MPL vs Modular full time (vs part time)
Join Date: Jul 2023
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I am not sure how it’s wide of the mark. I have in my experience met more integrated and MPL FOs that work for easyjet. YMMV with BA thanks for sharing.
Also I don’t think it’s irresponsible to set expectations here. Rather than assuming you’ll get your 200 odd hours modular and get in the right hand seat. Assume you’ll need to instruct or similar for a long time before you do. Thats not a bad expectation to set. We should not be telling people looking to get into it that it’s a sure thing because it really isn’t.
Also I don’t think it’s irresponsible to set expectations here. Rather than assuming you’ll get your 200 odd hours modular and get in the right hand seat. Assume you’ll need to instruct or similar for a long time before you do. Thats not a bad expectation to set. We should not be telling people looking to get into it that it’s a sure thing because it really isn’t.
In times gone by absolutely, modular pilots have had to work doing non airline work until getting jobs on the jets but times have definitely changed. I think with aviation it’s best not to have any expectations when starting out no matter what route you take.
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and this is where I think the cost greatly outweighs the benefits. You could spend the same money and get multiple different qualifications. There are those who don’t make it for one reason or another and theres not enough of those voices.
Fly because you truly enjoy it if you can make a career out of it then great but it’s probably best to have very flexible and lower expectations than what often gets spoken about. This is where modular has it’s strengths in my opinion. You can truly see if you can make it work. Get your PPL and find yourself constantly renting the plane and using all your free time to fly for fun? Great consider more ratings and CPL. Able to make a bit of money out of it and can still stand it? Awesome keep going with more ratings, perhaps instruct. Find that the airlines have a window? Go for it. But it should be incidental to the costs/time you are putting in.
It’s great that the market is on an upswing right now but that should not mean putting 100k on the bet thats going to stay. Fully expect to be finishing on a downturn and having to maintain for years potentially. If you are happy with that then keep going.
Fly because you truly enjoy it if you can make a career out of it then great but it’s probably best to have very flexible and lower expectations than what often gets spoken about. This is where modular has it’s strengths in my opinion. You can truly see if you can make it work. Get your PPL and find yourself constantly renting the plane and using all your free time to fly for fun? Great consider more ratings and CPL. Able to make a bit of money out of it and can still stand it? Awesome keep going with more ratings, perhaps instruct. Find that the airlines have a window? Go for it. But it should be incidental to the costs/time you are putting in.
It’s great that the market is on an upswing right now but that should not mean putting 100k on the bet thats going to stay. Fully expect to be finishing on a downturn and having to maintain for years potentially. If you are happy with that then keep going.
If you want guaranteed bang for you buck then of course look elsewhere, but if you're willing to take the risk then go for it.
I agree its good to shed light on how things may not go to plan but discouraging others from going ahead with modular training is taking it too far. Tell your story and allow others to perceive it as they wish.
The biggest hurdle with modular is getting down and dirty with the ATPL written stuff. That needs complete self-discipline so not to blow the limited sittings you get to complete them. (So find a school that are recognized as an ATO that can send you to do the writtens!!)
Ultimately you could start with a Medical.. then study your butt off and do all the writtens.. the ATPL level theory covers all intermediate levels, thus PPL, IR and CPL are covered (FCL.035.b.1)
Then get stuck in with the fun stuff and fly.
Ultimately you could start with a Medical.. then study your butt off and do all the writtens.. the ATPL level theory covers all intermediate levels, thus PPL, IR and CPL are covered (FCL.035.b.1)
Then get stuck in with the fun stuff and fly.
I would never encourage anyone to start it unless they are happy making 0 money, have 0 jobs and would be content to fly for fun, because like you say, return on investment shouldn’t be the main goal.
Its aviation… its a hundred grand gamble either way.
What other industry have people rocking up and saying they will work for free? Passion drives us so if you want an “investment return”, then aviation is the most stupid choice one can gamble on 😂
Bottom line is to not accept the marketing gumpf sayng intergrated is the ONLY way. If you find the optimal school, you can build time and crank thru the licenses at twice the speed of an intergrated student and get ahead. Also, you build time on your own.. getting true PIC time where you likely scare yourself a bit too thus gaining real experience as opposed to being a hand-held integrated student.
What other industry have people rocking up and saying they will work for free? Passion drives us so if you want an “investment return”, then aviation is the most stupid choice one can gamble on 😂
Bottom line is to not accept the marketing gumpf sayng intergrated is the ONLY way. If you find the optimal school, you can build time and crank thru the licenses at twice the speed of an intergrated student and get ahead. Also, you build time on your own.. getting true PIC time where you likely scare yourself a bit too thus gaining real experience as opposed to being a hand-held integrated student.
Its aviation… its a hundred grand gamble either way.
