Young, Frustrated Private Pilot!

[willow_79]

Hi Everyone!

Please will someone help me!

I'm a frustrated 24 year old Private Pilot, holder of a lifetime ambition of becoming an airline pilot, waiting for the opportunity to fulfill it.

I started to learn to fly when I left school at 16.

I flew my first solo on my 17th birthday and achieved my PPL at 20.

From then on, there was nothing stopping me, so I carried on and did my IMC rating.

After this I decided to attempt going all the way and took a month of work to study for the technical exams for the ATPL at PPSC Bournemouth Airport.

I sat the exams at oxford airport, but unfortunately failed them, missing the mark by 10% on each, later to be told that a month was not long enough to study, so I thought I did well anyway.

After this disappointment, I finally ran out of money and in to a bit of debt after taking out a loan, so therefore could no longer carry on with what I wanted to do, so I turned to sponsorship and have attended various seminars thoughout the country.

Again unfortuantely I have gone away from each of these seminars with disappointment as the acadamic qualifications required are something which I do not have.

I have 9 GCSE's but no A'levels and I get turned down everytime because of it.

I have a total of 103 hours on various aircraft and on the verge of giving up the whole flying game.

All I want to do and have done all my life is become an airline pilot and I don't understand why my acadamic qualifications should effect me getting a sponsorship as this will not effect the way I fly. I'm an excellent pilot and very very motivated.

I look forward to your replies

Thanks

[5150]

I do sympathise with you, as I was in your position for years too, before finally getting sponsored at a similar age you are now.

I too was getting knocked-back at an early age, but you have to persevere.

No one cares that you went solo on yr 17th birthday, or when you got your licence. In the business of getting sponsored, it's all about what you have to offer - being 'highly motivated' and an 'excellent pilot' will just get laughed at on any application - the latter will probably see it chucked in the bin.

If you haven't got the raw materials (£££) to get your commercials, then you need bits of paper and a personality that will sell yourself well, should you get an interview.

Stop looking backwards and look ahead at how you can go from here.

I don't mean to be harsh, but these are the facts that you are faced with and you need to be harsh on yourself. The industry does not owe you a living.......

Good luck

[Leo8]

Have you tried Atlantic Flight Training in Coventry?

They run a fully sponsored scheme where you work doing all kinds of odd jobs in return for all the training. I think they bond you for five years after that. Good airline and excellent training. Loads of aircraft too. DC-3. DC-6, ATR42, Metro, electra and others. Well worth taking a look at but dont leave it too long. I think their cut off age is a lot lower than most sponsorships.

Other than that, good luck. Keep trying. If you really want it, you will get there one day.

[skyman68]

try Bristol.gs, the best school in the world. I have talk with lot of students in England and all around the world. and Bristol students have a higher pass rate. something 10% higher than the everage.For me, Bristol was perfect, english is not my first language and I passed all ATPL exams without any problems. So give them a shout, and ask for their doc...

now I am an airline pilot, I am still fristrated,I do not find any job and I have 20 times ur experience, but do not give up...."c'est la vie"

[willow_79]

Thanks for your comments guys, I really do appreciate it.

Leo8, I will try the Atlantic Flight training in Coventry and see what they have to offer.

Thanks again

[someuser]

Would you work as an airline pilot abroad?

MEA (Middle East Airlines) are taking pilots of your qualifications, how about you contact them?

They are taking people who know the basic of flying and they will train you for the A330's they have.

www.MEA.com.lb

Good luck