NFC Airline Pilot Programme

Mr Schmiggles

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has completed the above course? Its 65K and based in Dublin. Pro's and con's of doing such a course?

Thanks
Mr S

happy_head

Nobody has completed it yet, this is the first course to be run and it started in July 2011. As far as i know they say it will take 14-16 months, but i really would be a bit wary of that, with the Irish weather an stuff.

alan85

Mr Schmiggles wrote: »

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has completed the above course? Its 65K and based in Dublin. Pro's and con's of doing such a course?

Thanks
Mr S

Pros:

• Close to home
• Networking in Ireland
• Getting to fly with weather - decision making skills
• Flying at home and getting to know Ireland better
• New 737-800 Sim for MCC

Cons:

• Job market when you come out
• World economy on another downer?
• Financing it upfront?
• Weather affecting whether you can fly
• Links of NFC with actual airline recruiters
• No history/reputation of integrated training until now
• What follow ups do they offer if you don't gain immediate employment? Sim checks?

If you're serious about it you'll visit other integrated providers and see what they offer and compare it all accordingly. It's the only way...

xflyer

Links of NFC with actual airline recruiters

Ryanair, Cityjet and Aer Arann. Plus the potential to work for the NFC as an Instructor if you can find the extra cash.

alan85

xflyer wrote: »

Ryanair, Cityjet and Aer Arann. Plus the potential to work for the NFC as an Instructor if you can find the extra cash.

Cityjet is doing its own recruitment now via a cadet scheme. Aer Arann is limited to say the least. Ryanair is your only man and there's no guarantee at that to be interviewed is there? It's not akin to CTC really is it where they chase Easyjet contracts for its students...

Just being realistic is all for the moment. I think it's a positive to see integrated training here. I hope it turns Weston into something to be proud of.

xflyer

Alan there's 'links' and there's links. I was thinking of the more informal kind. Like getting a good reference. No it's not like CTC. But that isn't to say it couldn't happen in the future.

happy_head

All i know is that KoC is a popular fella in the aviation industry in Ireland and has helped some of NFCs modular students get interviews. Then its up to yourself after that.

GoGoGadget

alan85 wrote: »

What follow ups do they offer if you don't gain immediate employment? Sim checks?

I would put this up as a pro, they say on the website they'll renew your first IR.

Did my PPL here and have to say they're a good honest flight school, a lot of the instructors are excellent too.

€65k is pretty good for an integrated school with a MCC included.

Gar-Bar

Hi all, I am a student on the first integrated course with NFC. We started on the 4th of July studying the first 8 ATPL subjects. We have had the highest calibre of lecturers for which the full time ground school has been excellent. We (class of 7) completed the first 8 IAA exams 2 weeks ago in Weston. We had 100% passes in the exams.

I have found the set up and school to be excellent and would highly recommend the course. Have a look at the website and call over to the guys for a chat!

boredbaby

Gar-Bar wrote: »

Hi all, I am a student on the first integrated course with NFC. We started on the 4th of July studying the first 8 ATPL subjects. We have had the highest calibre of lecturers for which the full time ground school has been excellent. We (class of 7) completed the first 8 IAA exams 2 weeks ago in Weston. We had 100% passes in the exams.

I have found the set up and school to be excellent and would highly recommend the course. Have a look at the website and call over to the guys for a chat!

Word on the street is that the groundschool lecturers are aer corps pilots. Not sure if this is true or not as I can't imagine why it wouldn't be NFC instructors doing the groundschool.

Anyway, 65k sounds like a very good price. A lot less than I paid for my heli training back in the day!

happy_head

Gar-Bar wrote: »

Hi all, I am a student on the first integrated course with NFC. We started on the 4th of July studying the first 8 ATPL subjects. We have had the highest calibre of lecturers for which the full time ground school has been excellent. We (class of 7) completed the first 8 IAA exams 2 weeks ago in Weston. We had 100% passes in the exams.

I have found the set up and school to be excellent and would highly recommend the course. Have a look at the website and call over to the guys for a chat!