What other industry have people rocking up and saying they will work for free? Passion drives us so if you want an “investment return”, then aviation is the most stupid choice one can gamble on 😂
Bottom line is to not accept the marketing gumpf sayng intergrated is the ONLY way. If you find the optimal school, you can build time and crank thru the licenses at twice the speed of an intergrated student and get ahead. Also, you build time on your own.. getting true PIC time where you likely scare yourself a bit too thus gaining real experience as opposed to being a hand-held integrated student.
What other industry have people rocking up and saying they will work for free? Passion drives us so if you want an “investment return”, then aviation is the most stupid choice one can gamble on 😂
Bottom line is to not accept the marketing gumpf sayng intergrated is the ONLY way. If you find the optimal school, you can build time and crank thru the licenses at twice the speed of an intergrated student and get ahead. Also, you build time on your own.. getting true PIC time where you likely scare yourself a bit too thus gaining real experience as opposed to being a hand-held integrated student.
I get the sentiment, but a lot of companies have many people queuing for unpaid internships. I am not sure if passion is enough, it doesn’t put food on the table.
absolutely 100% on not listening to the marketing nonsense. However from my experience, and it is anecdotal; most 0-hero FOs I have met come from integrated or MPL background. Yes I have also met modular as well, and they had done lots of other things prior to RHS at an airline. Which is why, I hope any person looking to get into it does not expect to be at an airline within 2-3 years. If that is what they are planning their life and “investment” around they should consider it very carefully. For me I would not do it, but that’s me.
It shouldn’t be a gamble. The only bet you should make is that you get to fly. You only need a PPL for that.
I get the sentiment, but a lot of companies have many people queuing for unpaid internships. I am not sure if passion is enough, it doesn’t put food on the table.
absolutely 100% on not listening to the marketing nonsense. However from my experience, and it is anecdotal; most 0-hero FOs I have met come from integrated or MPL background. Yes I have also met modular as well, and they had done lots of other things prior to RHS at an airline. Which is why, I hope any person looking to get into it does not expect to be at an airline within 2-3 years. If that is what they are planning their life and “investment” around they should consider it very carefully. For me I would not do it, but that’s me.
I get the sentiment, but a lot of companies have many people queuing for unpaid internships. I am not sure if passion is enough, it doesn’t put food on the table.
absolutely 100% on not listening to the marketing nonsense. However from my experience, and it is anecdotal; most 0-hero FOs I have met come from integrated or MPL background. Yes I have also met modular as well, and they had done lots of other things prior to RHS at an airline. Which is why, I hope any person looking to get into it does not expect to be at an airline within 2-3 years. If that is what they are planning their life and “investment” around they should consider it very carefully. For me I would not do it, but that’s me.
Go integrated, get 95% ATPL exams, walk everything but then get a second series IR pass. That could be enough to end a career.
If you pop out now with a strong Modular CV, you’re getting a job. Same as integrated. If you have a really weak track record, you might not. Same as integrated.
Everything in further education is a gamble.. not everybody who pops out with a law degree will get the high paid job and live a life of coke and hookers, some have to make do sorting out parking tickets in public court.
As long as the airlines just stand and bleat about the lack of pilots instead of actually doing all training in-house, from zero to CPL, covering ALL the costs, then I consider it all a gamble… being invited to an interview isnt a way in… its just an interview like anybody else gets (just pay RyanAir the couple hundred quid to have a chat with them.)
You are completely correct.. the only way these days to stay sane, is to have a normal job and fly for fun with a PPL.
As long as the airlines just stand and bleat about the lack of pilots instead of actually doing all training in-house, from zero to CPL, covering ALL the costs, then I consider it all a gamble… being invited to an interview isnt a way in… its just an interview like anybody else gets (just pay RyanAir the couple hundred quid to have a chat with them.)
You are completely correct.. the only way these days to stay sane, is to have a normal job and fly for fun with a PPL.
Everything in further education is a gamble.. not everybody who pops out with a law degree will get the high paid job and live a life of coke and hookers, some have to make do sorting out parking tickets in public court.
As long as the airlines just stand and bleat about the lack of pilots instead of actually doing all training in-house, from zero to CPL, covering ALL the costs, then I consider it all a gamble… being invited to an interview isnt a way in… its just an interview like anybody else gets (just pay RyanAir the couple hundred quid to have a chat with them.)
You are completely correct.. the only way these days to stay sane, is to have a normal job and fly for fun with a PPL.
As long as the airlines just stand and bleat about the lack of pilots instead of actually doing all training in-house, from zero to CPL, covering ALL the costs, then I consider it all a gamble… being invited to an interview isnt a way in… its just an interview like anybody else gets (just pay RyanAir the couple hundred quid to have a chat with them.)
You are completely correct.. the only way these days to stay sane, is to have a normal job and fly for fun with a PPL.
I think you have the nail on the head. If the industry needed people, really needed people there would be more done. The truth is the industry has way more pilots and people willing to be pilots than is needed. I think that’s what the lay person needs to know and for those curious to get into it.
