INFORMATION FOR PARENTS & SPONSORS
WELCOME to parents and potential sponsors of an aspiring pilot. Whichever you are, this section of our website is for you. We hope to be able to answer some important concerns you may have. Please note, when we refer to ‘parent’ or ‘parents’ below, this can be interchanged with any other relative or sponsor.
Please also note that this information contains our own opinions, based on years of experience in helping men and women of all ages achieve their goal to fly commercial aircraft for the world’s leading airlines. We advise you to do your own research and to talk to as many people in the industry as possible.
We shall consider the following:
AN AIRLINE PILOT CAREER
There is little doubt that flying has a great attraction. The word ‘dream’ is probably the most common word found in strap lines and literature which promote pilot training courses. While it can be tedious to see a line of flight schools at an exhibition all having the word ‘dream’ in their promotional media, there is no getting away from the fact that aspiring pilots very often do have a very deep desire and need to fly. So it is not without foundation! It has been aptly summed up by one Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519) many years ago:
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward: for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” So, your offspring wants to be a pilot, and in particular, an airline pilot. What are the most important considerations? You accept that the rewards are potentially very good. You can research and see the kind of salaries commanded by pilots of all experience and they compare very favourably with other professional careers.
You will be making a serious investment in your son or daughter with no guarantee that they will get employment at the end of training since very few courses (if any) guarantee a job at the end of training. There was a time when major airlines such as British Airways, BMI, Aer Lingus and the like would hold quite extensive recruitment and assessment processes then fully sponsor the cadet pilots whom they chose. These days have long gone and even though now and again you may hear of a scheme run by a major airline to sponsor student pilots, they are few and far between and competition is fierce. We will look at funding in a separate paragraph shortly.
So the first thing to consider is what are my son or daughter’s prospects for employment at the end of training? Research will involve looking at the current state of the industry and whether airlines are recruiting or not. However, bear in mind that your offspring will be finishing training maybe 18 months or so from the point at which you research. A crystal ball would be useful! We have often witnessed students commencing training during a downturn which initially looks very brave only to see them being first in line when the industry bounces back. We have just had one of the biggest downturns in industry history and as always happens, the industry comes back with vigour. Some airlines have had huge recruitment drives over the last year or so which results in the vast majority of new pilots going straight into employment after training.
To sum up, there is no hard and fast rule. Barring a complete global catastrophe, we can only advise you to allow your offspring to follow their aspirations, do their very best in training and emerge a highly professional and employable pilot. From our perspective, the last part of our Pro Pilot Airline Programme is done at Ryanair’s own jet training school putting our students in a great position when it comes to completing the programme and looking for employment. A glance at our graduate gallery on our website suggest that they were in the right place at the right time!
CHOOSING A TRAINING COURSE
When researching training courses you will no doubt come across the initial choice of modular or integrated training. The later is what major airlines in the past (1960’s/70’s) helped create as it was found that an intense disciplined conveyor-belt non stop type of course of training seemed to create the kind of disciplined focused pilot they were looking for. We do not wish to get into this debate here but we will admit in our opinion, a full-time course with little or few gaps does work better than training in small chunks over a longer period of time. For instance, when it comes to the theoretical knowledge training (ground school) we feel it is best done in a classroom full-time with other students all with the same goals and aims.
We recommend you research all the schools offering ATPL training and find one which best suits your son/daughter’s preferences. Talk to students who have been through the training if possible. Most full-time courses involve training abroad, since the cost of aviation is so prohibitive in the UK. Where you train thus has an impact. You might find a cheaper course but end up training in the back and beyond with instructors who are hard to understand. Some students might not like travelling and prefer to stay in one location. Others may see several training locations within one programme as being an opportunity to fly in varying airspaces with different air traffic, weather and experiences. After all, isn’t that the job in a nutshell?
Most courses require your offspring to pass an assessment to gain a place on a course. While this seems a little bizzare that we should test someone to see if we are happy with them giving us a substantial amount of money, it is primarily for the sponsors benefit and peace of mind. Best to spend a couple of hundred pounds to find out your son or daughter does not have the aptitude to complete the training course rather than let them start training and find out after spending tens of thousands of pounds. Also, some schools offer a guarantee refund should your son/daughter pass the assessment then still fail during training. This is a reflection on the serious and thorough nature of the assessments carried out.
