u/Norton__V

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to start my aviation career soon and I'm torn between two routes, both based in Hungary.

Option 1: Wizz Air Pilot Academy

• Timeline: 17–21 months.
• Money: €14k upfront, with the remaining €47.5k (for ab initio) + €25k (for type rating) deferred and paid back out of my First Officer salary over 5 years.
• Pros: Conditional job guarantee and type rating is sponsored
• Cons: No university degree and I have to relocate (paying for my own accommodation there)

Option 2: Pilot BSc

• Timeline: 3.5 years (7 semesters).
• Money: Total cost is around the same as WAPA, but I can use a student loan, which is completely interest-free and requires no upfront investment.
• Pros: I get a BSc degree and I get to stay living at home
• Cons: Takes almost twice as long to finish, no Type Rating, and zero job guarantees

My two main questions imo are this: How important is a degree in aviation in Europe, is it worth the extra time? How hard is it to get a first job straight out of uni without a Type Rating?

I appreciate any insights! Which option would you all chose?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to start my aviation career soon and I'm torn between two routes, both based in Hungary.

Option 1: Wizz Air Pilot Academy

• Timeline: 17–21 months.
• Money: €14k upfront, with the remaining €47.5k (for ab initio) + €25k (for type rating) deferred and paid back out of my First Officer salary over 5 years.
• Pros: Conditional job guarantee and type rating is sponsored
• Cons: No university degree and I have to relocate (paying for my own accommodation there)

Option 2: Pilot BSc

• Timeline: 3.5 years (7 semesters).
• Money: Total cost is around the same as WAPA, but I can use a student loan, which is completely interest-free and requires no upfront investment.
• Pros: I get a BSc degree and I get to stay living at home
• Cons: Takes almost twice as long to finish, no Type Rating, and zero job guarantees

My two main questions imo are this: How important is a degree in aviation in Europe, is it worth the extra time? How hard is it to get a first job straight out of uni without a Type Rating?

I appreciate any insights! Which option would you all chose?