My son (15) chooses his future career – PPL here we come

[gberry]

A bit of background, a good friend of our completed his PPL(H) and then acquired an R44. He took my son and I for a few trips and that’s when it happened ! My son was 14 at the time (Last) year and had to choose his GCSE subjects and dropped the bomb shell. Dad I think I want to be a pilot !!!
Well I can think of many worse jobs so…. Good for you son……… little did I know then……

Now my son is 15 and its getting serious now……. So three weeks ago I decided to test him to see if he really wanted to do this.
We chose Booker (Wycombe Park), it’s about an hour’s drive from where we live and we could have gone to Elstree, it’s a long story which I will not bore you with but decision made. The British Airways Flying Club is here and the moment my son clapped eyes on it, it was as good as sealed.

We went up for a trial lesson with an instructor (David) who put us all through our paces sharp left and right turns, steep climbs and nose dives, stalls, the works, the more extreme the manoeuvre the more my son loved it.
My son took controls for a short while and the bottom line, he just fell in love with flying.
The plan is for him to start his hours now at 15 so that in July when he turns 16 he can go solo.
Then Pass his PPL, get some hours in and possible type rating.

Would like peoples advice on which ground exams we should do? Is there any order what would be best to do them in?
As he wants to go on and do his CPL then we will do a Class I medical, any Airlines that would consider sponsorship?

I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

[jollyrog]

The Air League - Getting young men and women into the air (http://www.airleague.co.uk/scholarships.html)

... is a good start. Someone who knows a lot about this will be along soon to give you more information, I hope.

[BRS_flyer]

Hello:

First step for you and your son should be to have a good read through the threads on this page: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=131649

Sponsorship opportunities are few and far between but do exist with the following companies.

RVL based in Coventry
Atlantic airlines also based in Coventry
Highland Airlines
Ethiad ( very tough and somtimes Limited to UAE nationals)
When the hiring is good some airlines use a company called CTC based in Bournemouth to train cadets and take the cost of training out of their salarys. Not happening at the moment though, needless to say.

More common are schmes known as MAPS (mentored airline pilot schemes) where an airline makes a provisional job offer to a cadet as long as they pass a fully integrated pilot training course. The rub is that the cost of the course (usually much more than other providers) is shouldered by the cadet, and the job offer at the end is not always set in stone:*

My advice to your son would be to complete the PPL and continue to build hours slowly while still at school. Although a degree is not always nessesery it is a great help and A levels in Maths and Physics are useful when it comes to doing the ATPL theory (take it from someone who is doing them now and has neither).

The threads I refered you to above have a lot of information, but if after reading them you have any other questions drop me a PM.

[expedite08]

And for crying out loud make sure he gets a degree behind him OR a skilled trade!! Ie plumber or whatever, but a skill!! Take it from someone who is in the situation that hasnt got a 'trade' or specialist qualification to fall back on!! Look on the wannabes forums to see the current economic crisis in full and read some of the hardship stories that many have psoted! I would rather you read them as his parent! That way you can nurture him in the right direction and see that he will do well regardless!

With regard to the finances, you are probably aware of the cost of the flying but, do not get sucked in to the glossy brochures and sexy flight deck pictures that a lot of schools use to get you in the net!!!

A small school will most probably provide you with an excellent level of training, it has for me! Please feel free to PM for any further info!

Now as I run for cover and get accused of being a doom and gloom merchant, do a little research, and you will then build up a better picture of the situation of becomming a professional pilot! Its a hard slog and most of it will be great fun, but there will be times when he will wonder what on earth he is doing when all his friends are driving around in BMW's etc and hes living on pasta and beans in a one bedroom bedsit!!!

BUT its great fun nevertheless!!

Best of luck to your son!!! :ok:

[vanHorck]

PILOT is a great profession for your son if he has the right academic level and the eye hand coordination, aptitude, general health required.

There are modular courses (PPL- IR - MEP- CPL) and there is the integrated education.

