Ryanaf,

If you are going to go modular, I would suggest having a chat with either Bristol GS or CAPT first. Not got anything against CTC- their Integrated package is probably one of the best worldwide, but the other 2 G/S providers are fantastic for the modular route. They also have great modular flight school contacts. Good luck.

Thanks guys. I'll add Cranfield to the list too.

The reason I was looking at CTC for modular is simply for their reputation in the industry. I've visited their facilities and found the staff to be very helpful. All modular students have the option of post CPL assessment to joint their employment pool which is a big draw. Having someone like CTC almost fighting your corner and trying to place you into work (successfully or not) seems a good investment.

Of course doing it for a fraction of the price is an option too. I'm not fully versed in how the industry works yet, and how to apply for jobs etc so I'm a little naive to say the least.

I wouldn't recommend Cyprus for hours building without more research. It is a small island with only two airfields which are reasonably close to each other. The haze layer in summer also provides no visual horizon. This old thread reveals more concerns, but may be out of date.

Bristol GS are part of the Wings Alliance, which may be of significant interest when considering contacts, links, flight schools etc. Phil at CAPT is also very well connected in this respect. CTC are world-class, no doubt about it, but there are other modular options as discussed above.

Thanks guys for the help, much appreciated. I decided to have a trial lesson at Turweston and then I'll probably visit Stapleford. So many to choose from, those 2 are on the approved list with the CAA so I suppose the key is finding an instructor that I gel with.

Whatever became of the OP, artie711. It would have been a courtesy for him to keep us posted, especially as his post was made a sticky.

Hasn't logged in under that ID since Oct 2014

Rob

Hi Ryanaf. Great to read your post. I`m in a very similar position to you in terms of age etc but not with the lots of time bit. In my mid 30`s and going for a PPL at Booker aviation in Wycombe and then ATPL (distance) at CTC and then CPL/IR with them too later. Cant help you with those flying schools you mentioned, sorry. Its good to know im not the only one taking that step. I wish you all the luck with it all.

Thanks Rob, best of luck too. Feel free to DM me with your email and keep in touch. It would be good to know someone else of a similar age who is starting out. Had my first trial fight yesterday in a Piper Warrior and loved it!

Advice please
 

Good day, everyone!

After having looked on this forum anonymously for a while, I decided to join so I can introduce myself and engage in conversation.

My name is Wanchi, I am a 32-year old female human rights lawyer from the Netherlands. Flying (fighter jets) was a dream when I was a kid but when my eyesight wasn't perfect anymore at age 10, I decided to work for a more just world. After having worked for the UN and understanding the realities of the systems we work through, I lost faith and no longer want to work in my field.
I decided to travel, which led me to skydiving, which led me back to my initial dream of flying again.

I would like to do my flight training, ab initio to CPL/CFI, preferably in the US. I would like to work as a bush pilot in Africa, Asia or South America.
I understand my plans are against all odds, but I want to give it everything I've got and see if I can get there. And if not now, when? I can always reassess how things are going after having obtained the PPL and decide then if I want to leave it at that or continue with the rest of the training.

I have contacted several schools. I liked FlightSafety Academy for their reputation, but the school only provided a standard email and is not responding to my questions unfortunately. Oxford Aviation seems to be good too, but they don't offer ab initio programmes.
So, after this bit of background, I would like to ask you advice with the following:
Which SEVP certified flight school do I go to? I prefer the south for the weather and somewhere where living is not too expensive. I will do it fulltime and want to eat, sleep, breathe aviation. Where do schools offer personal training rather than assembly line training? And where do they hire a majority of their graduated CFIs?

Looking forward to receiving some valuable input. Thanks in advance!

Robgarch, you seem to have it all mapped out well. How long should that take?

Glad you really enjoyed it and taking the initial steps to get going. Sure, that would be really good to stay in touch so please free free to DM too. Iv got my first one booked for this tuesday and met my instructor yesterday who seems like a good guy.

Thanks. It may sound like its mapped out but things keep changing in terms of where to do CPL and IR etc. My instructor put it really well when he said just concentrate on one thing at a time and then move on so that`s what i`m going to try.

