A longshot.
 

This is a longshot, but could anyone think of a way that I could become an instructor (without first having joined an airline) given that I also have little money so couldnt pay for it myself?
My best idea so far was to work for 10 years in MacDonalds while slowly financing it, and its not a very good idea although I did here of someone who did that.

As I understand it, from all the bank(er)s I've heard from regarding funding ... they'll only give you a decent loan if you can provide evidence of getting a job at the end of the training... Someone'll probably slap me down for this but thats the impression I have, open to interpretation of course...

I'd say your best bet would be, in the meantime, get a decent job that'll earn you decent money and a good amount of spare time; i.e. something with shift patterns that are predictable such as 4 days on and then 4 off, or 5 on 3 off etc. Then you can use money not spent on food/house etc on training. The regular shift pattern will allow you to plan slots with the provider.

It'll be a long jaunt and there are other ways but thats my immediate response. Just don't work in Mac'ds ... the only place that can turn food to s*it in 10 minutes... PERHAPS there is an instructor here who can post how they did it...

SS

A long shot indeed.

I’m afraid you’ll just have to join the rest of us who now live in debt!

There is no way that I know of that does not involve funding CPL then FIC courses on your own. You might, just might find a school who will help with the funding of you FIC, but that is a long shot these days as well. At any rate you’ve a long way to go and a lot of burgers to fry until you get to that stage

Cabair and Atlantic run partial sponsorships, which involve a couple of years as an instructor, but it’s with a view to you moving on to airlines (in theory). It will still cost you a lot more than you will earn at McDonalds in the foreseeable future!

The NPPL is ‘apparently’ on the horizon and there is talk about instructors for that course perhaps not having a CPL or CPL/ATPL ground school passes, just hours and an FI rating . That could be a route for you ..but I won’t get drawn into that debate here!!! At any rate it is still going to cost a lot of cash.

With regard to training over a long period of time….DON’T! It will cost you more in the long run. Those who try to do FIC’s and CPL courses part time in general take longer than the min hours, ..you need to go at it full time.

Sorry can’t be of more help, but if it was easy everyone would be doing it!

Try Aeros at Staverton in Gloucestershire, the last instructor I had there started with them with an out of date PPL and the CFI took him on for Instructor Training.

If I understood you correctly you were looking to do a Flight Instructors Course and start as an AFI - then it just might be a possibility.

Anyway Good luck

WAY out of date info Richard!

You now need to have CPL or ATPL groundschool pass, a CPL and 200 odd hours before you can start an Instructors course for what is now an FI(r)

Your CFI would have to fork out about £20/30k to bring a PPL to Instructor standard. If he does, he is a hero or involved in a very unprofitable school!!!

Tiger Moth,

Have you ever thought about microlights? I've only had two trial lessons, but it was enough to know that they definitely give you hands-on flying, and I gather that's what you're into. They're cheaper, you won't need a CPL as there's no such thing, and I gather instructors get paid a little better. I don't know the ins and out of this, but there are people on PPRuNe who do (Genghis the Engineer, where are you?). They'll probably read it if you post this on the Private Flying forum.

I know you've set your heart on flying Tiger Moths, but there's nothing to stop you doing both eventually, and this might be a practical solution to your problem.

Richard I dont understand your solution. Wouldnt I need the money to pay for it?
Whirlybird, your idea intrigues me. They would be fun to fly. Infact that really is a great idea. Well done.
Do you know how many hours you'd need? I see costs of £70 / hr in my learn to fly magazine which I understand can be reduced by getting your own machine and a 2 seater could be maybe under £10,000. It would still require me to get a boring job and save up but wouldnt take as long as saving for normal planes would. Imagine having my own machine!
Thanks for the replys everyone

Well, I think you are maybe finding out why there are so many questions from people like me in their thirties and forties about whether we can still make flying our career.

I never had much going for me aviation wise, and never had any money until the last couple of years... so flying has really had to wait until now.

I would suggest that you try and get a decent job, IT seems to be popular, and save like heck for the next few years. You can hang out at the airport and try and help out, or join a flying club and get occasional lessons when you can afford it.

Flying is expensive, but worth it. 2000 quid to get to solo should be possible, and that kind of money is not unobtainable with a reasonable job, even when you are quite young.

Keep at it. Good luck.

Tiger Moth......I gotta hand it to you old chap - you have some persistence! Dont ever lose that - it will carry you through some tought times. I am afraid, that like some of the other "Going Grey Eagles" here, that the best bet is to get a job which is related to aviation in the short term. I dont know where you live, but if the dream is there and you are even willing to countenance working with Ronald the Clown serving up Grot burgers to the masses then I suggest that you move near to a major airport 0- such as Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick Luton etc, and apply for every job with every airline. I did this a few years ago, and yes, I was a security agent, Passenger service Agent, Flight Ops Officer, and now train aircrew on A320/B777 - but you gotta eat !!!!! now for jam tomorrow. It also gives you a number of advantages.

1) Shift work - enables you to fly mid week and even take part time employment (McDs if you really wish!)

2) Concessionary travel - get to the USA and fly twins for the price of singles here!!

3) Gives you the inside track on jobs/company structures etc.

4) Generally speaking - as much overtime as you can shake a stick at!

Then, with a bit of career history and a bit of dosh you should be able to get a Career Development Loan? I think they offer up to £10K. That will get you from PPL/IMC/Night and maybe even Multi depending on where you do it......Then try the modular route.

Best of luck.......dont give up

Tailwinds

;)