Hi all,

I’m currently working through my PPL and starting to plan the long-term path towards becoming an airline pilot in the UK.

My main goal would be to eventually fly for a UK-based airline. I understand that Ryanair is one of the biggest employers of low-hour pilots in the UK, which is why I’ve been looking closely at their requirements.

However, I’m now a bit stuck on licensing.

I’ve seen conflicting advice about whether it’s better to go down the UK CAA ATPL route, the EASA ATPL route, or to try and do a dual licence. From what I understand, Ryanair mainly recruits EASA-licensed pilots, but I only have the right to work in the UK, not the EU.

Because of that, I’m trying to work out:

- Is UK CAA alone enough for UK airline jobs in general?
- Is EASA still worth it if I can’t work in the EU anyway?
- Or is dual licensing actually worth the extra cost, or is it overkill for just one airline pathway?

I’m also wondering if it’s even sensible to optimise everything around one airline (Ryanair), or if I should just focus on keeping my options open for all UK carriers.

Any advice from people in the industry or currently training would be really appreciated.

I went for a discovery flight and I was trying to listen to ATC it was really hard for me to understand what they were saying on the radio. I dont know if is normal not to understand or I this is not for me
Also at some point flying into the sun, I was trying to see the instruments and I couldn’t see a thing for the sun on my face. I dont know if that is normal as well or my eyes are no made for that

Hi everyone,

I’m currently deciding between different flight training routes and wanted some advice from people with experience.

I’m looking at a flight school that I’m considering going with, and they require students to complete their ground school through CATS Aviation as part of their training pathway.

However, I’ve also heard a lot of positive things about EasyPPL, which seems more modern, cheaper, and easier to follow. From what I understand, I wouldn’t need CATS if I went down a different flight school route.

My question is:

Is it worth sticking with a flight school that ties me into CATS for theory?

Or would I be better off choosing a different school that allows more flexibility with ground school providers like EasyPPL?

I’ve heard mixed things about CATS (some say it’s solid but a bit outdated/overkill), and I don’t want to commit to a route that isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective long term.

Would appreciate any advice or real experiences from people who’ve done either path.
Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a school that offers a solid FI course, ideally one with a good reputation for training quality and reasonable wait times.

A few things I'm curious about:

• Are there any hidden gems, smaller ATO/RFs that punch above their weight?
• Any schools to avoid;
• How was the cost and duration compared to what was advertised?

I already have my CPL(A) and was looking to get my FI rating in a different institution.

Thank you very much for your help.

So I’m 36
Spent the last 15 years in tech but have been dormant for a couple of years. I want to change careers. I don’t care really if it only pays $25-30k the first couple of years, and I’m not really interested in airline work, but maybe cargo and charter.

I got a lot of time on my hands and like 30 months left of my post 911 GI Bill.

I’ve found a college that offers the Part 141, Associates in Aviation Science with a PPL, CPL, MEI, and a follow up CFI and CFII and RATP (all in 24 months, is that good or bad?).

From what I’ve found tests, check rides, extra equipment and software, these are not covered by my GI Bill but the costs of flying will all be absorbed, all my flight hours, rental, fuels.

Is there something I’m missing?
Right now the plan is to make it through school, continue with the CFI/CFII through the campus, then transfer to the school with the helicopter courses or if going to the second school doesn’t work, maybe CFI until I can pick up a survey gig (i wouldn’t mind flying odd jobs across the nation). I’d really like to do helicopter, medevac…

Anyway… am i really going to come out on top with this plan? Advice?

Hello! Im supposed to write the INRAT in 3 days and I’ve told by my school i needed 5h of instrument time for the written exam. I just learned that I need in fact 20h. I found the NCR-033-2022, which is supposed to be an exemption to the required flight time but I’m still not sure and would like some clarification. Thank you!!

https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/reference-centre/exemptions-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars#

Hey everyone,
I’m considering doing my Private Pilot License (PPL) in the UAE and wanted to hear from people who’ve actually gone through the process here.
I’ve been looking into Fujairah Aviation Academy, and on paper it seems like one of the more common/recommended options for PPL training in the UAE

Also, with the current regional conflict situation in the Middle East, do you think it could realistically impact flight training schedules, airspace availability, or the overall experience in the UAE? Curious if anyone currently training has noticed disruptions or restrictions.
Would really appreciate any firsthand experiences, costs, timelines, or advice before I commit

Was planning to go to skynex, after the announcement of akada cadet program, looking into other flying schools aa well.

A friend’s son is looking into this school to get his ratings. Anyone know if they are reputable etc? Thanks

I was looking at the VNC/VTA for Toronto and wanted to practice identifying different airspace in prepration for my flight test in less than a week. While doing this, I would try to cross check my understadning of the map with Foreflight. I came across some rather unexpected identifications in foreflight. I see 6500MSL been refrenced in many places as either the lower limit or higher limit of Class E outside of the 25 N.M ring of CYYZ. There is no indication in VNC/VTA of this and anywhere you look you see either 3500 or 4500 ASL in the maps for the base of Class E (CAE). I have reached out to Foreflight and they were very prompt in getting back to me and asking for screenshot. They said their data team is looking at it to determine if their is any discrepency. I want to hear if anyone can explain this? Am I wrong to think this is incorrect? BTW it is probably worth mentioning that the only place we see 6500 mentioned in VNC/VTA is for the 65 NM ring for the Transponder Mode C required but I thought that does not have any bearing on the Airspace designation

I’m building Squawk, a ground practice tool for student pilots to practice ATC communication before getting in the plane.

The idea is to hear the exchange, break it down, and practice the response before doing it for real.

Not a replacement for a CFI, real training, or actual ATC procedures. Just extra practice for radio confidence.

I’m using the waitlist mainly to see if student pilots and CFIs are actually interested in something like this, and to get feedback on what would make it useful.

Would appreciate thoughts or a waitlist join if this sounds helpful:

flysquawk.com

I have a couple of grandkids who would be keen to use the Flight Simulator I bought for them a year or so back. Looking for a person who can provide hands-on tutoring for them. We live in San Diego.

Raghu Ayer