Wings Alliance graduate gains employment with Eastern Airways 3 months after finishing modular flight training

We are extremely pleased to hear that one of our most recent Wings Alliance graduates, Sam Carey, has just been accepted for a position with Eastern Airways as a first officer, flying the ATR aircraft out of East Midlands Airport, just three months after completing his APS MCC course.

Sam joined the Wings Alliance in September 2019, after completing our Airline Pilot Assessment Day. He completed his PPL, ATPL and hour building  while working full-time, and then he completed his  MEIR / CPL on a full-time basis. Sam completed his APS MCC course with VA Airline Training, a Wings Alliance’s training partner and then he completed the Wings Alliance Airline Preparation Day.

This is fantastic news, and proof that in the current market, with the right perseverance and preparation, it is possible to gain employment very soon after completing your flight training. After graduating from university, Sam started a career in data analytics while saving for his flight training. During his time as a data analyst, he was promoted to a management role, which helped him to develop transferable interpersonal skills, and within 4 years he was in a position to take the plunge and venture on his journey to becoming a pilot.

Sam completed all of his flight training as a Wings Alliance member. He studied his ATPL theory with Bristol Groundschool through distance learning while completing his hour-building with Sherburn Aero Club. Sam then went on to do his Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot’s Licence with Stapleford Flight Centre. 

 

We interviewed Sam on his experience training as a modular student, and what advice he would give to other aspiring pilots:

 

• What made you choose the modular route over integrated? 

“The main reason I chose the modular route is because it is considerably cheaper than going integrated, allowing me to work whilst training which ultimately financed my training. It also enabled me to be flexible when picking the flight schools I attended, ensuring they were the right fit for me and within my budget. The modular route also allowed me to have a life outside of aviation, as I was in control of my training, I could have weeks off, go on holiday and generally just have more flexibility throughout my training.”

 

• Would you recommend BGS for their ATPL study, and why?

“Yes, BGS was great for my ATPL study. I was working full-time whilst studying and the flexibility you get through BGS allowed me to create a study plan that worked for me, ensuring I could continue to work 40 hours per week and achieve strong ATPL results. I found the revision weeks and pre-recorded webinars extremely useful, especially for subjects I struggled to get my head around. 

 

• Why did you choose to join The Wings Alliance?

“I joined Wings Alliance because of their strong graduate employment records and the guidance they provide throughout your training. Modular training can sometimes leave you feeling like you’re on your own and you don’t always have people to speak to for guidance around next steps in training. This is where Wings Alliance really benefited me as they were always there to support and mentor me throughout all my training. The Airline Preparation Day I attended after my training was also vital in helping me get airline ready and secure my first job.”

 

• Which flight training providers did you complete your training with?

PPL: Sherburn Aero Club – 17/09/2019 to 08/10/2020

Night Rating: Advanced Flight Training – 12/01/2021 to 18/01/2021

ATPL Theory: Bristol Groundschool – 04/01/2021 to 09/06/2022

CPL and MEIR: Stapleford Flight Centre – 07/09/2022 to 21/02/2023

Advanced UPRT: British Aerobatic Academy – 20/02/2023 to 21/02/2023

APS MCC: VA Airline Training – 13/03/2023 to 01/04/2023 

 

• Would you recommend VA for the APS MCC Course and why?

“Yes, VA was amazing and really helped me combine all the skills I had learnt throughout my training with the interpersonal skills required to be an airline pilot. Part of the APS MCC course at VA is training and preparing for simulator assessments, this gave me confidence going into my airline simulator assessment as I knew what to expect and it resulted in a pass.”

 

• What aspects of the Wings Alliance Airline Preparation Day did you find particularly useful?

“The insight into the types of questions asked during a pilot interview and what to expect from group exercises was extremely useful. The tips and techniques taught on the day showed me how to prepare for assessments to give me the best chance of being successful. I also found this a great opportunity to get my CV and cover letters reviewed by someone in the industry.”

 

• What advice would you give to other budding modular students from your experience?

“Attend pilot career events and open days to ensure you find the schools that are right for you.

Plan your training budget and add at least 10% (training never goes as planned)

Ensure the schools you pick fit your budget but don’t sacrifice quality of training for cost so, do your research before starting (speak to current students/graduates and attend open days).

Don’t let the “airlines prefer integrated students” quote affect your decision. This isn’t true and I met a lot of modular students throughout my training that have secured jobs at a range of airlines.

Don’t pay upfront for any of your flight training, there have been a few flight schools going into administration this year with students losing thousands of pounds. Ensure you can ‘pay as you fly’ at the schools you choose in order to limit risk.”

 

We are extremely proud of Sam’s achievements, and we wish him the best of luck with his future career at Eastern Airways. If you would like to follow in Sam’s footsteps, and find out how to get started with your training, visit our website