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My Options? Advice Appreciated......

Old 11th Aug 2002, 12:44
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Smile My Options? Advice Appreciated......

Hello All...

Im 16 now, landed myself a good job as web developer so therefore can finance the remainder of my PPL (Have 14 hours)

However, after this....what are my options to make it to the airlines....?

Which route should i take? im on a 12month contract as lead web developer for the UK's 2nd largest marketing agency JDA so im in a pretty good position i would say?

Would a computing background be valued by airlines?

Another words, if i went to an airline looking for sponsorship with a full valid PPL, 12 Months experience as lead web developer for a very large company, and good qualifications, what would be my chances?

Any Help Appreciated

Many Thanks

Simon
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Old 11th Aug 2002, 13:32
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Simon, congratulations on obtaining what sounds like an interesting and potentially rewarding job at such a young age. Let me ask you a question: do you think you'd have had more chance of getting that web-development job if you'd been a qualified airline pilot? No? Then don't expect airlines to give a great deal of credit for your HTML skills!

Airlines recruit pilots. Pilots need three things: a licence, relevant experience (i.e. flying hours), and a personality that others can get on with. The amount of experience varies depending on the position being offered; the licence comes with sufficient investment of time and money; and the personality is down to you alone!

Now, you ask about sponsorships. Unfortunately, they are few and far between at the moment, and I don't expect that to change significantly in the next 18 months to two years - maybe longer. Do a search here to see what's currently on offer - but don't hold your breath! By the way, you'll see many references to a 'sponsorship' by a company called Malgus. In my opinion, what they offer is no more than a lottery, but please judge for yourself. Don't post a thread asking about them; there are plenty already!

So, what're your options? Carry on with your job, do your PPL, learn as much as you can about integrated and modular training towards an ATPL, and hope that things pick up faster than I think they will! You've got plenty of time, enjoy your new-found prosperity.

Last edited by scroggs; 11th Aug 2002 at 16:43.
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Old 11th Aug 2002, 16:25
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I would like to pass you the information I was given when I decided age 14 that I wanted to fly for a living. It went something along the lines of do well at school finish your GCSE's and A levels. This will give you a good foundation in life if further down the line you decide, or it is decided for you, that the airline career is not right for you.

All of the Sponsorship schemes I looked at requested the minimums of 5 GCSE's grade C or above including English and Maths, 2 A levels and a minimum age of 18.

I completed my A level course in the knowledge that I wanted to commence a full time ATPL course and not attend University. I still completed the UCAS application procedure and had a place on hold on my chosen course whilst I was completing my ATPL. My best advice is before you set your heart on the Airlines and close the doors on your other career options get a Class 1 medical. This at least proves you have the medical requirements to fly commercially before you commit yourself financially to a course.

I hope this information is helpful to you. This is simply advice from my own experiences. I am now 21 with a frozen ATPL so it wasn't too long ago that I was asking similar questions to seek the knowledge and expertise of my peers. Just remember, a lot of people will have a lot of advice for you, but at the end of the day it is your life and you must make the decisions that you feel are right for you.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a succesful career in whatever field you choose.

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Old 11th Aug 2002, 16:53
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Sounds better than the careers advice I was given at school:

"What about being a landscape gardener?" said the careers 'officer'.

In short they knew very little about flying as a career. I understand WWW was trying to get in touch with the careers people to recommend PPRuNe as a tool for those kids interested to get more info. Any news on this WWW?

BM.
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