Becoming a pilot is an expensive schooling (well over 100.000 euros in total by now) so it would be wise to make sure he has the right aptitude and the correct secondary school levels to choose either the modular or integrated route.

Meanwhile he can practice on a good quality flight simulator and read plenty of books bout flying, both about the work and the theory behind flight.

If he was my 15 year old son, I d tell him I will support him IF he gets his A-levels first, and meanwhile support him with the books, flight simulator and perhaps A SLOW start to his PPL, perhaps one lesson every two weeks.

If he still wants to become a pilot when he has his A levels, by then HE will know exactly what is the best course suited for him.

Good luck!

[gberry]

Firstly, thank you to you all that have either red the blog and especially to those that responded with some great advice. I’m going into this with my eyes open, yes there is a cost and who knows what tomorrow brings, if I’m out of work then fly, with many other things will stop, but whilst I can support him then I will, with the understanding that he is only 15 and a lot can change.
‘A’ levels…………you bet, Uni…. Probably, the advice about get a trade, good sound advice and the ‘A’ levels in Maths & Physics are the grounding for many trades.

So, although I only blogged yesterday, it was to start the story really. Since his trial flight we to the school on the 18th October, got the day wrong and they had no available aircraft but we covered some ground work, which was some good basic stuff.

Saturday (25th October) we had a two hour session, with ground work covering what we learnt the week before and then 1 hour 10 mins flying in which my son did 80% of the flying, we covered primary and secondary effects on surfaces and controls, Trimming, turning (of course), and getting used to the controls in general. My son did the take off abut due to high cross winds our instructor took the controls.
Overall I think our instructor was pleased with him and told me that he had a natural touch and that if this continues we could do this within the 35 hours. I feel the challenge is really the ground work and the exams…… flying is the fun bit………. Another session this week and then a break for a couple of weeks. Every two weeks or three seems good advice to me, steady as she goes….. (oh that’s a navel saying !)

[GWidgery]

Welcome to the world of aviation!

I agree a lot with what the other guys have been saying here. Read up on as much as you can, you'll never know too much.

With the decision of whether to go to uni, that's something only he can decide. I didn't, and am still mostly happy with that decision, however it may well be coming back to bite me quite soon when I finish training and may well not be able to find a job for some time. But then the other side of the coin is the extra debt!

You mentioned about completing the course in the 35 hours. That makes me think that you might be going for the NPPL (National PPL). If your son definitely has the intention of going onto commercial flying at some point it would probably make more sense to go for the JAR PPL - a much more widely recognised licence (min 45hrs flying). The slight extra cost now would most probably be offset by the benefits in the future.

The training for the two licences is somewhat similar, however the NPPL has more limiting privileges.

[Put1992]

The plan is for him to start his hours now at 15 so that in July when he turns 16 he can go solo.

If you do this, make sure the hours are frequent, and at regular intervals. And forget putting pressure on him to do it at 16, it's not even worth it.

Ensure he is aware of flying jobs other then airline pilot. It's not the only option out there.

Oh, and because he's still a kid, make sure he lives his teenage years in a good way, not just making them 100% about flying. Because otherwise, alot of catching up may want to be done at some point, and it better come at a good time!

Cheers

[Mirage962]

Having started my training at a similar age (although I don't want to fly commercially) I would agree with Put1992.

I did my first solo on my 16th birthday, and was aiming to have my skills test and everything done by my 17th birthday, but I found that with AS levels and stupid amounts of schoolwork it just wasn't practical.

It was mainly studying for the ground exams that was a problem for me, so I'm sure it would be easily possible for someone more organised than me and with more free time than I had. However the extra pressure could be a problem and could turn the training into a chore as opposed to something that your son loves doing.

I've found that taking it all slowly and at my own pace has been of huge benefit to me, and I've loved every minute of it. I hope your son will too, and I wish him the best of luck. :ok:

[Put1992]

I did my first solo on my 16th birthday, and was aiming to have my skills test and everything done by my 17th birthday, but I found that with AS levels and stupid amounts of schoolwork it just wasn't practical.

