Right … a degree or a mechanic license don’t cut the ice, but a language does. Hmm …Ok! Take a look at the credentials of most managers in aviation companies. You think the main qualifying criteria to get a job as an operations manager is the ability to speak French or Mandarin as a second language? Ever heard of pilot/mechanic jobs for mustering pilots or on tuna boats?
He says he is in the process of completing his PPL. He wants to gain his CPL, which indicates that he is trying to make a living with it. And he is looking for any extra qualifications that would look good on his CV.
And your best advice for him is to learn another language? Well that’s really going to make a humongous difference during his first job interview, won’t it! Which btw, is most likely going to be in the UK? Do you honestly think that there is an operator out there who hire a 200 hour Commercial Pilot and send him to fight fires in Spain or move drills in South America ? Let us know once you find somebody who has ever been that “lucky”!
There is so much information and qualifications directly related to rotary wing aviation that would be much more beneficial to his career than learning a language right now.
And just to be clear, I have no objections at all against learning another language. But at this early point of his career, he should emphasize on more important things and postpone the language thing for a couple years.