GCSE to have a good chance of being a pilot

[ali8bongo]

Hi
I have just finished my GCSE's and I achieved:
English lit A
English lang A
French A
Maths A*
Computer studies A*
RE A*
Chemistry A*
Physics A*
Biology A*

Are these grades realistically good enough to get me an interview with an airline company?
Thanks in advance :)

[BaronVonBarnstormer]

Yes absolutely.

BUT........

Trying to go straight from GCSE's to the aviation industry would be foolish. With grades like that you should not waste your talent by cutting your education short. Go to collage and get good A-levels (which should be easy for you), then get in to a good university doing a subject that you a) Enjoy and b) will allow you to have a fall back career option should flying not work out for you immediately. Once you have that safety net in place then go and chase your dreams.

As an example I chose Engineering, which gives me the the right mix of skills to both to get me in to the right hand seat ( hopefully :ok: ) and also allows me to have a fall back career that I can now pursue while applying to all the various schemes mentioned on this bit of the forum.

The one thing you have got is time. There is no need to rush in to anything, just enjoy the ride.

Just my 2p

[elmore81]

You'd defo want to do A levels, look at the minimum requirements for the various mentored schemes and aim to equal or better them, take a year out, apply to all the schemes and if you don't get one go to uni.

[RedBullGaveMeWings]

Deinitely get your A Levels in Maths, Physics and another subject you like.

[Will Swinburn]

I back the replies of the others here but can add some evidence.

If you speak to some FTO sales people they may tell you you have the requirements already to study with them. But it's finding a job that counts.

Our industry is currently very competitive. I help graduates find jobs once they have finished flight school and those with a set of a level results are certainly having more success.

[ali8bongo]

Thanks for your replies everybody :)
What are the best a levels to take? I am thinking of Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. Would this be a good choice? As these a levels are useful in many careers.

[Morris542]

Er... Yes they are fine. I'd suggest getting A levels too.

Do the subjects you want to do. I did Physics, geography and history. I solely did physics because I thought I should, however I didn't enjoy it, struggled and had to study it more which had a negative effect on the other two subjects.

Your academic results form only one part of your CV - and a good CV will get you the interview.

[autobrake3]

I'm sure that Virgin are advertising for cadets with 5 GCSE's to fly A330's. A skilled, quality and well remunerated career awaits. Not.

[waco]

Dont forget woodwork................

[average-punter]

Congratulations on those excellent results.

It's good to see you trying to make an effort to speak to people in the industry.

I would suggest you take whatever a-levels you feel you will achieve the best grades in, which, seemingly for you seems to be maths and science so I would suggest they are solid choices.

Yes those grades are above and beyond what's required. From my experience most airline cadet programmes just want you to meet the minimum standard, above that they aren't really interested. What's far more important are your interpersonal skills e.g. can you work well in a team?

[Sheba29]

Congratulations indeed on your results.

However, I would also urge you to go on to A levels and ideally get a degree. While a degree is not mandatory to be an airline pilot in the UK, it is in many other countries and as there is an oversupply of pilots at the moment inevitably the qualification requirements will increase. Having a degree will make you more competitive but will also give you a fall-back option, should your piloting career not work out.

Also, while you clearly should pursue subjects like maths, chemistry and physics, i'd urge you to also consider economics and possibly a foreign language. Economics will give you an understanding of how industry - including aviation - works. It will also enable you to think clearly about supply, demand and risk, concepts which, it seems, some wannabes can't get their heads around!

Good luck

[ali8bongo]

Thanks everyone, for your comments, it has given me a lot to think about and I will definitely look into alternate careers as a back up plan :)

[benish]

I presume you gained those results in the summer, so what are you doing now in November? Ihope your already at a 6th form studying A-levels!!!

[Sheba29]

To add a bit of weight to my earlier comment about studying Economics, here is an article from this weeks' Economist magazine:

Low-cost airlines: Making Laker?s dream come true | The Economist (http://www.economist.com/news/business/21635001-low-cost-airlines-have-revolutionised-short-haul-flying-now-after-several-failed-attempts)

Anyone considering being a pilot should have a good understanding of the Economics of what is going on now and will happen in the future. This article is a good starting point!