FTA has announced, at Pilot Careers Live London, a new ‘Economy Integrated Flight Deck Programme,’ which according to the trainer, will take students from little or no flight experience to a ‘Frozen ATPL’ within 16-18 months. Following a review of the course costs, the new cost of the course is £59,950.
A team at the ATO explained that the programme demonstrates a continued commitment to cost optimisation, client value for money and ensuring that commercial pilot training is as accessible as possible. When asked how the saving will be achieved, the team explained that elementary flight phases will be based at FTA’s satellite base at Teruel Airport in Aragon Spain, which is near Valencia. Cadets will complete flight phases 1, 2 and 3 of their training at Teruel Airport (the first 80 flight hours) in Piper PA-28 aircraft.
The new Economy Integrated Flight Deck Programme course will replace the existing Economy course and has the first intake of cadets scheduled for 22 February 2016, with further course dates to be announced shortly. This new course is currently only available to EU students due to visa requirements. Non- EU students can still apply to the standard 100% UK based Integrated Flight Deck Programme.
“We’re really excited to be able to offer this value for money Integrated Flight Deck Programme without compromising on quality,” says Jonathan Candelon, MD at FTA. “The course still allows for students to complete most of the course in the UK (including all the advanced sections in the UK’s complex airspace).”
“Flying hours in Teruel mean that costs are lower for various reasons,” he added. “Firstly, training completed in Spain does not incur VAT and the operation of Piper PA-28 training aircraft costs less than Diamond DA40s and DA42s. The partnership we have structured with Teruel airport also enables us to benefit from lowered base costs. Our company group also owns the airport operating company in the UK (Brighton City Airport Limited) and an aircraft maintenance company, bringing further cost savings. The Piper PA28s are able to fly more hours in Spain’s great weather conditions, thus decreasing operational costs further – and we are passing these savings directly onto our students or their sponsors.”
More details in the coming days.