Hi Gar-Bar do you complete all the ATPL theory before the flight training? Is 7 students the max amount in each course, I thought i heard 8 being the max. And do you do the training in 152 or 172? Thanks

Gar-Bar

happy_head wrote: »

Hi Gar-Bar do you complete all the ATPL theory before the flight training? Is 7 students the max amount in each course, I thought i heard 8 being the max. And do you do the training in 152 or 172? Thanks

Hi,

Yes all the theory is completed before flight training. We have just started into our second module of the remaining subjects. This will take us up to the IAA exams at xmas. Early new year we will begin flight training on 152 and progress onto 172 and twin engine.

Our class is 7 and I think the school have a limit of 8. This size of class works very well as we have a good interaction during the lectures. The lecturers are top notch and are extremely well grounded on their respective subject. This clearly manifested itself in the quality results we achieved in our first sitting of 8 exams.

I had spent about 2-3 years exploring various flight schools and the majority provide self directed computer based training. NFC wins hands down for the cost providing full time lectures for the entire theory course.

globemaster1986

Gar-Bar wrote: »

Hi,

Yes all the theory is completed before flight training. We have just started into our second module of the remaining subjects. This will take us up to the IAA exams at xmas. Early new year we will begin flight training on 152 and progress onto 172 and twin engine.

Our class is 7 and I think the school have a limit of 8. This size of class works very well as we have a good interaction during the lectures. The lecturers are top notch and are extremely well grounded on their respective subject. This clearly manifested itself in the quality results we achieved in our first sitting of 8 exams.

I had spent about 2-3 years exploring various flight schools and the majority provide self directed computer based training. NFC wins hands down for the cost providing full time lectures for the entire theory course.

Wow 8 exams in one sitting! Sounds like tough going! Which 8 did you do?

I'm not sure I'd be happy doing all the ATPLs before any flying. I find having done my PPL before starting the ATPLs makes it easier for a lot of the subjects, having some practical experience to relate the theoretical side to. How do you find it not having started flying yet?

Gar-Bar

globemaster1986 wrote: »

Gar-Bar wrote: »

Hi,

Yes all the theory is completed before flight training. We have just started into our second module of the remaining subjects. This will take us up to the IAA exams at xmas. Early new year we will begin flight training on 152 and progress onto 172 and twin engine.

Our class is 7 and I think the school have a limit of 8. This size of class works very well as we have a good interaction during the lectures. The lecturers are top notch and are extremely well grounded on their respective subject. This clearly manifested itself in the quality results we achieved in our first sitting of 8 exams.

I had spent about 2-3 years exploring various flight schools and the majority provide self directed computer based training. NFC wins hands down for the cost providing full time lectures for the entire theory course.

Wow 8 exams in one sitting! Sounds like tough going! Which 8 did you do?

I'm not sure I'd be happy doing all the ATPLs before any flying. I find having done my PPL before starting the ATPLs makes it easier for a lot of the subjects, having some practical experience to relate the theoretical side to. How do you find it not having started flying yet?

First 8

2 x Comms
HPL
Instrumentation
M&B
Performance
Radio Navigation
PoF

I had done about 20 hours of flying with NFC prior to the course. It is of benefit for the early stages of PoF. I cannot express how well the instructors imparted the course material. Essentially no flying experience is needed.

Again the school in general has a great friendly atmosphere and I would recommend people to call over for a tour/chat.

Cessna_Pilot

I did 8 exams and then the remaining 6 exams in two sittings having studied with Bristol Ground school, all by distance learning. Above 90% average results across the board. Very possible if you put your mind to it.

darraghw

Does anyone know how this course compares to the one offered by atlantic in cork? Is the course with NFC the only 'real' integrated course in Ireland at the moment?

xflyer

Well if the Atlantic course includes a PPL then it's not a 'proper' integrated course. I think the NFC is the only proper one.

Contrails

Hi gar-bar, dont suppose you could answer a few questions about the APP or me?

What days and times is training carried out during the week?
What is the assessment like? Mostly maths focused?
Do you reckon there would be a discount for having a ppl and 50 hours already?