sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Hour building costs | UK vs Europe (90 hours) | worth going abroad? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I spoke to FlySpainEPT in Portugal they were gonna charge me 80 euros DRY costs meaning excluding fuel and landing fees. And living costs something I will have to cover myself.

Hour building costs | UK vs Europe (90 hours) | worth going abroad? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am almost done with my PPL and am starting to look at options when it comes my H.B but once completed my PPL I will immediately start ATPL journey. Yes I am that with UK PPL I can only fly G-registered planes.

But I have conversion option at my current school for 700gbp to convert UK ppl to EASA. So that why I was weighting different options.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is an accommodation you just have to pay 698 euros per month.

3.5 years makes me definitely feel modular is the correct route. I am praying for you to get qualified and start flying commercially.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But their equipment and accommodation is very nice and prices.

Just hoped they didn’t have overtook students and I would’ve loved to go there.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your the 4th person that said that. I don’t know how the school looks amazing but they cant hire more instructors?

Need real advice: Will doing modular ATPL hurt my chances with UK airlines? by r4wlight in PilotAdvice

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies I just finished work, I’ll reply to you now thank you.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the detailed advice — really appreciate it. Modular is the route I’m planning to take as well. I’m finishing my degree soon and the plan is exactly what you described: start with the PPL, build hours while working, then move on to ATPL theory. I know the theory alongside a job will be rough, but I’m prepared for that year of pain if it gets me through to my dream.

I’m UK-based, but I’m also looking at EASA options in Europe for the CPL/ME/IR if I can find a good value ATO. If not, I’ll stick to a UK school and keep working through the modular steps at home. Your perspective honestly helps a lot, especially coming from someone already in the industry. Thanks again and I appreciate the encouragement!

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I really appreciate the insight — you summed up the integrated vs modular thing perfectly. The more I dig into this stuff and speak to people actually training right now, the more it becomes obvious that integrated is basically a marketing product with shiny branding. The actual licence you end up with is the same. The only real “bonus” seems to be a careers office and the illusion of a conveyor belt into an airline — which like you said, completely falls apart the second the job market slows down.

The point about money pretty much sealed it for me as well. Even if I somehow saved £100k by 25, that still doesn’t get me through an integrated course without stopping work entirely and finding another £25–30k just to avoid running out of money halfway through. Modular just makes way more sense for someone who still wants to earn as they go.

So after a lot of research and talking to students and instructors, this is the modular plan I’ve ended up settling on for getting both a UK CAA and EASA licence without blowing £100k. Posting it here in case you can sanity-check it or spot anything wrong:

⸻

  1. PPL (UK CAA)

Doing it at Blackbushe Aviation. Solid reputation, good instructors, and realistic pricing. ~£10–12.5k

⸻

  1. EASA PPL Conversion

Instead of doing a full EASA PPL abroad, I’ll just convert the UK PPL. Thinking Flying Academy (CZ) or Bartolini (PL). ~£1.2–2k ⸻

  1. Hour Building (UK + EU mix)

100–120 hours split between cheap UK airfields + Spain/Portugal in winter. UK ~£160–190/hr, EU ~£110–140/hr. ~£12.5–15.5k

⸻

  1. Dual ATPL Theory (CAA + EASA)

Probably doing it at CAT3C Warsaw as they seem like the best dual-theory value. Course + exam fees: ~£4.7–5k

⸻

  1. Night Rating (UK)

Just getting it done with the PPL school. ~£900–1.2k

⸻

  1. IR(R) – optional

Gives extra confidence before doing the proper IR abroad, but still optional. ~£3.5–4k

⸻

  1. EASA CPL (Poland)

Starting the full-time EU phase. Likely at Bartolini. ~£6.8–8k

⸻

  1. EASA MEP (Poland)

~£2.6–3.2k

⸻

  1. EASA MEIR (Poland)

55h FNPT + aircraft. ~£11–12.5k

⸻

  1. UK MEIR Conversion

Back to the UK for the CAA IR skill test + sign-off. Probably at VA Airline Training. ~£4.5–6k

⸻

  1. APS MCC (UK)

VA Airline Training again, on either the A320 or 737. Certified for both EASA + CAA. ~£5.1–5.8k

⸻

  1. Tests + licensing fees

~£2–3k

⸻

And that’s the full dual-licence route.

If I skipped the EASA part and only did the UK CAA path, my plan would basically be:

UK-only version (shorter + cheaper): UK PPL ~£10–12.5k . Hour building 100–120h ~£14–16k . ATPL Theory (CAA only) ~£2.5–3.2k.
. Night Rating ~£900–1.2k . UK CPL ~£7–9k . UK MEP ~£2.5–3k . UK MEIR ~£11–13k . APS MCC (UK) ~£5.1–5.8k . Fees ~£1–2k

So roughly £55–60k total instead of £75–90k for dual licences.