It was mainly studying for the ground exams that was a problem for me, so I'm sure it would be easily possible for someone more organised than me and with more free time than I had. However the extra pressure could be a problem and could turn the training into a chore as opposed to something that your son loves doing.

Im facing similar problems at the moment. Organisation isn't just the problem for me, some other problems I never thought I would face have come forth. The fact that I am in education full time all week never seems to be considered when ground exams are thrown at me. I simply don't have all the time in the world to be reading flying books at every spare moment.

He's young, and as much as a young face is great in this game, you start to realise how starting so young can actually be a disadvantage, as much as you didnt want to beleive it 3 years ago. If I could go back, I'd still do flying, but go about it in a completely different way.

It really isn't easy, and stress from flying could be done without at alot of the time in a young persons life, so really consider waiting a while. But your not going to stop him if he is determined, which is why I feel he should be on here asking the questions, not you:ok:

Cheers

[cockney steve]

Just a note of caution....I'd suggest that a thorough medical is taken, PRIOR to any Commercial training!

It would be pretty damned silly to spend a small fortune aquiring all the practical and theory skills, just to find the body isn't up to scratch.

[Mirage962]

...starting so young can actually be a disadvantage, as much as you didnt want to believe it 3 years ago. If I could go back, I'd still do flying, but go about it in a completely different way.I have to say the same thoughts have occurred to me, and the main problem I'm faced with now is how I'm going to afford to keep flying whilst hopefully going to University from next September.

However, there have also been huge advantages for me in starting flying young, which I think have outweighed the negative aspects. It's made me a much more confident person, I've become much more involved in aviation and it's got me a lot of experience which is going to be extremely helpful to me in the future. I think that would be of benefit to your son. Unlike Put1992, if I could go back I'm pretty sure I would still start flying young, as it's brought me so many fantastic experiences and unforgettable memories. But as with most things, those are going to come with some negatives too.

Sorry if I'm waffling...:bored:

[Put1992]

Oh I'd still do it young without a doubt! I meant i'd do things differently e.g. start at 15 rather then 14, have more regular lessons, get my theory exams done as early as possible, and live the last 3 years a bit differently :ok:

All in hindsight, im still happy with what i've done. The advantages outweight the disadvantages.

cheers

[Pace]

‘A’ levels…………you bet, Uni…. Probably, the advice about get a trade, good sound advice and the ‘A’ levels in Maths & Physics are the grounding for many trades.

Hi my son was the same although he flew with me since he was knee high.
He soloed at 16 got his PPL and then flatly refused to go the university way although he was advised to.

He went straight to Oxford on a modular course and then through the CTC selection process. He was selected and by the age of 20 in their hold pool waiting a position for his type rating.

after the best part of a year in the hold pool he was selected by EasyJet. He was type rated on the 737 through CTC and at the age of 22 is flying as a first officer for EasyJet with a salary of around 40K which isnt bad for a 22 year old.

I did my best to put him off aviation but he was very determined, worked very hard and was totally dedicated. He is a far better pilot than his dad :)

Pace

[Put1992]

Pace, Very well done to him indeed.

However, when was that?

[Lister Noble]

Solo
22-16=6 years ago.;);)

[Pace]

Put1992

Pace, Very well done to him indeed.

However, when was that?

He Finished his type rating and started on a six month contract with EasyJet at the start of this year aged 22. He has now finished the six months and has been taken onto a full contract. They are worked hard as he has already ammassed 600 hrs 737 time with EasyJet Maybe he will be a Captain by 25/26 :)

On one trip he was telling me that they had the cockpit door open while passenegers were boarding. The couple nearest the front asked how old the co-pilot in the right seat was. When the Cabin crew asked and reported 22 the passeneger nearly choked!

So you can go direct from school into aviation but I do know that others at CTC are having problems due to the turndown in the economy. My son got his opening at just the right time.

GBerry one word of advice kids often follow their dads interests which is ok if its their own love to but be wary of your kids doing something to please you rather than themselves. For that reason be a support but dont encourage. That desire will come naturally if its really there regardless of what you say or do. I alsmost went the opposite way trying to dissuade him.

