Aspiring pilot needing advice
Hi guys, i'm new to this forum but require advice from commercial pilot's.
I'm 19 and have been granted a place at Pan Am Intl' Flight Academy in Florida after passing the initial aptitude tests. I have also got my class 1 medical and i've been approved my M1 visa to study.
I have good A-level qualifications from a grammar school here in the UK. I've wanted to be a pilot for some time now and unfortunately have just stumbled across this site. I've read many posts from current and retiring pilots suggesting that the Aviation career is not what it used to be. Obviously, i dream of finishing my ATPL pro-pilot course and becoming a first officer ASAP. I understand that this is very difficult in the current climate.
However, i've read that the demand for pilots is set to soar over the next 2 decades or so. I just want to ask the question: Do you still believe that it is faesible for me to think that i can secure a first officer position after i complete my course (hopefully). I am being sponsored by my parents and the estimated cost will be ~£60k. I wouldn't want to finish my studies and then wait years on end to secure a first officer position. After all, training isn't cheap.
I'm after some impartial advice, i've been told by the reps at Pan Am that the demand for young pilots will be there in a few years time, but i know that they are there to convince you to do your training with them. I've read on this forum that young pilots find it extremely difficult to find jobs due to the flying time that companies are seeking. I don't necessarily want to finish my training and find out that i need to spend x amount on time building etc.
Thanks in advance, i hope that you guys can provide me with a bit more info.