Physics A-Level

[G-BPEC]

I am aware that this topic appears periodically, but I have a few questions.

Until recently, I have found Physics GCSE fairly simple, I understand the concepts and don't have too much of a problem with tests etc. However, I find it tedius and boring, to the extent where I have trouble grasping what is going on

I was going to take it for AS/A Level. Now I have to make a definate decision within the next few weeks, and I'm not sure which way to go.. My aim is to become a commercial pilot, and I know the basic (BA) criteria states Physics is not required at A Level. Is someone who has them more likely to be accepted? I have a small blood clotting problem (I have been told I can probably get a class one with it, however) and so I am thinking I will need as much in my favour as I can possibly get.. will having Physics and Maths help me in this respect?

If I had a choice, I would rather do another subject rather than Physics, but I don't want to jeapordise my chances of being a pilot by making the wrong choices now.

All opinions gratefully recieved,. .G-BPEC

[Matthewjharvey]

I agree that Physics (and indeed any subject) can be boring at GCSE level because to most above average intelligence students these exams are ridiculously easy. I think at A level you may be a little more challenged but if you really don't like it then I would not do it at A level.

[simbinned]

the various airlines schemes differ in their exact requirements.IMHO physics is seen as an advantage in that the candidate is more likely to cope better with the demands of the atpl syllabus.same with maths as it demonstrates reasonable numeracy.Remember when it comes to sponsorship the airlines are trying to minimise the risks of failure( and costs!).However, a good set of exam results in whatever subjects will probably impress as much as some mediocre "science" grades. Just as some exceptionally bright and gifted people have fallen by the wayside, so have the "arty" wannabees succeeded..what seems to matter above all is your own personal determination to fulfil your ambition to fly.what do others think?. .BTW, the very best of luck to you. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Lucifer]

Many subjects other than physics will impress just as much in selection. I do not think there are many interviewers who would choose one over the other simply because of a Physics A-Level over say economics or histroy. Diversity in qualifications adds to a candidates 'roundedness' and there is no ideal profile being searched for that involves physics.

If you have a doubt, don't bother with it - you will not only knock your own confindence when you fail to achieve what you could have in another subject, but you'll kick yourself for it.

[scroggs]

Never take any exam, A level or degree, just because you think it might help your chances. Obviously, if you want to be a star lawyer, you're going to have to take law-specific and relevant qualifications. For aviation, the ATPL is the relevant qualification, and your A levels and degree are just supporting evidence that you can work unsupervised, and have an acceptable level of intelligence and determination. A good result in those A levels or degree is far more useful than a poor result in an 'appropriate' subject, and you are more likely to get a good result in a subject that interests you.. .The level of maths or physics in the ATPL struggles to equal GCSE; there is no need for any greater depth. You'll be taught anything you're not up to scratch with as part of the syllabus.. .You're a far more acceptable candidate with straight A's in French, Art and History than is a candidate with a C in Maths and a D in Physics. I know, I was the poor sucker who did just that (many years ago)!

[G-BPEC]

Thanks for the replies. I think perhaps French would be a better bet, I don't want to spend 2 years doing something I don't enjoy, and for no advantage at the end of it.

G-BPEC

[spitfire747]

I have to agree with Scroggs on this one, go and study the exams that interest you. If not you will spend 2 years studying something that does not interest you and the fact that you are studying it for a specific purpose will probably make it seem harder and more of a chore.

A Levels do not directly demonstrate intelligence in a particular subject, they simply show that the candidate has the confidence and motivation to apply him/herself and the ability to retain information in order to answer the questions correctly, be it Physics or Music, Maths or French.. .2 Years is along time if you do not enjoy something.

[BigGreenPleasureMachine]

G-BPEC,

probably best to look at this in a couple of different ways.

First off, i did A level physics not so long ago, and it can be a hard old slog if you aren't really into it. As with any A level, have a look at who'll be teaching it as this can make a big difference as to how you'll get along.

