I was going to start a new thread but then I noticed this one so thought I may as well tag on here!
As most people who have posted (and aligning to the title!) my dream is to become a Pilot, I won't go in to the aviation obsession as I am sure it's all been said before by everyone else with the same passion but it's going to be a long road for me to get there and I would like to hear the thoughts of the people "in the know" for my plans!
I am just finishing up my A-Level exams this week. I applied to the BA scholarship this year, I did pass the assessments but it seems my statement let me down as I didn't get progressed so I know what to work on there, I have also applied for the Jet2 scheme but I have not heard from them after completing my Cognitive tests (which were something else compared to the BA tests!!!!) so I am assuming I didn't score what they were looking for - I am not too disheartened as I am only 18 and it was my first time applying for something like this and taking these tests and while it would be a goal to get on one of these schemes I am working on other options in the likely event that I don't land a spot on one (as I know how many applicants they get and how hard they are to land a fully funded route!). My main plan is pretty simple and it is to save up until I have enough money to fund a modular route myself - I have been working part time on a weekend since I was 16 and save most of of my (small!) salary every week in to a savings account, and I am (unfortunatley) due to get around 10k in inheritance which is being held on to for me, so I figure I have about 60k to save up to be able to do the modular route myself.....it will probably take longer than expected BUT I am a good saver, I was taught well and I hope once I have a proper job then I can ideally save 1k a month (possibly more depending on my salary!) as I will be living at home until I have saved up.
Currently I am enrolled to start a small Degree in September which is underpinned by Hull Uni but run at my local airport at the Aviation college there - it's a degree in Aviation Management with Pilot Studies, It's 2 year foundation degree with the option to do an additional 1 year at the end to turn it in to a full degree, I will see where I am in 2 years and make that decision then! The course is cheaper than a regular course at around 7k and it will be done via student finance but I am not taking the additional loans you can get as I will be living at home so I won't need them. The course is 1.5 days a week so the plan is to work full time, or as close to full time around that 1.5 days per week, initially I will up my hours (if I can!) at my weekend job, if I can't I will hunt for another job but the plan is to try and get a role at the airport, I don't mind what it is, but I would prefer to be in the environment while I am saving! My hope in doing the degree and (hopefully) getting some experience in the airport will be to end up with a good job in the industry at the end of the course so that I can happily save away with (hopefully) a decent enough salary while doing a job in an environment that I am passionate about. Of course I will regularly apply for any fully funded schemes that come up, if I land one, that would be awesome but if not, then I know I am still working towards my plan. The aviation college has ties with an onsite flight school where we get some free lessons, but also we get a 10% discount on the PPL so I am planning on using my inheritance and getting that started probably from april / may next year so that I can hopefully get it done over the summer months when the weather will be more favourable (I know that's some hope in the UK isn't it!!)
What do we think - decent plan, or completely wrong in how to progress
Last edited by Upintheaironeday; 2nd June 2025 at 20:29.