Methods of training

When it comes to flight training, there are two methods at the very base level, barring the other methods. However, each method of training depends on what kind of pilot you want to become and how far you want to go in your training. But without further ado, let's get right into the two base methods:

1. Integrated (Ab-Initio) Training

2. Modular Training

Integrated Training:

Integrated (also known as Ab-Initio) training is basically a very structured approach to flight training, and is commonly designed to take aspiring pilots from zero hours to the flight deck/cockpit (if the program is partnered with an airline), or to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

The benefit of pursuing flight training via the Integrated method is that it requires fewer hours of training due to the fact that the structured approach prioritizes retention of knowledge, by training you without any breaks or time-gaps in your training. Consequently, this shortens your training duration and helps you obtain your licenses faster.

The downside to this method of training is that more often than not, integrated programs are more expensive than their modular counterparts, although quite a few offer financing options.

Modular Training:

Modular (also known as Pay-as-you-go) training separates training into phases or modules that can be taken individually according to the student pilot's requirement. For example, a student that holds a Private Pilot License (PPL) may not necessarily want to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) but may just want to acquire their Instrument Rating in order to fly at night or in cloudy weather. In this case, the student would simply enroll for the Instrument Rating course without having to pay for anything else. A massive benefit that this method of training provides is that it makes flight training much more economical, due to the fact that you can pay when you want to train, or train when you want to pay. In other words, you get to train at your own pace, so if you took 5 flight lessons a month - and then suddenly realized you wouldn't be able to train the coming month, you wouldn't have a tuition fee payment deadline hovering over your head, you could simply decide to resume your training later, whenever possible.

Mathematically speaking, if an Integrated Program comprising a PPL, CPL, and ME-IR were to cost $50,000, and the training duration were to be 8 months for fast-tracking training, that would come to be about ~$6000 per month, and you would need to have funding in place every month till the training concluded.

On the other hand, if each of those licenses and ratings still cost $50,000 but were to be done the modular way, you could reduce the amount you have to pay each month simply by extending your training duration (i.e. training over a longer period of time), so if you were to take 18 months to finish training instead, that would cost you a little over $2700 ($2777 to be exact) per month with the modular route, against ~$6000 with the Integrated route. Notice how much easier financing the training becomes, even though the program cost the same, extending the training duration prevents concentrating costs over a shorter period of time.

To put it simply:

$50,000 / 8 months = ~$6000 per month

$50,000 / 18 months = $2700 per month

I have used hypothetical numbers but you can compare different programs and see the difference for yourself.

Now, if modular training is so affordable, why would anyone go for Integrated?

There are a few upsides to Integrated and a few downsides to Modular modes of training, and we'll include them in the recap below:

1. Integrated training:

Benefits:

1. Faster and continuous training leads to better retention of lessons and shorter training duration

2. Some airline-partnered programs essentially guarantee inducting the student post-completion of training provided the training was completed successfully and provided there are vacancies

Downsides:

1. More expensive as shorter training duration concentrates the cost over a shorter period of time, so monthly tuition payments may be higher

2. Financing is not always available, and where available it is subject to various terms and conditions and is also based on the student's eligibility.

2. Modular Training:

Benefits:

1. Typically pay-as-you-go, allowing you to set your pace of training and payment schedule.

2. More affordable as you can lengthen the training duration if need be, reducing monthly tuition costs.

Downsides:

1. Lengthening or stretching the training duration comes with its own drawbacks, as retention of lessons learned may be reduced, requiring you to re-take lessons, thereby adding to your costs. Some flight schools, however, account for additional training costs in their program fees.

2. Higher hour requirements comparatively as the training is not as structured, for example, a Private Pilot License requires 35 hours of training in an Integrated pathway vs 40 hours for a Modular approach.

Which mode of training should you opt for?

Overall, the short answer is that it depends on a few factors, including, but not limited to:

• The amount of time you wish you complete your training in: If you wish to complete your training faster, you could train full-time via a modular route and progress through your training quickly, but an Integrated approach would be more ideal as a lot of Integrated programs have Fast-Track (also known as Accelerated) options available. However, if you are okay with however much time you may need to complete your training, a modular route would be fine as well as more affordable.

• Your finances: As discussed, Integrated programs generally tend to cost more than Modular ones, and usually require either partial or full prepayment of the program fees. If you are not comfortable or able to proceed this way, you may choose to opt for the Modular route. However, if you have a funding solution in place, an Integrated program would get you your licenses much faster as mentioned in the first point.