Originally Posted by
Wizbod7
I agree also! But I'm not in a position to pay for an integrated course and don't see it happening in the future. But I'll keep dreaming!
This is the reason for me going back into full time education, even though I don't want to! But in order to keep the dream alive that's what I feel will give me a glimmer of hope.
Modular is another option but is that worth it considering the state of the industry? But as I've said before I'm only educated to gcse standard so unfortunately I'm restricted to certain jobs such as warehouse, retail etc.. With the money you earn off those jobs, it would take an awful amount of time to complete flight training! I really couldn't see myself struggling to live for x amount of years then end up not getting a job at the end of training.
Reasonably informed opinions from me:-
- A level Maths and Physics will stand you in excellent stead for a whole bunch of things. You don't have to do a third (/4th...) A-level, but if you do, IMHO the best additional A-level is something that (a) you'll enjoy, (b) involves some essay writing, and (c) is none of: media studies, general studies or critical thinking.
- DO NOT attempt an aerospace engineering degree (or variations) unless you genuinely believe that you might wish to become an aerospace engineer. It's years of dedicated hard work, expensive, and few people will get through it without a real passion for the subject. "Aviation Engineering with pilot studies", or variations, are there for people considering the possibility of both routes, or the sort of jobs that want both skillsets (such as military careers, or boffins like me who are primarily aerospace engineers but also use their flying knowledge within that).
- Whilst technically you don't need A-levels, the time to do those qualifications is cheap now, and the study skills gained from them will serve you well for a lifetime.
- Modular .v. Integrated has been discussed to death, but I'll offer a 1-line summary. A handful of Big Airlines massively prefer Integrated graduates. Many smaller employers - flying schools and the like, prefer people with a more mixed modular background. In both cases that's only for a first job - once you've been flying professionally for a few years, neither cares how you trained and will only care about your hours, ratings, and personal attributes. Modular, well managed, is half the cost.
- If a particular college isn't funded for A-levels for a mature student, fund it yourself or go elsewhere (e.g. evening classes whilst working). The cost will be tiny compared to most things you may do later in life anyhow.
- Nothing to stop you working, studying a couple of A-levels, and working through your PPL and/or ATPL groundschool at the same time. Well nothing except that it'll take a lot of time and hard work - but all aerospace careers take a lot of time and hard work to achieve.