Second, if you're thinking of going to uni before flying, choose very carefully because a bad choice now will preclude you from many courses, i.e. no physics means no aerospace/engineering/science. . .There's been much debate on this forum on the merits of getting a degree first. My take, for what its worth, is that it is better, especially if, like you and I, there might be class 1 concerns lurking about. Having said that, my good pal Tunneler took the plunge sans degree and isn't having too many regrets.

Mentioning a modern language is probably a good idea, and will stand you in good stead whatever you do,and I would always advise A level maths whatever else you choose.

On a final note, you might be able (depending on your school/college) to choose 4 A levels and if the workload or material in Physics really isn't for you, it can be dropped before you get in too deep. I know its not an ideal solution, but it has worked for people I know in the past.

What people say here will just give you things to think about, in the end discuss it with teachers, careers tutors, folks and friends. And make sure its your decision.

Best of luck in whatever you choose,

Regards,. .BGPM.

ps for the record I did Maths, Physics and English Literature, got ABB and a lasting hatred for Jane Austen.

[Pandora]

G-BPEC,

All the advice above is good, but one thing about your initial post stood out to me. You think you can probably get a class one with your medical problem. I learnt the hard way that there is no point aiming for something for years only for the final piece in the jigsaw not to fit. So go and have a class one now. It will be well worth the money just for the peace of mind a pass will give you. As for the Alevels, any old alevels will do so long as the grades are good. I even managed to sneak my Gen Studies past the entry crteria. Do what you enjoy and think you will do best in.

Good luck.

[scroggs]

In mny eagerness to answer the choice of A level question, I forgot to address the medical side. I hope I can now redress that.. .You cannot 'bargain' medical problems for academic qualifications; you either have a Class 1 or you don't. You will not be employed without one. As others have said above, if there is the slightest doubt about your physical health then do a Class 1 before you start any commercial flying training. If you fail, there is no point in planning to spend that £50k on ATPL training. If you pass, get on with it and stop worrying about which A levels to take!. .Best of luck.

[Deep Float]

Hmm, if I had a blood clotting problem, I wouldn't even start thinking about a flying career, whether you can get a Class One or not.

If you think Physics at A-levels are difficult, think about learning to walk and talk again after a stroke.........if you're lucky.

It's not worth it mate. Sorry.

[G-BPEC]

Deep Float,

the problem is haemophilia- the blood takes longer to clot, it doesn't clot too readily, that is the problem.

Thanks for all the advice

[P.Pilcher]

I agree with all other posts on this thread. The idea is that if you enjoy Physics at "A" level you will therefore understand it. If you understand the principles that it teaches then many topics in the aviation courses that follow will be that much easier to understand and you will stand a better chance of passing them. With regard to your medical, then a class 1 is essential, so see the CAA soonest. What is more important that getting a class 1 now is for how long you can reasonably expect to keep it. Remember those b****s can take it away in an instant without warning and you are left with no job, no income and no prospects. In your case the backstop of an additional qualification to help on the employment stakes should the unthinkable happen is thus even more worthy of serious consideration.

best of luck

[Dusty_B]

If you think you can handle it, do Maths. Don't bother with statistics or discrete, just Mechanics and Pure.. .Everyone in my Mechanics class really enjoyed the course, and we found it quite fun (Thank-You Mr. Wheatley!!!). Best of all, it _really_ helped in physics, because our physics teacher was c**p.

[howmuch]

thought i'd give you my penese worth . I always wanted to be a pro pilot and i asked myself that very same question. I did GCSE physics and got an 'A' . let me tell you now GCSE is a piece of p-i-s-s compared to a-level it bares no comparison , you could do it with your eyes closed. the concepts in A level are very taxing to the point out lecturer had problems with it ! the only people who do well at physics are those who have a NATURAL apptitude for it same with maths IMO. I don't think you can train yourself to be good at it. Go for an easier a- level and you'll have more chance of getting a good grade and ultimately more attractive to the airlines etc. out of the 25 student in our class only 4 sat the exam 3 passed i was one of them i got a 'D' and worked my b-olicks off for it -re sat 1st year etc . the other lads eienstien and son both got 'A' ! when i went for the BA apps tests there was all sorts of people ex trolly dollies , all with different qualifications. well i failed the tests , the maths one ! - it was like your worst nightmare x 10 ! i have now decied to earn lots of money and buy a private jet one day.