Hello, everybody! I am from Ukraine, but I am going to start my 0-ATPL integrated program in Spain. And it is very hard for me to choose flight school. So, I will be very pleasure if someone recommends good flight school on the territory of Spain (Madrid and Barcelona will be more appropriate), where I can build all ratings and have qualitative training. Thanks

Help to become a pilot from nothing
 

hello

ill start introducing myself. im 17, done my gcses, doing a levels right now. I always wanted to be a pilot when I was young, I chased that dream untill I moved from holland to the UK. I thought about it and somehow wanted to become an engineer, not saying I dont like it. I love building stuff. but I also love to fly planes in simulators. yes its like a dream, and I wanna chase it. sitting in an office is to boring for me.

so thats me. now the thing is, I looked at CTC wings program, and I dont get it. am I able to go on a course after 6th form? do I need a degree? and most likely if I do get a degree I wont go on and become a pilot. I really dont know how I would have to do it. and what do I exactly need to become a pilot? I looked at the requirements and the academic side of it doesnt look hard. so anyone has tips for my lost future? because Right now im lost. we had a guest that was a pilot through CTC aviation, he gave me hopes and wanted to become a pilot again, he made it sound so easy. but I went on the website and then it was a different story. there were no actual courses for in the uk or big companies. so I would really love to have an answer from some one that does actually know what he/she is talking about.

thank you in advance :)

It seems to me you have two options.

1) Finish Uni, Work for 10 years as an engineer and save up enough for an integrated school and do your training all in one block. Maybe fly for pleasure inbetween. See what you prefer.

2) Work while you fly and do the steps posted many times over this website (modular).

I would always tell someone to go and take a trial lesson to see if they actually enjoy flying and find out what it entails to gain your licences.

Good luck

[QUOTE=Ryanaf;9724026]Hi all,

I'm just starting out and wanted to ask if anyone has any good/bad experiences training for a PPL (A) with any of these flight schools. They're the ones closest to where I live:

VVB at Elstree (40mins)
Stapleford (1hr)
Turweston (1hr 15)

I want to go the modular route into commercial flying.

My plan is to get a PPL and then look at CTC for distance ground school and then perhaps their modular flight training modules (£34k) ish.

Hour building, I'm not sure what the most cost effective way of achieving this is yet so any recommendations would be great. CTC recommended I go to Cyrpus!



Ryanaf:
I would recommend you do your PPL at Stapleford or in the US.
Then do your written exams with BGS whilst you hour build in the US.
Then do you CPL/IR with Stapleford.

European Airlines Hiring Foreigners?
 

I am a Canadian citizen with no direct ties to Europe. (Apart from an Uncle who is a dual citizen there) My dream is to be a pilot in Europe. I am fluent in German (If it matters) and my first language is English. I know getting myself to Europe is going to be next to impossible because I need to obtain the right to live and work but there must be a way to accomplish it. I have come here seeking help. Are there any airlines hiring foreigners in Europe? I see a lot of 'Cadet' programs where you can get an ATPL (I have not started flight training) and work for that airline, can I apply to those as a Canadian/will an airline sponsor me a visa? I guess the point is, if there is anything anyone who can provide any information on the topic I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for your responses, I look forward to reading them.

Training is less expensive in Canada. It is particularly less expensive in B.C. than the rest of Canada (not sure why, everything else costs more). My flight school is full of Europeans here in B.C., for that reason (French, Spanish, Italian, German, British).

My suggestion is to complete your training and even ATPL here (much easier to convert to EASA once you have an ATPL - and, again, less expensive).

A job flying here does not appeal to me either. I hold a British and Canadian passport but unfortunately since Brexit I believe I'm only entitled to work in Canada and the U.K. now, rather than all of Europe :(

Hopefully this gives you some guidance.

Also - this is my first post but I've noticed an overall tone of negativity on this forum. I know several operators in B.C. who take low hour pilots right out of flight school - it's about networking and being friendly with all those you come across in the industry. It won't be glamorous or high paying but you'll fly a lot and build hours fast. The self proclaimed "realistic" people who tell you otherwise on this forum are not the people to be listening to.

Best of luck to you!

Brexit hasn't happened yet. Still at least two years to go. Immigration rules have not changed.