Thanks for all your response guys;

It really is a massive help, and you've given me lots of options other than CTC :ok:

Kind Regards

One of those situations..
 

Really enjoyed reading this thread. It's refreshing to hear a balanced opinion on the genuine pros and cons of each option. Most posts concentrate on the "I did it this way and that's the right way" mentality so I think it is important to read both arguments.

I am now 20hrs in on my ppl planning my first solo nav for next week. I am at SFC and very happy, but I'm sure if I'd gone to biggin or clacton I'd be progressing just the same albeit with a higher fuel bill to get there.

If cost weren't an issue of course I'd go integrated and probably at ctc as I hope to end up in the airlines but the truth is for the vast majority of people on here it is an issue, so I'll be working and paying for my modular, maybe with a trip to the US for hours building (incidentally any suggestions appreciated on this front - I'm looking at sunstate and sunquest aviation) while hoping BA do reopen FPP and look favourably upon someone who has already committed time and money to training.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I know most points have been made but I just want to stress that at your age modular is the best option. Yes, CTC and other big schools claim to get you in a jet, but how long do you want to fly a jet for?

Retirement age will probably be 70 years old when you come to it, so 50 odd years in a jet?

If you want to that's fine. My point is this: you don't need the extra 'promises' a huge integrated school will give you. You're incredibly young and if it takes you 5 years to get a job, so be it. You can spend the years building contacts and life experience.

And even if you do want the first job to be on a jet, Ryanair love young guys regardless of their school. And you can afford to buy a type rating (very crucial in this day and age, unfortunately) with the money you saved by going modular!

I went modular and never regretted it so maybe I'm biased, but think about it.

+1 for Stapleford.

P.s integrated pilots aren't better than modular pilots in any way, shape or form. The schools just want you think that by claiming to make you 'airline ready', although the reality is they do nothing different to what a modular school would.