DEGREE OR NO DEGREE?
Should my offspring get a degree under his/her belt first? Surely this is a great back up should employment be hard to obtain after completing training? A couple of points to note here. Firstly, you do not need a degree to be an airline pilot. In one of the few surveys carried out with airline participation (albeit many years ago) it was found that academic achievement was way down the list of requirements for trainee pilots. Top of the list were things like teamwork and inter personal skills. Secondly, why would you incur the debt of a degree? Pilot training is expensive enough without adding to it. Your son/daughter wants to be a pilot – not an academic. Do degrees really open the doors they used to? Thirdly, many pilots find they have free time available and that time could be used to do a degree. Maybe a business degree so that when they get bored of flying they can move into airline management and make even more money.
There are some courses which allow you to do both. Our opinion is the same as above. Don’t dilute aspirations by trying to create a ‘back-up’ plan. If your offspring has the desire to have an airline pilot career the training requires a compulsory 100% concentration on the task in hand. Allow them to do that!
FUNDING THE TRAINING
Since the cessation of full sponsorship around the time of 9/11 nearly all training is paid for by the trainee, their parents or sponsors. There are various ways of funding training usually involving putting up property as security. Many deals involve a payment holiday giving the graduate a period of time to allow them to find employment before having to start paying back the loan. Please look at our funding page for more information.
FIRST STEPS
A lot depends on how far down the path your offspring has gone in their research of how to become a commercial pilot. Have they had a trial flight in a light aircraft at their local aerodrome/airfield? This is quite important.
Many schools hold regular seminars around the UK and Europe and some hold webinars online so you do not have to leave the comfort of your own home to find out about their training. Try attending one of these and ask questions. Also, there are various pilot career exhibitions held in the UK and Europe where you will find a multitude of industry experts to talk to so that you can obtain a fair and balanced view of what is involved.
If you would like to talk to an experienced Career Advisor and receive un-biassed advice please call us or drop in at our Assessment Centre in Nottingham for a chat.
Becoming a commercial airline pilot can be a fulfilling and rewarding career, and your support can help your son or daughter achieve their goal. A job as a commercial airline pilot can offer many benefits, such as the opportunity to travel, a good salary, and job security.
This career path involves rigorous training and education. The process includes flight and theoretical training, tests and examinations, simulator training, and on-the-job experience.
We understand that you may have concerns about the cost of training, the competitive job market, and/or the safety of flying. The aviation industry has one of the highest safety standards in the world.
If your son or daughter has expressed an interest in becoming a commercial pilot and is trying to decide between the modular or integrated training route, you may have some questions. We will provide you with information about both routes to help you and your son/daughter make the right decision.
Modular pilot training is a popular option for aspiring pilots who prefer a flexible and affordable training schedule. Instead of enrolling in a full-time integrated course, modular training allows students to complete each stage of their training either full or part-time, to allow them to work or study while they train.
The decision to take a modular or integrated commercial pilot training route will depend on several factors, including your son/daughter’s financial situation, time availability, personal preferences, and career goals. Here are some things to consider:
Cost: Integrated pilot training programs can be expensive, with some costing upwards of £100,000. On the other hand, modular training will cost significantly less, between £56,000-£85,000, and allows the student to train full or part-time at their own pace. They can also spread the cost out over a longer period.
Time: Integrated pilot training programs are usually completed in 12-18 months, whereas modular training can be completed in as little as 12 months or can be stretched out over 2 years if required. The duration of training for a modular course is largely dependent on the individual undertaking the training.
Flexibility: Modular training provides significantly more flexibility as the student is in control of the speed of their training. This can be helpful if they need to balance training with work or other commitments.
Quality: Research the quality of the training provided by the schools or training providers offering both modular and integrated training options. Make sure that they have a good reputation and are recognised by aviation authorities such as the UK CAA or EASA. The Wings Alliance can help with this.
Ultimately, the decision to take a modular or integrated commercial pilot training route will depend on your son/daughter’s personal circumstances and goals. It’s essential to do your research and speak with professionals in the industry to make an informed decision.
Modular pilot training is a flexible and affordable option for aspiring pilots. It allows your son/daughter to train at their own pace and take breaks if needed. With the right training providers and a commitment to hard work and dedication, your son or daughter can achieve their dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