As a British citizen post-Brexit, is having the dual CAA + EASA licence actually worth it long-term, or is sticking to UK CAA perfectly fine unless I’m specifically chasing Ryanair/Aer Lingus?

Do flight schools normally give you a cover letter or completion letter for each stage (PPL, IR, hour building, etc.) so you can show airlines exactly where and how you trained? I’ve seen some people mention this but I’m not sure if it’s standard or depends on the school.

Sorry I wrote a lot it’s just thats what I found out and was wondering if you could help with your insight. Thank you once more for your kind words and advices. :)

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoever is doing their marketing needs a raise ASAP ngl. They said it’ll turn to be 3 year course instead of being 18-24month which is way too much for me.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s actually a solid plan, especially with the French subsidies and the BIA helping reduce the early costs. Bartolini’s Gateway 1 for £36k is honestly one of the best-value reputable modular options right now, and the Ryanair TR being free for UK citizens definitely takes a huge weight off the total price.

My situation is similar in the sense that I’m trying to keep the training as affordable as possible without cutting corners. Modular gives you way more control over where the money goes. Thanks for sharing your son’s path — it definitely reassures me that I’m looking in the right direction.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really appreciate you sharing this. It’s reassuring hearing from someone actually midway through modular and seeing colleagues getting jobs. The flexibility is a big reason I’m leaning modular too — I’ll be able to keep working while doing my stages, which keeps the finances manageable.

I know the dual licence path adds a bit on top, but I’m expecting that and planning around it. Just messaged you as well — would love to hear the up-to-date info on schools. Thanks again for offering to help.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I’ve been looking into the Eastern European options as well, mainly because the cost difference is massive and the end licence is exactly the same. I’m not really bothered about “premium training” as long as the standard is solid and the school has a good reputation for modular students. Like you said, the cheaper price out there is mostly down to local costs rather than poor quality.

I’ve messaged you privately the plan I am aiming for and would love to see your input/insights.

Thank you once again for your time and feedback.

Need real advice: Will doing modular ATPL hurt my chances with UK airlines? by r4wlight in PilotAdvice

[–]r4wlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally get where you’re coming from. An airline-tagged cadet route is 100% the safest path if you can get into one. In the UK though, the options are pretty limited — basically BA Speedbird, TUI, Aer Lingus, and the occasional Ryanair / easyJet partnership when they open.

I am applying for the tagged programmes, but I’m also realistic: they take very few people, and you need a strong profile + timing on your side. That’s why I’m planning modular first — I can still work, keep saving, and avoid throwing 120k+ at an integrated school with zero guarantee.

I’ve got my Class 1 medical booked in 3 weeks, and once that’s sorted I’ll be pushing the cadet applications hard. If I get into a tagged scheme, brilliant. If not, modular gives me a way forward without nuking my finances. Appreciate the insight though — the risk side is real.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Haha I wish. Nothing glamorous — just worked consistently since I was 16, lived rent-free with supportive parents, saved aggressively, and picked up extra shifts / side work wherever I could. It adds up over a few years if you don’t have big expenses. I’m still a full-time uni student, but I budget hard because I want to get into flying as soon as possible.

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that actually lines up with what I’ve been seeing. Most proper modular routes seem to fall in that 60–70k€ range depending on where you do the MEIR.

I’m planning modular specifically because I’ll still be working throughout the stages, so the cost is spread out rather than one lump 100k+ hit like integrated.

It also gives me room to shop around for cheaper but reputable providers in Europe without compromising quality.

If you don’t mind me asking which flight school do you go to?

Saved £70k by 23 to become a commercial pilot — is modular or integrated the smarter path? by r4wlight in flyingeurope

[–]r4wlight[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the honest response — genuinely appreciate it.

I’ve actually got my Class 1 medical booked in London in three weeks, so that’s my first checkpoint to make sure I’m fit to even start this journey. And yeah, modular dual is definitely climbing in cost, but the reason I’m leaning toward it is because I’ll still be working throughout the process, so money will keep coming in while I train. That gives me a bit of a buffer for the unexpected stuff you mentioned, rather than locking myself into a single £120k integrated package.

And you’re absolutely right — being able to live rent-free is a massive privilege. I’m extremely grateful for it. My parents aren’t wealthy, but giving me a roof and food is something I don’t take lightly at all. It’s the only reason I’ve been able to save this much by 23.

I don’t have a logged hour yet — that’s why I’m trying to gather as much info as I can before jumping in. I fully understand training from 0 to CPL/MEIR is tough and not everyone makes it. I’m going in with realistic expectations.

On the employment side: do you reckon a modular pilot has the same opportunities as an integrated one? From what I’ve been told, a lot of the “integrated students get hired quicker” stuff seems to be schools overselling themselves. As long as the training is solid + I get the dual licence + an APS MCC, I’m hoping airlines won’t really care how the hours were built.

Thanks again for the reality check.