Which one is best modular or integrated flight training?
Which one is best modular or integrated flight training?
Woo, get comfortable because this is important if you consider becoming a pilot.
Deciding on modular or integrated flight training is an important stage of planning your flight training. Yet most never really consider this stage. Why? Lack of knowledge perhaps and because most flying schools don’t advertise or explain the modular route.
Our tip is don’t be fooled by the marketing of flying schools. At least consider the modular route. Here we will tell you all the pros and cons of both routes.
How do I become a pilot?
Today you can become a pilot in as little as 18 months if you pick a training school where the weather is good. In Europe, the price for pilot training varies between 60.000 EUR to 120.000 EUR. The price is depending on the country and flying school.
In other parts of the world becoming a pilot is considerably cheaper.
The reason for the difference in price can be a lot of things like
- landing fees
- local taxes
- airplane type
- the background of instructors
- school network
- and if you are considering the modular or the integrated route
It is not always black and white which route is the best. It depends on your individual circumstances but let’s look at how the two options may differ:
We think the biggest difference between the modular and integrated pilot training options is the training environment.
Pressure to learn
As an integrated student, it is normal to feel pressure from the school. You constantly need to be able to follow an expected learning curve. It is not uncommon that a student is kicked out of the integrated school because of poor performance.
The modular student hasn’t got this pressure. Training the modular way, nobody really overlooks your performance. At the end of the day, if you are not at the expected level, you just book an extra lesson.
Deciding who you fly with
The integrated student has rarely got the option to pick an instructor. You fly with who the flying planner sets you up with.
As a modular student, you have full control of who you fly with. If there is an instructor you don’t like, you just don’t book that instructor. If there is an instructor you love flying with, you just go with that instructor as often as you like.
Preferential treatment
Some schools offer both integrated and modular courses. These schools tend to give their integrated students preference when it comes to booking planes and instructors. At these schools there tends to be an unspoken hierarchy where the integrated students think they rank above the modular students.
Size of the school
Schools offering the integrated course are often a lot larger/ bigger than schools offering modular courses.
Network
Schools with integrated courses usually claim that they have some kind of arrangement with one or more Operators. This is usually nothing more than being able to apply for a job directly after graduation.
Schools offering modular courses rarely have any firm arrangements with any Operators. You learn to fly with them, that is usually it.
Airplanes
Integrated students tend to fly their training on modern airplanes.
Modular students tend to train on more basic airplanes.
Price
The integrated courses can sometimes be sold at a premium, in particular, if they include some kind of link/ promise of jobs after graduation.
The modular route can sometimes be completed at half the price of the integrated route. However, expenses can quickly run out of hand if you end up with a lot of self-induced extra lessons.
Learning pace
As an integrated student, you have to keep up with the pace as “the show must go on”.
The modular student can go over a subject again and again and control the pace.
Planning of flight training
The integrated student pilots follow a class and program as laid out by the school. You rarely have an opportunity to take a holiday or break when you want it.
The modular student is in charge of their own training and planning. You can take as many holidays and breaks as you want. If you are not on the ball at all times and planning ahead, you will be graduating a lot slower than integrated students.
Accommodation
Some schools offer accommodation for their integrated students which can be very handy if you study abroad. Modular courses rarely have this offer.
Who is the best
If you ask the integrated pilots, they tend to think they are the better pilots. Modular pilots tend to be a bit more balanced and modest about how they rank in the industry. This is perhaps only natural. Modular pilots have completed their training alone with few opportunities to compare their performance against others.
Securing finance
Schools offering integrated training usually have one or two banks they work with. The integrated training program is well documented and described.
The modular route is often less described in fancy brochures etc. As a result, a bank that does not understand the aviation industry might be more skeptical. This might sound strange as the amount you are asking for is a lot less when going modular.
Government support
In some countries training to become a pilot is supported by the government with monthly support payments and access to government secured loans. This is however usually limited to integrated courses.
License
Integrated students tend to only get the licenses required to work for an airline. The modular pilot also ends up with a PPL (private pilot license). A PPL can be used to rent a small airplane and fly with friends and family. There is nothing preventing the integrated student from getting a PPL if they want to, but it usually comes at an extra cost.
When it comes to MCC (multi-crew cooperation course) the integrated pilot will usually have this as part of the basic training package. The modular pilot has the freedom to combine the MCC with a type rating. This can be a smart move as it may give the pilot more training on the type and save money.
How many go for modular flight training and how many go for an integrated flight training?
It is hard to find reliable data, but our estimate is that 90% of all commercial pilots decide on the integrated route.
Why are there so few that go for modular flight training?
We think the main reason is that the modular route is rarely advertised and not all schools offer the modular route.
The integrated schools are usually quite aggressive on social media. They are the ones you will meet at job seminars, conferences, etc. The schools offering modular courses rarely spend a lot of money on advertisement. They usually have a majority of customers that just want to get a private pilot license and fly for fun.
Is modular flight training lower ranked?
In the industry, modular flight training has historically had a slightly bad reputation, but over the last few years this has disappeared but there are still a few Operators where the integrated student may have a slight advantage.
An advantage of the modular flight training
If you would like to start your career flying small airplanes, sightseeing tours, parachute jumping, banner towing, etc. then the modular student may have a better network to do so. Integrated students tend to stay within the flight school bubble and not really socialize with the rest of the industry.
Decision time – which one?
The modular route requires you to do a lot of planning. You need to be disciplined to keep track of your training. If you already know that you work best with someone telling you what to do all the time – then stop right there – go integrated.
The modular route can be completed just as fast as the integrated route. However usually, pilots going down the modular route are about 2- 4 months slower.
If you have commitments like a partner or kids the modular course can give you the flexibility you need. Alongside a modular course, you may be able to do part-time or even full-time employment.
Typically integrated pilot courses have a majority of students that are at the beginning of the twenties. Modular pilots tend to be older.
Need a little help still?
We hope you found this information useful.
Remember that all flyings schools tend to present themselves as the best. Do take your time to select the school you think will suit you the best.
If you need any non-biased professional advice we are happy to help you. You can either call us on +45 5352 7700 or write to us at contact@askapilot.net. We always offer 15 minutes coaching free of charge.
In regards to becoming a pilot right now, you might be interested in reading these:
Should I start pilot training in 2021?
Happy landings!
