Flight training is quite the experience for all involved. A lot of people write about the experience from a student’s perspective, but very little is written from the perspective of those around a student. We spoke to Greg, whose son recently finished flight training, and asked him to write a little bit about what he had learnt about flight training and the what advice he might have for future pilots.
Lots has been written about how to become a pilot but little about how those potential pilots live and work through the training process. As a parent of a trainee there are a few things those around cadets need to know. This article will not cover the technicalities of training but the support those doing the training will need.
A big factor in the process is whether the cadet is training via an integrated route or modular route. In some ways the integrated route is the ‘easy’ option. You pay your money (lots of it) and everything is included in the package from accommodation to training materials and a pilot is spat out of the end. For some people this is the best option simply because of that ease, but you are obviously paying for that convenience.
The modular route as you may know is made up of parts, where the various ‘modules’ are done in isolation, sometimes in the same place but sometimes not. The modular route is not necessarily ‘cheap’ because of all the extra bits and pieces you need to include.
Before you decide which route to take you really need to see both options in detail as well as talking to people who have been down both routes. Quite often when spending a lot of money on things people are reluctant to admit they have made a mistake so always remember this when talking to people on both sides of the argument. One thing is for sure however – you choose one route and stick to it as once embarked on the training swapping is difficult.
Money is clearly a major factor for everybody. The days of airlines paying for the training of new pilots is long gone even pre COVID19. There is a huge oversupply of pilots at present but the industry is very cyclical so expect demand to increase in the future. It goes without saying that you really need to want to be a pilot before starting as the financial commitment is far too significant to ‘give it a go’ !
Most people do not have £120k spare sitting around looking for a home, so in most cases that money will need to be borrowed or saved. There are ‘loan’ schemes for integrated training but you still owe the money. The modular option allows you to borrow that money at the speed you train and there are a few big jumps in commitment along the way. For example getting to PPL standard isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg, but ATPL theory and CPL will challenge you financially. Some people work alongside their training but there are some parts where that just isn’t possible. The ATPL theory is especially the case where you will be working more hours than you think there are in a day just to pass.
In both cases you need to carefully research where you are going to get the money from, when you will need it and whether you can really afford it before you commit yourself. You don’t want to be half a pilot with a big debt. Don’t think that once you get your CPL it is payback time either, you will still most likely need a type rating which you are likely to have to contribute to financially and then until your ATPL is unfrozen you will not be earning a huge amount of money. You must factor in this loan repayment to your early career and don’t assume your career will start from day one after your CPL. Some people have waited 2 or 3 years to get their first job.
Lots about money so far but what about softer stuff? Various stages of your training will be stressful. The ATPL theory will break you, the stress of your IR being cancelled at short notice for days on end will bring you to your knees! There will be early starts, late finishes, lots of preparation work for flights that get cancelled, then last minute flights that you are not quite ready for. Add this lot together and you will need a support network of understanding friends and family around you. You will often be too busy or tired for a social life and no beer or Prosecco the night before a flight may ruin it anyway. Most people do not live near to a flight school so it is likely you will be living away from home for some or all of your training, a cost both financially and psychologically. Remember also the ATPL theory is quite mentally demanding, pretty straightforward if you have just left school and are used to academic work, but not so great if you haven’t done mathematical integration for 10 years and have a new born child crying in the background.
Planning for this stage is crucial to ensure you give yourself the best chance for success.
If this all sounds a bit doom laden then don’t get too down. Becoming a pilot is a stepping stone to a great career, but not a stepping stone you should jump on without all the right information available to you. This website is exactly the place to start that journey!