Pace

[airborne_artist]

The couple nearest the front asked how old the co-pilot in the right seat was. When the Cabin crew asked and reported 22 the passeneger nearly choked!

God knows what they'd have made of one of my QFIs who was carrier-deck qualified aged 20 on an F4 - with just an Observer for company, not as P2.... When they went to the US he couldn't buy a drink.

I've got a daughter of a similar age who is mad about flying, but wants do it in uniform. I'm supporting her in every way possible, but also making sure she has options, so she's working hard at her A-levels and going to university.

All kinds of things can happen, and your lad might even change his mind!

[Tiger_ Moth]

I agree about the need for the interest to be clearly his own.

For example: what 15 year old would refuse free flying lessons? Not many.

How many 15 year olds would go out to work on the weekends and holidays as soon as they are legally able to, to work depressing menial jobs, knowing that about 3 - 4 days of shelve stacking = 1 magical hour in the air?

I know who I'd award a scholarship to if it was up to me.

[Reluctant737]

Hi gberry,

As is usual for this website, there is a lot of good advice and lot of misinformed rubbish. I can only speak for myself, but let's put it this way - if it's flying your son wants to do, then an academic background won't give him any real advantage, contrary to popular belief. The CTC scheme (AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING (http://www.ctcwings.com/)), however, do require some A Levels as one of their minimum requirements, but in case you are unfamiliar with the many ways of becoming a pilot, here is one, and the way I chose -

1) Began training for my PPL aged 14
2) Left school with a few GCSEs under my belt
3) Completed PPL soon after
4) Completed the ATPL (Air Transport Pilot's Licence) theory and exams over about four months with Bristol GS (Welcome to Bristol.gs (http://www.bristol.gs/)), who are very good.
5) Built my hours in the USA, combining that with my Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot's Licence.
6) Came back to the UK and did my Instrument Rating with Oxford (highly recommended, or another well known UK school for this stage of training).
7) Put in my application to Ryanair, did my MCC (Multi Crew Cooperation) course with them and was subsequently employed by them on a direct contract.

I also highly recommend talking to people at airfields - I have made a great many contacts and good friends through this to the point that I know if Ryanair go bust tomorrow I will have another job to walk into straight away. Not only that, but aviation is a spectacular industry to be a part of because, for the most part, everyone else appreciates it and your son will make many many friends and have some great experiences during the course of his training.

To put it in perspective, I was marginally younger than your son when I began my PPL and I'm now 19 years of age, flying the big jets. If you believe it will happen then nine times out of ten it will - everybody I've ever known in aviation who wanted to get into the airlines has made it now - one of them has even made captain already!

And remember, the airlines aren't the be all and end all - there are plenty of other jobs in aviation, for example instructing (there's always work there), aerial surveying, glider towing, meatbombing (a.k.a. parachute dropping!) etc etc. I would recommend that if you have to pay for it yourself, to do it as cheaply as possible. You will find out about integrated courses and modular courses and you'll hear many points of view about which one is better. it's all a load of old bollocks - if you end up with the same bit of paper at the end, it doesn't matter.

Worked for me!

All the best and I wish you and your son many happy landings!

A

[Lew747]

Hey, Reluctant. I'm just curious as to how you funded your route? As your's seems a similar way to how i want to venture doing my ATPL.

Lewis :ok:

[Airbus Girl]

Crikey. I wish I'd had a stash of cash at 16 (or before) or a rich parent to pay for my flight training!!!!!

[rotorspin]

Hey GB

No.12 here - some great advice on this thread...

Bluebird has landed....

Speak soon

:ok:

[411A]

The British Airways Flying Club is here and the moment my son clapped eyes on it, it was as good as sealed.

Good for him.
Airline flying can be a very rewarding experience.
In my particular case, I attained a command in a B707 by age 29, after having my first flying lesson at age 15, and built up many hours in between, in large piston and turbo propellor types

The very best of luck to your son!:ok::ok: