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.
Great thread, and thank you to all the pilots sharing their perspectives. I would like to think I am well informed about what I'm going to get myself into thanks to people like you.
I'm not going to ignore any information or colour it in a way that benefits me, but I also still want more than anything else to be a pilot. I can't imagine doing anything else, and if I don't do this, I'll kick myself for the rest of my life. I'm not content to just exist, in some routine doing some job I couldn't give a rats ass about. I want an unconventional life. I want to tie bush planes to a dock in some obscure place in the Yukon. Something that keeps me alive.
Having said that, I respect that different people are in different positions in life, and that has a huge effect on what you can and can't do. I'm going to take advantage of my current position in life while I can and do this. If I regret it in 25 years, then it's my own doing, and I'll have enjoyed the trip.
Bottom line is, to all wannabe pilots I'd suggest to make sure you make your own individual and well informed decision.
Cheers! And good luck to all in your endeavours. And may all you seasoned pilots find what makes you happy.
I wannabee a pilot but the FMGS and autopilot computers won't let me, damn them!!!! I'm just a voting member in this cockpit.
Seriously, good luck to all. Flying helicopters is the best fun but the airlines pay you more money and give you a better, comfier seat with coffee.
The whole process cost an extraordinary amount of money, persistance, personal courage and sweat. There are many who say it's not worth it and many who would do nothing else with their lives. Only the applicant can answer that question. There are worse routines in the city and I for one would not wish to be a corporate drone on the 7:15 to Paddington. (I'd rather be the corporate drone with one of the only two seats with a forward view!)
Starting is a killer, the companies are smaller and will not want to pay their flying assests much. Those that have to pay for their type ratings, I have sympathy for you but that's a slippery slope that this industry might not get off. As you change companies and grow with experience the ride becomes easier.
Good luck if you go for it, don't forget there are people all over the world who are p****d off with their jobs, look at Robbie Williams who once said he would give up all his money to be normal ( )
Someone once told me that if there is somewhere in the world that can only be reached by a helicopter ....... then it's probably not worth seeing!
Top post Buster, even if it was 2002
As a fellow member of the King-Air society I cant stress enough how much you will learn doing this kind of flying and how much fun it can be. In the last 2 years I have flown in South America, Asia, Middle east, Africa and the USA on various contracts, and although I am looking towards my future, it certainly is not in an airliner, Biz- jet aviation all the way.
I'm actually not a wannabe (not a pilot either!) I find the industry fascinating because science, business, society and politics all meet in a very small point.
Hey is there anyone on here who knows anything about stapleford FTO lookied on their website looks pretty good, just wondering if anyone has gone through their school. cheers.
Wannabe: Want to fly for an airline
Pilot: Flying for an airline (and loving every second of it!lol).
Rgds
PP
So what about people doing corporate jets, test pilots and the like.....would that be classed as wannabe or pilot, as obviously there is no other world other then the airlines..!!
That could be a whole thread on its own but I dont know if you would take the advise .. LOL
Well paying for it can be answered in 2 ways....... money, And sweat & tears.
I worked in some really crappy areas of Australia and the world, saved money but proberably blew more than I ever saved.
Kept my eyes in the sky watching anything that flew & kept on dreaming.
Cost .... ever caught someone just staring into the sky... its freaky !
Its better to not explain and just jibber in your own language and point ..... it keeps them guessing.
I bought a house with my now ex ( more money gone ) at a point where the cost of real estate was high and then crashed after I bought it and have had to sit on the darn thing for way too long till it made a profit then got to split the profit with the erm less than savory...erm I cant say something nice so best not to say it LOL ...... more money gone.
( I knew it wasnt going to last with the ex when I took her for a flight with her brother in a C172 and after maybe less than 4 minutes after rotation ..yeah the strip was still insight she asked me to land cause she then knew she didnt like little aircraft !!!.....I swear thats when I saw the writing on the wall for her !!!
I sold my car & bikes. I miss my bikes.
I sold my sole for a job that paid ok but kept me from anywhere close to (A) an airport with a helicopter school & (B) civilisation.