I recenlty started a alternitive investment company bit like a stock broker but more advanced and earn more money ! .

hope its helped. . .sorry for crap spelling grammer , i'm a busy man.. .neil.

[Evo7]

One odd thing about A-level Physics (at least, when I did it 10 years ago) is that you spend a huge amount of time learning a arbitrary set of extremely dull equations on things like electrostatics, magnetism, gas laws etc. These equations just appear out of thin air, but if you carry on and do Physics at University then you find that these are just Maxwell's equations, the Laws of Thermodynamics etc. and the whole picture becomes clear.

Why do they bother? If you aren't going to do a degree then who cares - and if you are it was all a complete waste of time as it taught you nothing. A-level Physics is a deeply flawed subject IMHO - if you have the ability do Maths (which is hard, but more use), and if you don't then do something that will hold your interest.

I got a 'C', mainly due to boredom, but still managed a 1st, MSc and PhD in it after that, so I am deeply skeptical of the value of the A-level. I'd highly recommend a Physics degree though, and sadly an A-level is a requirement for that...

(Edit: Having got down from my soapbox and read your first post again, I'd say that as you were considering Maths do that, and forget Physics).

[ 01 March 2002: Message edited by: Evo7 ]</p>

[G SXTY]

So then, trying to dust off my memories of A level Physics, and work out what relevance it has to flying (apart from the joys of connecting electrolytic capacitors the wrong way round, or unplugging the earth strap from whoever was playing with the Van der Graf generator . . .). <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Off the top of my head, the following would have been completely new to me, were it not for A-level Physics: Vector diagrams, energy transfer, the relationship of pressure / density / temperature, k.e. being proportional to velocity squared, conversion of metric to imperial units, wave propagation, radar, circuit diagrams, series / parallel wiring, electrical resistance, induction, rearranging formulae, etc etc. And that’s at PPL level, never mind ATPL.

I wouldn’t say that understanding any of the above is impossible without A level Physics, but having it does mean you don’t have to waste time grasping concepts that you’ve already learnt. And don’t forget all those capacitors you’ll get to blow up. :) :)

[Evo7]

G-SXTY

If at least half of that lot isn't in GCSE then someone needs shooting. What the bl**dy hell do they learn??? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[G SXTY]

Did I say I did anything in GCSE classes? <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Sure, you get an introduction to a lot of them at GCSE level, but A level certainly gave me a much more detailed understanding – remember you’re only studying 3 subjects instead of 8 or 9.

[Evo7]

I guess they were harder in my day! <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> :)

[scroggs]

None of those physics thingies is beyond the intelligence of an Arts A-level student and the teaching of a decent FTO, as a straw poll of my fellow pilots at Virgin has established.. .Never be bullied or 'shamed' into doing a qualification you don't want to do.

[Gin Slinger]

Agree strongly with M. Scroggs's sentiment re: not being bullied by parents/teachers/hearsay on PPRuNe into taking the wrong A-level subjects.

Many moons ago, I was manuvured into taking A-level Physics & Maths. Hated both of them and dropped out after 2 terms.

That experience later made me question whether my brain was wired the right way to cope with ATPL studies.

My A-levels in Business Studies, Economics & English Lit certainly haven't held me back, and am coping just fine with ATPL Groundschool, even doing distance learning with no one looking over my shoulder to help.

Would suggest actually that buying Mega Memory from Shop America [sic] would be as good as anything, because regurgitating facts is the crutial ability here.

[G-BPEC]

Thanks again. Did anyone do History A-Level? I heard the workload is high but it'sa subject I enjoy. Any comments?

[scroggs]

Whoa there, G-BPEC. This thread is about what subjects may or may not be appropriate for a Wannabe commercial pilot. If you want to find out what is involved in the History A-level syllabus, there are much more suitable places to do it, starting with your own school. Keep to the point.