Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies)A forum for those on the steep path to that coveted professional licence. Whether studying for the written exams, training for the flight tests or building experience here's where you can hang out.
Without quoting the discussion that's been on here already, uni is not essential to becoming a commerical pilot. However it can be useful as a backup if it all goes wrong (medical, money etc).
With regard to the A-levels, it depends on your grades & chosen course, but 3 would be "about right" for most.
31k sounds like too little - I would guess that there are hidden extras to add one, plus extra for unforeseen circumstances. 45k+ would be more realistic IMHO.
For more info...please use the search button! These topics have been covered before.
If you don't want to go to uni fair enough, I would highly recommend going but then it's not for everybody. One thing that I would say is fairly essential though is if you're doing A levels, make sure you stick throughout the whole course and do full A levels. AS levels, despite being technically half a full A level, are worth nowhere near as much in the eyes of most employers.
3 separate AS levels would probably be a waste of time. 3 A levels with good grades would be far better. A couple of A levels with maybe an AS level extra wouldn't be quite as good but would be definitely preferable to three AS levels.
You would be extremely luckly to be in a position to earn a sufficient amount of money when working with only 2 A-Levels to save for a flying course, due to the high levels of spending required for rent, living costs and travel, not to mention course overrun fees and retests if required.
While this might be possible after a few years' saving (at least), you are kidding yourself that such a low amount will enable you to gain a licence. What if you have then to spend money on a type-rating?
University, or even in its absence, 3 strong A-Levels, give you such a huge advantage in earning power that you would be foolish not to aim to achieve that at the very least. A-Level workload is not hard compared to ATPLs - consider whether you can cope with the workload in flying otherwise!
I note that you do not consider your suitability for the career in terms of ability - go and get tested by GAPAN at the bare minimum, otherwise you could be throwing your money down the drain.
I can see what you're talking about, but I think it could be a little bit late to start another one.. =/. Also - i've had a trial flight and I think i'd be okay ability-wise - i've got a good feel and understanding as well as a keen interest in flying.
Also, the financial side, I wouldnt intend on having a big longwinded job which would carry on for years - just something to have for a while. I've got around 20k saved up in bonds and shares.. but isnt there any career loan or something I could use?
I can see what you're talking about, but I think it could be a little bit late to start another one.. =/. Also - i've had a trial flight and I think i'd be okay ability-wise - i've got a good feel and understanding as well as a keen interest in flying.
No problem - I hope you find the advice useful. Just to add, that despite what you mention above, you must consider some intensive tests such as GAPAN, as the IR is extremely intensive, and keen interest is not enough!
It is an investment in your future to know whether you are capable of handling the flying intensively - although many people can get through the exams eventually, their suitability for an airline environment encompasses more than simply having a licence.
At least consider a full PPL before you send the money to the school for ATPLs.
I've just started 6th form doing Physics and ICT - im enjoying them both alot. One thing though - I really dont wanna go to Uni at the moment and everyone says that I need atleast 3 A(S)*?* levels to get in to, er, most.. right? well anyway, wouldn't a good plan be; after 6th form leave and get a job --> save up --> go to a flightschool or something.
My financial side is quite good for someone of my age and i'm confident that after a while i'd be okay financially to start the full thing. I was looking at stapleford flying centre and i kinda worked out their zero to fATPL course is something like £31k.. right? well, they look pretty good.. hm, what do you think?
Thanks
£31k is very much understating the true costs of a zero-fATPL course. Read the Stapleford thread for more information about that school, and check this thread for information about finance. This thread gives you some idea about costs.
As you can see, there's a great deal of money and time involved. Somehow, you have to pay this money back - and that's where getting a job comes in. Without that, you'll join the growing list of wannbes who are now bankrupt. So, you need the best qualifications you can get, and you need (if you intend to go modular or freelance integrated) to convince yourselves and others that you have the aptitude. Taking a trial flight does not cut it! Treat yourself as an investment risk; would you risk up to £75,000 on the basis of having enjoyed a sample experience? I certainly hope not! It would be like giving out the X-factor prize to someone because they liked singing, with no indication or assessment of talent (this is not a cue for an X-factor discussion!). Talk to GAPAN and do their aptitude tests. It costs around £150, and it's money very well spent. It will give you a reasonably reliable indication of whether you have the talent to become a commercial pilot. If they say you don't, think very, very carefully about spending that £20,000 you've saved - plus all the money you'll have to borrow.
Hi i was just wondeering whether to do my degrees first or start my training. does any one know when you done all the training and past and got the job you want with the airline. Would you still be able to do your degees because i want more options so i'm not stuck in one job forever. or would you just don't have the time.
Before anyone say that i'm a little premature or not enough passions for this industry.
I feel this is a back up for later in life, there is so much risk, like i might incase I lose my license due to health. Later in life when u ave a family u would not be able to go without a job. In 20 years later u go to an interview people would just laugh at u!
Don't think that just because you have a degree you are on a fast track to a job later in life. I was told many moons ago that a degree has a shelf life of 2 years tops. Knowledge gained at Uni will quickly slip away if not practiced. Many young people who want to be pilots do go to Uni and gain a degree mainly because it will give them a job that can fund their flight training. It also gives you a different perspective of the world and you also learn some useful social skills, but thats a another thread.
Do go to Uni as it is a cracking three years where you come of age, get to mess around all day with zero consequences and come out the other end with a much better idea of where you want your life to lead you. After that, if you still want to be a pilot then you still have 40 years in this profession to practice your trade.
