New Boy

[I'dliketobeapilotplease]

I am new to this site so please forgive my basic questions. At the moment I am working in the city and would very much like to change to a more worthwhile job such as being a pilot. . .Please could someone answer a few questions for me?

I am 27 years old with no flying experience-is this a problem?. .What exams and training are needed to become a commercial pilot?. .How much are these exams/how long do they take?. .Are there any companies which will pay for your trainning while employing you (apprenticeship)?

Thanks in advance for answering my basic questions

[Autofly]

Before we start, i've got a quick question - do you really, REALLY, REALLY want to be a pilot becuase if the answer is "ummmmm, well it would be nice" you couldn't want to be a pilot at a worse time.

Here's a few answers for you're if your serious:

- Start your PPL and get some flying hours in.. .- Go and do your Class 1 medical at Gatwick

Stick around this forum and the rest of your questions will be answered.

Good luck

AF

[ 21 February 2002: Message edited by: Autofly ]</p>

[Zulu]

There you go - you knock off the CAPS-LOCK key, ask nice and politely, and you get some useful advice...

I'd add:

1) Have you ever flown before, other than as a passenger? Given that you're going to be spending upwards of £50k, and over a year of your life, it would be worth taking a trial lesson from your local aerodrome. It should cost under £100, you'll get about 45 minutes flying time, and get an idea of what it's all about - whether you really like it or not, or if it just seemed like a good idea at the time.. .2) As Autofly says, get your class I medical, although I'd suggest straight away. Costs a couple of hundred pounds, but you want to know now whether there are any medical issues, before you start training. You need a class I to be a Commercial Pilot. You may find at this stage you have a problem (e.g. colour blindless, or some more obscure things) that restricts you, in which case you have saved a lot of time and money.

[Lucifer]

You are looking to gain a licence which will take between 14 and 18 months, with possible additional courses, costing as has been said a great deal of money. You've found the right place for advice, and you should go and find out if you really want to fly before commiting to such a course, which is in difficulty and depth probably comparable to accountancy exams, though of course a flair for being able to cope with the pressures if the flying itself and airborne exams is also required.

There are no sponsorships from airlines at the moment (they are not on-the-job like apprenticeships: you will go to a flying school and be there for the whole time) and you are not employed by the airline for that time - you are simply committed to return 5 years or so of your time to that which paid for the training, while deducting money from your salary. There are very few full sponsorships of this kind and in a downturn such as now, you may not even be offered a job at the end of it and be left high and dry. You are just about too old for the British Airways course, but you will still qualify for others.

Other airlines will 'bond' you for a type-rating on a specific aircraft type: this would normally be for a slightly lessor period, but bear in mind you will have paid for your own course up until that point (ie the initial licence course of 14-18 months) and be in competition with many other fully-qualified pilots to get this, many of which may have more experience or be qlready qualified to fly this type of aircraft.

Getting a first job is probably the highest hurdle, and you may have to find other work while waiting for success, even at the best of times.

Regarding the medical: a class 1 is required for the full licence required for airlines; a class 2 is required for the 'private pilot's licence' or PPL: so you must check to see if you can get the higher one before spending any other money. It has to be obtained from the authority's HQ at Gatwick, for £400 (corrected).

Best of luck

[ 21 February 2002: Message edited by: Lucifer ]</p>

[FlyingForFun]

The price for an initial Class 1 medical is actually £400 - sorry, but nothing's cheap when it comes to flying!

I've said it before on this forum: get yourself a copy of Clive Hughes' book "The Guide to Getting a Commercial Pilot License." It covers everything you could possibly want to know on the subject, all the different ways of going about getting a license and the costs involved. You may have to read it several times before it makes sense, because it's a complex subject! But all the information is in there.

FFF. .----------

[HugMonster]

I'd add a little more emphasis to the question about how badly you want to be a pilot, as well.

If you're simply attracted to the glamour of the job, the idea that pilots get paid huge salaries and have women dripping off them, then a career in aviation is not for you.

The training, the early years of the career can be (and usually are) fairly hard. The training and the studying require a lot of dedication.

A junior First Officer in, say, a small regional airline or a freight operation, is not paid a lot at all.

Flying is my second career as well. I often wonder, knowing then what I know now, I would have done it. Generally the answer is yes, as I wanted to fly from a very early age indeed. I love flying - I live for flying.

I had a command on a regional twin turboprop when I was made redundant in the wake of 11th. September along with all my colleagues. It's happened before - there are no longer any "Jobs for Life". Now on the dole, trying to get back in. Not easy in the present climate, but I'll get there eventually.

If given the above, you decide "Yes, I want to fly more than anything else", then the best of luck to you. Go for it with both hands.

Remember always that, in aviation you have never ever written your last exam or your last cheque. Be prepared always to learn. The day I stop learning in aviation will be the day I retire. The day you think you've finally mastered it is the day you become a very dangerous person to fly with.

If you live, think and breathe flying, do it. For those with the dedication, it's wonderful way to earn a living.

[monkeyboy]

I'd just like to add on what Autofly contributed.. .Idliketobeapilot, start by getting your PPL. As part of your PPL, you'll need to study for the PPL exams and if after getting the exams and your licence you decide that you really want to learn more then perhaps going commercial is for you. HugMonster's wise words some it up. You never stop learning in this industry.

From a personal point of view I was in your situation 2 years ago. 26, dull job in IT, had always wanted to be a pilot but due to medical reasons couldn't. Had a go at the Class One, passed and I haven't looked back. Got my PPL last summer and am now studying for the ATPL writtens.

You'll find a lot of people in the same boat on this forum so don't be afraid to ask if you're unsure. Oh, but try to use the Search facility first before asking a question. The Search facility should answer the majority of your questions.

Good luck if you decide to go for it!

MB <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[G SXTY]

Plenty of good advice there, and couldn’t really add much, except to reiterate what Huggy has already said – to succeed, you’ve got really really really want to be a commercial pilot. 99% commitment is not enough – it must be total.

Incidentally, if you’re within striking distance of Stapleford, give me a shout – I’d be happy to show you around.

[scroggs]

Huggy. .Wot? You mean you aren't paid a fortune? And no dripping girlies? You should come on route with me, mate..... :)