or a MPL (a MPL is some sort of license which doesn't allow you to fly "small planes" after your studies until you reach a number of hours; you will only be certified to fly the planes of your company). A fATPL consists of PPL, CPL/ME/IR, MCC/JOC and your 14 ATPL exams.
2. It depends. Going modular will usually be the cheapest option. Cadet programs (usually MPLs) are often more expensive due to the fact that most airlines collaborate with expensive flight schools (L3, CAE, etc...).
3. Yes. You have cadet schemes who do support you financially. Take a look at the Lufthansa Flight School or the Wizz Air Pilot Academy.
4. Some airlines will pay for your type rating but you will be subject to a bond (leaving earlier = paying the difference).

Take this with a grain of salt, I am a "wannabe" myself.

In answer to your main points:

1. Although there are no formal qualifications necessary to obtain a professional licence, an airline sponsor most certainty does require at least sixth form subjects, if not a qualification in higher education.
So to be capable of passing the ATPL exams, a basic education is a prerequisite.
In the UK, that would translate into a minimum of 5 'O'/GCSE/NAT5 including Maths & English. Ideally Physics as a third subject and at least two other sensible acedemic subjects. Nothing remotely connected to "under water basket weaving" subjects. Then sixth form 'A' levels / Highers / AH preferably in science although not critical provided good grades (A or B) are achieved.

2. Integrated more expensive than the modular route: double the cost often quoted

3/4. Most unlikely in the civil world, although the military support education prior to adulthood.

Complete your education and then contemplate your options, unless the military route appeals to you.

4. You are dealing these days with beancounters, who know the cost of everything and the valuable of nothing.
The military route might offer this option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neufunk (Post 10504855)

1. So, can we practicly say that different airlines may require different levels of education and/or sertificates? Also, since fATPL consists of other sertificates such as PPL, CPL and so on, can I get each one, or at least most of them individually and still get fATPL?
2. Huh. That's really weird because I spoke to some pilots and they advised me to look up those cadet programs, not only because they are cheaper, but because they solve another problem of mine, that is you don't get a 100% guarantee that you will get hired by an airline even though you meet the requirements. By what I learned, when signing up to a cadet program you also sign a contract with a spesific airline, so that you have to work for them afterwards. Is that statement true?
3. I definitely will, thank you very much :).
4. So let me get this right, if I sign a contract stating, that I have to work for Wizz Air for 5 years per say, but on the 3rd I decide to switch, they will fine me?

Thank you so much again for the valuable information and I will be waiting for your reply. 🙂

Ps: this message may appear a little weird because I'm writhing it from my phone and not my computer. Sorry about that.

1. Yes, but probably not the way you think they do. Airlines either have ab-initio cadet programs, (through which a person with no licenses at all goes on to usually obtain a MPL in order to work for the company), or they have "NTR Cadet" job openings, which means that they are looking for people with a fATPL. If you want to go in as a "NTR Cadet", you'll have to get the fATPL on your own. You can get a fATPL on your own, but for a MPL you need an airline to support you.
When getting a fATPL, you always get your licenses individually (look at them as four big chunks: PPL, ATPL theory, CPL/IR/ME, MCC/JOC). The difference between modular and integrated is that, when going modular, you can take a pause between the licenses. When going integrated, you will do them all one after another. The modular path is thus more flexible. Modular also means that you can get a PPL from school X and the CPL/ME/IR from school Y, while integrated means you get them all from one school.
2. Most cadet programs aren't cheaper. There are some programs which are easier to pay, but not cheaper. Take the Wizz one as an example. You only have to pay 18/22k upfront, but they will deduct some 40/50k from your salary while working for them. Your total will be around 60/70k, which is more expensive than the modular route, but it is more affordable because you only have to pay 18k upfront. Job security is indeed a great advantage and sometimes it is worth the cost difference, but this is subjective. The statement is true. You will usually have to work a few years for the company. Leaving earlier means you have to pay the costs of your training.
4. They will not fine you. It is not a fine, they will just ask you to pay for your training.
After your training, they will give you a job and they will deduct the training costs from your salary. If you left earlier than previously agreed, they wouldn't have had enough time to deduct the whole amount. Therefore, you will be required to pay the difference.

Neufunk;

Hello.

Thank you so much for the help. Today I'm meeting up with a pilot and I will ask him some questions. If I come across something I don't quite understand, I will come back to this thread.