Too many young-uns these days are in a rush. gimme gimme gimme NOW!!!
it is a cracking three years where you come of age, get to mess around all day with zero consequences and come out the other end with a much better idea of where you want your life to lead you
Firsty i was asking if you still have the time to do a DEGREES when you are in a working for an airline!!!
Plus i never thought a degree will fast track me into a job in anyway, i know there is a lots of competitions out there.
I want a degree or Master this is for an insurances in later life! and i want to get something to show for all these years in studyin!!!
""""get to mess around all day with zero consequences and come out the other end with a much better idea of where you want your life to lead you"""
u don't know me so hwo can you judge me, i know many students/ friends that's not like that, we don't get drunk every weekend. I have a part time job 25 hrs plus 4 A-levels to study!!!
I've got to agree with Gus on this one. Alright there are people who go to Uni purely just to do work and work only but they are in the minority. You learn so much more and arguably get more out of university by having a hectic social life balanced with your study as opposed to your putting your head in the deepest depths of the library all day. You defo won't have time to do a degree after your flight training unless you do it a good few years down the line which would in turn halt your pilot career progression. Much much better to go to uni now, get involved with the University Air Squadron, enjoy yourself and then start worrying about a career as a pilot.
I am in a similar situation. I am currently a freshman in college in the United States and have most of my ratings. The only real thing I am missing right now is getting my JAA ATPL, which I am slowly working on. I will have an opportuninty to get a job with a regional carrier in Europe in the near future (pending I get my ATPL of course) and am debating whether I should change a few roads around right now in order to get this job.
I have been thinking about this for a while. The only real reason I am debating on dropping out is because I don't think there will be a such a low-hour opportuninty in the future; and that means, I would have to put up with time building and instructing for several years. However, I would still like to get my degree just to have it as a back up plan. Whether a person forgets everything 2 years after or not is regardless: at a job interview if an employer see's two equal people, and one has a degree and the other doesn't, he will take the one with the degree. Now with that being said, seems like an online degree program would be the only option available if I wanted to achieve this.
Now my question is, has anyone done an online degree program? If you have, what did you think of it? Was it harder than a in-person class? Was it easier? How much did it cost you?
Firsty i was asking if you still have the time to do a DEGREES when you are in a working for an airline!!!
Short answer, no. Not unless you do an OU degree on your own time.
Quote:
I want a degree or Master this is for an insurances in later life! and i want to get something to show for all these years in studyin!!!
You have obviously missed my point here. Try to understand that a degree is like a loaf of bread. It starts off being fresh and tasty and all potential employers will line up and want to take a big bite. The longer you leave it, the more mouldy it becomes and the line gets less as potential employers don't really want to eat it. Eventually, the line is gone and it is too mouldy to be sold and thrown out. It's how you use a degree that's important, not the fact you have one.
Imagine the competency of a doctor who hasn't practiced for 20 years, or an engineer or architect or teacher or dentist or a social worker. It's currency in a particular field that will get you employed.
I can understand your concerns about what if I lose my medical or what if I get made redundant. We all have these worries, its part of life. By all means have a back up plan, but make sure it's something concrete rather than a 15 year old degree hanging on your living room wall. You will be suprised how many pilots have other interests, business ventures or rented property abroad.
You are right in that I don't know anything about you and quite frankly I couldn't give a rats arse if you are a party animal or a library swot. You asked a question and I answered it. If you don't like my answers then fine, but don't dismiss then because it might not be what you want to hear. University has much more it than just studying. For those of you that question my previous comments have either never been to Uni, or at the very least, never been to a decent Uni.
I understand what you meant sorry for being too defensive, but i still feel having a degree if later in life you can add on other qualifications like master, PHD! and that is another route!
I was told many moons ago that a degree has a shelf life of 2 years tops. Knowledge gained at Uni will quickly slip away if not practiced.
For a large percentage of people, you won't practice most of what you cover in a degree regardless of what you do afterwards so I don't know where this 2 year shelf life nonsense is coming from. I feel a degree is more an indicator of your capabilities and skills which you gain/develop and which will never slip away.
I cant add much more. Doing a degree though has to be a personal choice, i dont think there is a right or wrong answer for, "should i get a degree or not".
This could be turned around by saying "Do you want a degree or not".
I answered yes, yes i want a degree, i want a degree for me, just a desire i have and it gives me a few more years of fun and just time to live life before i get that airline job which will tie me down, its a good tie down, but getting drunk and staying out late most nights cant be done as a pilot i wouldnt say, i wouldnt say that going on weekend and weekday trips with sports clubs would be on the cards too.
If you want to go to uni, go and have a good time, come out of uni and go integrated and get that dream career after living life to the full a little for a short time.
Some people would rather just get into the career now, and i dont think, and from what i have read and understand, that a degree gives an advantage when it comes to getting a pilots job, as said, its more of step to get the cash rather than been an advantage or a fallback plan.
Oh, and its not true, not all studends go out and get drunk, but most seem to, its a work hard and play hard life, its a good balance...
As for masters and PHD, these can be done part time over loads and loads of years, you can do a fair few masters through the open uni, study in what spare time you will get as a new pilot if you want...
are there any universities which offer course in aviation by distance in UK ??
I know Embry Riddle http://www.embryriddle.edu/ , But i am looking for an europeen degree...
are there any universities which offer course in aviation by distance in UK ??
I know Embry Riddle http://www.embryriddle.edu/ , But i am looking for an europeen degree...
many thanks!
If you mean aeronautical / aerospace engineering, then I'm afraid that the answer is no.
that's an interesting perspective...
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