Hi Andy,
im 17 and also hoping to make it to an ATPL pilot in the future. Im doing my A levels at the moment, and also training for my PPL. When I turn 18 I plan to apply for sponsership with a PPL under my belt. Failing that I will move onto the CPL and try and build up my hours. After that I will need to visit the bank and
try and go for the ATPL.
My other route is entering the RAF as a fighter pilot, then after a few years perhaps move onto civil aviation.
If you are interested in flying, have you tried the Air Training Corps? (as Flik Roll suggests) I am a cadet in them and have flown many times with them. Also shows that you are keen in flying later on in life with interviews etc.
However, doing A levels, learning to drive and fly at the same time seems quite a heavy workload, so you
must make sure your academic work takes priority. My flying instructor has 1000 hours on the PA28 however the airlines still wont look at him.
I've just tried to think of a few routes of what I can do, and what else I can try if that fails etc.
I am a bit undecided about uni, whether to go there and further my education or use the money for CPL etc.
Takes a bit of thinking, but I wish you good luck
Will
PPL Student.