Are my grades good enough?

[tom775257]

Hi,
I am interested after finishing my degree (BSc Bio sciences) to carry on learning to fly (currently a glider pilot), aiming for a career as a pilot. Although my A-levels were fine, I am not too sure about my GCSE's. Any opinion as to whether these are good enough for an airline to consider hiring me (assuming I can get an ATPL) would be much appreciated. I am not looking for sponsorship. My dilemma is that if I want to continue in science a PhD is realistically required, therefore I will have to make my mind up within about 1 year's time (although all I really want to do is fly). Currently on course for a 1st.
A-level:
Chemistry: A
Biology: A
I.T.: A

GCSE:
Chemistry: A
Biology: A
Physics: A
Maths: A
French: A
Geography: A
English: B
German: B
English Lit: C
DT: C
It's really the B in english, and the C in english lit that worry me.
My other big issue really to resolve is the fact I am an american living in the U.K with the ability to work in both countries. Which country to train in is the question? I like each country equally, and have no real ties in the UK.
Many thanks for any response.
tom.

[Speedbird 2946]

I can tell you the requirements for the BA Cadet Pilot Scheme if you like:

British Airways, 5 GCSEs at C or above (maths, english etc..you are fine)
Plus two a levels at C or above, or honours degree at Desmond (2:2) or above.

You've done very well in all your exams so do not doubt yourself. By no means MUST you be a brainiac to be a pilot. Determined and keen yes... so GOOD LUCK!!!!

Speedbird 2946

[Norfolk and airspeed]

Something else : If someone ever tells you that you are too old/can't fly with glasses/are overqualified/are underqualified/wrong sex/wrong skin colour/whatever, and you really want to fly for a living, then....

...Take it as a personal challange. You still *might* not make it into the lhs of a big jet 'cause nothing is guaranteed in this life (except death and taxes), but you are bloody well going to do your damndest!

[BigTimeWannabe]

Are you kiding me mate, you have great academic results. I think you should apply for airline sponsorship aswell! I've heard about people who fly for major International carriers that don't even have A-levels, let alone a degree!

But the only thing is, how is your hand eye coordination and stuff like that? You look good on paper but how do you score on aptitude tests?

BTW

[ba195]

Hi, everybody.

do you think this resume is good enough for a British Airways Spnsorship?:

-Member of Air Training Corps for 3 years.
-Winner of "Royal Institute of Navigation" 1998 Navigation Compeition.
-Member of a band, 1997-2001 (playing drums)
-Webmaster of WhassupNet, Internet Service Provider.
-Owned small computer buisness at 15 yrs of age.

A-Level info
-A2 + AS Level Physics
-A2 + AS Level Computing
-A2 + AS Level Mathematics
(all the above are predicted, as I am starting college this year, at "John Leggott" Sixth Form)

GCSE info:
English Lit - B
English Land - B
Maths - A
Chemistry - A
Physics - A
Biology - A
Information Technology - A*
Systems & Control - B
French - C
Geography - C

I don't wear glasses, as we speak!

Any Suggestions please pilots?

thanks
Ben Alexander-Brown
http://www.whassupnet.co.uk
http://www.whassupnet.co.uk/767

[tom775257]

Hi there.
Thanks for the positive responses. I just assumed sponsorship was for the super-human.
My hand-eye co-ordination is fine, don't know if it is of any test of hand-eye co-ord, however am grade 8 + pianist which requires some hand-eye skill. I can fly a glider aswell, requiring hand-eye-feet (a lot of feet!!) co-ord. I think my plan is as follows:
*Go for PPL before finishing Uni.
*Pay for the RAF aptitude test (I'm a yank)
And then go for broke after uni. Going for sponsorship I thought was a 1 in a thousand kind of thing, so I figure get into a nice load of debt learning to fly aiming for ATPL.
*Try my luck among the airlines, I figure you only live once, it is what I really want to do. If worst comes to it I can spend the rest of my life preparing agar plates and bacterial samples for bio students...
Any further suggestions on things to learn/ do before finishing uni, and move into full time training would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
tom.

[tom775257]

Hi ba195,
It is quite amusing the simularities you find between the interests of various pilots/wanabees: I went the web-design, then over-clocked computer selling route (the only way I could compete with the major companies: By tuning the PC's!) In the end me and my friend quit the business and went to work for a UK major PC manufacturer in the year out, first as a techy, then in R+D for game + DV edit machines, then senior techy (p*ssed of the 40 year old techies no end!), and acting emergency on-site support for servers and important custies.
I guess it is the whole technology thing that interests people who find aviation interesting. It seems a lot of pilots like their PC's!!
Tom.


[This message has been edited by tom775257 (edited 11 March 2001).]

[Pandora]

Tom and ba195,

are you just trying to make us poor old ignorant real BA pilots feel like academic underacheivers? http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif

Tom - why have you already got a 6figure BA staff no? ;)

Ba195 - Eng land - is that the one that you have to be able to spell for? ;)

On a more serious note, read the Wannabes section.

[tailscrape]

Norfolk,....

almost correct. LHS of a big jet: well, death comes to us all eventually. But most LHS ers probably don't pay tax. Too busy living in Monaco!!I wish!!