Sacrifices during flight training

There will be a lot of sacrifices during flight training. This is a huge commitment that will stretch most people’s finances like they have never been stretched before. The sacrifices that need to be made are not just financial but will also stretch across your social life.

1. Social Life – Your social life will take a hit and a lot of time will be spent at the airfield or with your head in books studying. You will have to pass on social events with friends and family and / or make sacrifices when you do go. For instance, I can count the amount of times I have gone out at the weekend with friends in 2016 on one hand. One of the reasons is as I work Monday-Friday, I fly Saturday and Sunday’s.
   Obviously you cannot drink and fly and alcohol effects performance so having a drink during my PPL was basically a no go, I would have had to take a weekend off which I do not want to do. On top of this I don’t really want to drink as flying is more important to me.
   On top of this there is a LOT of study you will have to do. In the PPL (private pilots licence) you need to study and pass 9 written exams and in the ATPL (Air Transport Pilot Licence) you must study and pass 14 which are even more difficult! They say the ATPL’s are an estimated 650 hours of study. On top of this there is a LOT of information to take in, so you really want to be on top of your game for this.
2. Finances – Unless you are well off, your finances will be stretched to the limit. Even modular flight training will cost you the best part of £35,000+ so other things need to be put on the back burner. Things like new cars, holidays, expensive gadgets & even new clothes become a lot less important during this time.
   My advice is do not start on a whim, if you are going modular then make sure you have enough money to at least complete your PPL before you even start training.
3. Time – Finding the time to study and fly is hard. Lunch breaks, before work, after work, your commute and especially your weekend all becomes study time.

If you commit to pilot training, be prepared to commit fully. It is not something that you can go into lightly, if you are not willing to make the sacrifices and are not willing to give it your all you will not succeed. This will take at least 18 months of your life as a bare minimum and could even take a few years. However in my opinion the sacrifices during flight training are well worth it as you get a sense of achievement when you tick off each stage of your training.

On a sad note, an Egypt Air A320 has gone missing this morning, my prayers for all on board.

Thinking of training via the modular route? Or started and still have questions? Then read The Essential Modular Flight Training Guide.