Best Way To become An airline pilot

[Kenixster]

I hope this is in the right place! sorry if its not!
Please help Im looking to become an airline pilot and have the money to do it as one long course, what is the best way to go about starting my training and wityh which FTO's do people recommend?

I have just completed the first year of an aerospace engineering degree, unfortunately i have decded not to carry on with it as its not for me! I have virtually no flying experience, I am 22 and live in the UK but wouldnt be adverse to moving around the globe!
Thanks!

[airborne_artist]

Choose your parents wisely. A Dad who owns an airline would be ideal. Even better if your Mum owns a few oil fields.

[TheBeak]

Im looking to become an airline pilot and have the money to do it as one long course

Who's a lucky boy or girl then?!

Go to Oxford to buy the licence, go to Ryanair to buy your career -sorted.


If you are going to buy 'one long course', and you really think that's a good idea I'd go to FTE personally.

[polohippo]

I second the FTE idea. The training is excellent, Jerez is a great place to fly and the weather is normally excellent.

Please note: I DO NOT WORK OR HAVE EVER WORKED FOR FTE

[PAPI-74]

Yep hate to say it - and I am a proud modular chap - but OAT is probably the way to go. Just don't become on of those TO##ERS that are up their own ar#e frequenting those schools.

[Abagnale]

Another great personality in aviation world :D
Go integrated,buy your license(no matter if it takes 1000 hrs and you have to resit the exams couple of times,you've got the cash ;)),then buy a TR in ryanair and you might even end up working for them for half a year for free (hey,but no worries once again,you've got the cash ;))...This is a way to go in this profession,great attitude,I bet you were the worst on the aer.eng. course and you've just been kicked out...Don't worry,Ryanair won't care about it,they don't care about anything,except money :E

[Donalk]

Kenixster - It sounds like you might have some time on your hands so a good start would be to do some extensive searching here on topics such as integrated vs modular, flight school comparisons, UK vs US training, MPL vs ATPL etc etc.

Treat it as a project, take some time and note your findings, then when you have several specific questions, you can post them here. In general you will get some good answers and the benefit of some hard won experience.

"I bet you were the worst on the aer.eng course and got kicked out"

Unfortunately you may get some uneducated, bitter and twisted people who without ever having met you, can make an assessment of your academic prowess and your motivation. Just ignore this type of comment. I feel sure you are mature enough to recognise the tortured mind behind such vitriol.

If you decide to pursue a career in aviation I wish you well. It is a tough place at present but not unlike a lot of other career choices.

Best of luck

[betpump5]

Unfortunately you may get some uneducated, bitter and twisted people who without ever having met you

Or you may just get the one.

Abagnale has a tendency to talk out of his back passage


If you can afford it, go integrated. if you can't go Mod.

[Abagnale]

Or you may just get the one.

Abagnale has a tendency to talk out of his back passage


Sorry,mate,I didn't mean to hurt your feelings,that was your career path,right? ;)

[Superpilot]

No best way.

Just a right way and a wrong way

For yourself, given your abilities, character and patience.

[Wireless]

Hi Nathaniel. Just a couple of things regarding to your post. Noticed you're 18, are yet to train but have a deal. That's great and see you're thinking sensibly about when to train. But must say, putting things like....

[QUOTE]In terms of ryanair, stay well clear[/QUOTE

...may or may not be correct, but it really is a bit of a sweeping statement. Look, all of us flying in the industry have differing opinions of this and that airline etc etc. My own opinions of Ryanair are my own but I think if you haven't even started training yet I'd be a little more reserved on such strong career advice. Myself, got a PPL 13 years ago, became hooked, then spent 10 years saving, scheming and scamming. Got a break, flew for air taxi, Coastguard and then moved onto an airline but really it was just fortune, bad fortune, good fortune and down right bloody timing of the unpredictable. And we're never out of the woods. My airline could go bust and I could be back driving a wagon :}

[Wireless]

Ah don't worry. You've not offended. I don't fly for Ryanair.

[smith]

The best ways to become an airline pilot are integrated or modular courses, I can't think of any other way in fact (well maybe conversion from military or foreign licences).

Try using the search button, he is your friend.

[Kenixster]

Hi guys thans for the great feed back so far!
To clear up a couple of points i havent completed the degree but do not wish to carry on with it! i've passed so far but barely! I joined a university air squadron and spent too much time flying rather than studying! I have always wanted to be a pilot but could never afford it, so I was going to work and fund it that way post degree! A few months ago my parents were left a chunk of money and have told me that I can loan the money off them to complete my pilot training if i wish to!
I have a few queries on the selection, mainly the hand eye coordination tests, What are these like and has anyone got any tips on improving my coordination!?

[Aerospace101]

I think you have given up too easily, by giving in to UAS flying and not concentrating on your studies.

Remember a respected airline recruiter, such as BA, will look at your CV and wonder why you only did 1 year? Was it because you couldnt prioritise your studies from UAS, give up too easily, cant commit? - my point is this could look negative.

Even if you have the money, NOW is NOT the time to start flight training as job opportunities are very few. There is a massive pool of flight school graduates looking for jobs. You need to be waiting atleast 2-3yr from now before even considering commencing flight training.

I would recommend finding another degree at uni to study, or continue aero eng, or repeat your first year - and continue with UAS but prioritise your studies better.