Then I put everything together I could that was worth anything and sold most of that too... If I havent sold it, it will be.
I will come out of training broke with a second career and owning nothing, with a posibility of getting a lowly paid job as an instructor but I am going to be the happiest nut in the world cause I am now doing something I have wanted to do since my Dad first introduced me into the world of flight.
Hmm i have a PPL fixed in Oz and doing the last steps for the J1 visa CPL(H).
Havent flown in a few years but wanna be flying in a month.
I hope that counts.
Other than Whirls... are there any other Rotorheads in this forum?
I dont see too many Rotor related questions ( direct ) in this forum.
HF
That's because there is a separate Helicopter forum. Ii's called Rotorheads.
Darn , well the last time I got a message from I think Heliport he was saying that professional Pilot training is supposed to be the same forum for both Fixed and Rotor...cause it says Professional Pilot Training ...... Not Professional Pilot Training just for fixed wing.
They didnt want to create a separate training forum for Rotor as well.
Hey guys, does anyone know whether I can apply for the OAT integrated Atpl course without doing bloody maths at A Level or Uni!? Of course I passed at GCSE, but as they are not taking calls or even emails (which is very annoying) I was wondering if anyone is in the same predicament as me?
Although it says you need it in the 'requirements' section, I've had testing days with similar things in the past that said the same thing but still allowed me to give it a go non-the-less. - Anyone with any info? Cheers!
Having recently qualified from OAT, unless things have changed in the last few months, I dont believe A level maths is a requirement as if it was I wouldnt have gone through. The only time it may be a requirement is for the airline sponsorship as its just another way of separating some of the thousands of applicants who willl apply. Not really fair I know.
I am a 'wannabe' with only 14 hours under my belt with the ATC (Chipmunk/Bulldog/Gliders). I then did my 3 A'levels to get me into uni and studied Multimedia Tech & IT studies.
Had my job as a web designer (including; hardware & software advisor / PC Maintenance and any other odd jobs) for over 3 months and looked into doing the PPL last month but with the outcome being a £45/£50k bill for training I am not decided what would be the best way to spend my money.
Property is still on the rise but I have a girlfriend that would struggle to pay the installmets, I doubt I'd have the free funds to pay for my PPL after I get the house. I have just purchased another GSXR for half of it's value so I have the potential of making an easy £2k. should I keep buying and selling cars (I seem to have the nack of making £1k+ off every vehicle I have owned).
But £50k is a lot of cars . I guess I am just unlucky for not being born into a rich family. I paid for Uni fees and other costs and still have a £14k debt around my neck and a 2.2 degree
looked into doing the PPL last month but with the outcome being a £45/£50k bill for training I am not decided what would be the best way to spend my money.
Darn , well the last time I got a message from I think Heliport he was saying that professional Pilot training is supposed to be the same forum for both Fixed and Rotor...cause it says Professional Pilot Training ...... Not Professional Pilot Training just for fixed wing.
They didnt want to create a separate training forum for Rotor as well.
Thanks.
HF
Strictly speaking, Heliport is correct. However, there is little or no presence in Wannabes of currently-employed professional rotary pilots to answer questions, as they all hang out in Rotorheads. Therefore, when a helo question comes up I move it there as that's where the answers will be found.
Correct. That is the full hog training to becoming 'not a wannabe' but a profesional pilot. I am looking to do the APP at EFT for 18 months - so with that cost and the possibility of a TR I am sure £50k will be an aproximate cost. Always had my heart set on being an airline pilot but the more I read into it becoming a bizjet pilot could be just as rewarding .
And good luck to all in your endeavours. And may all you seasoned pilots find what makes you happy.
I'm just a voting member in this cockpit. 
( more money gone ) at a point where the cost of real estate was high and then crashed after I bought it and have had to sit on the darn thing for way too long till it made a profit then got to split the profit with the erm less than savory...erm I cant say something nice so best not to say it LOL ...... more money gone.
I miss my bikes. 
. I guess I am just unlucky for not being born into a rich family. I paid for Uni fees and other costs and still have a £14k debt around my neck and a 2.2 degree 
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