A-level Choices For Pilot Career

[flare and touchdown!]

Hi there.

Flying on average once a month, and loving every moment of it, as well as a commercial Flight Simulator fanatic (training myself however, to the extent possible - not just as a game) I am looking for a career to be a pilot, and am at the age of choosing my A-level choices.

I want to know, which of the following (or any not mentioned) i should take, if i want to successfully proceed after into pilot training for my ATPL:

Maths
Further Maths
Physics
Spanish
Geography

I must pick 4, and i need to know, on a CV, what subjects are desirable to see a candidate have as A-levels, and what would be the best ones to have if i have any chance of an airline sponsoring training me?

This would be an enormous help, and i thank you all for your time!

[BerksFlyer]

Do what you're good at. It's better to get an A in Spanish than to get a C in Maths or Physics.

As for airlines sponsoring training, I think you need to do a bit of research because there are very few sponsorships 0-ATPL now. The only ones I can think of which would class as that are CTC wings and Highland Airways (except you need a PPL for that).

[flare and touchdown!]

I cannot convey how helpful this all is, thank you all.

From what i can conclude from what you have all kindly advised, both Maths and physics will be benefical, (as well as Spanish and Geography) and the idea of a sponsored training is out of the window anyway!

But my question is, is physics A-level of releveance, if flying ATPL training is on AIR LAW and none of the a-level syllabus' even touch on that.

Personally, i would like to do
Physics
Maths
Geography
Spanish

but am not sure about doing FURTHER MATHS instead of PHYSICS, because of increased use or relevance!

I know it sounds stupid, but i am strongly considering at least a year of cabin crew after my a-levels, to get an experience of flying, as well as my PPL in South Africa, as i family have property over there and it's a bit cheaper.

Based on this, is there any further advice?

I cannot express how valuable this all is, and i thank each and every one of you!

[fantom]

Do Maths and Physics.

Don't do Media studies or Flower arranging.

Or Holistic fragrances.

[Whirlygig]

Physics is useful when studying Principles of Flight, Radio Wave Propoagtion, Meteorology, Instrumentation. Maths is also useful; if you're comfortable (and quick) with trigonometry, algebra and graphs, then you'll have a speed advantage when sitting the exams.

As for the other A-Levels? Do what you do best!

Cheers

Whirls

[lady in red]

My advice would be to do all of the above and ENGLISH. Many people fail to get an interview with an airline simply because of inability to complete the on-line questionnaire with accurate spelling and punctuation!
Also I suggest doing aptitude testing (costs £175) through the GAPAN scheme at Cranwell before embarking on expensive flying training. AND make sure that you can get a Class 1 medical. Good idea to do both of the latter before making choices as if it turns out you have no aptitude or cannot get the medical then your A level choices are irrelevant.

[Whirlygig]

I would also suggest English if I had any confidence that A Level English was graded by taking into account spelling, grammar and punctuation! A well-written CV and covering letter would demonstrate that better!

Cheers

Whirls

[eoincarey]

mate,w as in a similiar boat to you not so long ago.
First off, definitely get your degree - gives valuable life experience and maturity - makes much more sense to employ a pilot who's 'been around the block' a bit in life as opposed to a wet behind the ears 19 year old who's only just learnt to drive.
Regarding the subjects - and quoting not a little bit from the BA website! - do what you do best and what you'll enjoy. Sounds corny, but you'll find a levels a hell of a drag if you're doing geography when really you want to be learning spanish (and spanish girls are far better looking than geography lasses - believe me!)
Lots of people get hung up on the Maths and Physics importance - and there is something in this. Schemes sometime pop up (e.g. OAT - Thomas Cook, Netjets etc) that ask for them amongst others. Would be a shame to do yourself out of those opportunities at the first hurdle. Or you could do what I did - do what you enjoy at school (I did Maths, English, History) and then fill the gaps by distance learning. I did my Physics A level last year by correspondence - tough but worth it if it ticks a few more boxes.

Eoin

[17thhour]

I would also like to recommend English ontop of what i have already said above. Definently of relevance, not to your flying but to almost anything else you do.


Im in practically the same position- an impossible decision.

Except mine is for a degree or not. Do I really want to commit to a 3/4 year degree. Or in two years from now i could be starting my ATPL training. :ugh:

[Sam-MAN]

Hey.

I'm roughly the same age as you and taking the same choices this year. I posted here and was told to take what i enjoyed and was good at, and there isn't much point taking a subject that your crap at, as you'll just spend 2 years hating it.

Good luck in your future career :ok:

[1mag1n3]

You know, i just took my a levels, and i am studying them now, Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Geography, because i enjoy them. I took these myself with no advice from here, and i love them.

Just further maths isnt for the faint hearted, In my group we have finished studying Core 1, half way through Decision 1 and half way through Stats 1. All in about 7 or 8 weeks. And about 6 people have dropped out. I would say if you got a B or a low grade A take normal maths, however if you got a high grade A or A* then go for Further. If you think you can. [Hope this made sense!]

Just do what you like! And also guys, many people say a degree is irrellivant, many others say its crucial, so to put another opinion in there, dont do a degree, its more debt, when if you succeed at flying then its a waste.

Follow your heart, not your mind!

Just my 2 pence!

[F/O UFO]

Hi, I'm doing AS levels in;

Maths (it's hard)
Physics (very relevant to flying)
Geography
Economics

I did economics as a backup plan if the flying didn’t take off. I would certainly do maths and physics. Geography hasn’t covered anything meteorological yet- so I don't really know how useful it will be.

If I could choose again i would probebly pick something fun as my 4th subject- but I guess it looks good just doing academic things.

[Re-Heat]

It doesn't matter - just do what you are good at, and not what you think you should be doing to fly.

End of story.

[AdamLT]

i have to back up Re-Heat.
i studied A Level Physics many years ago but didn't see it through to the end. I have since taken a HND in Computer Aided Design and a degree in Architecture.
This was something i enjoyed and havent regretted not completing the physics, nor taking maths at higher level. Do what your passionate about....simple.

all the best with the studies :)

[garywoodrow]

Choose what you enjoy and are good at. Dont take anything you dont enjoy. I thought Maths would be good to be a pilot so i taken that up, 1 year later i failed and now im only doing 2 A-levels because i couldnt stand the work. Dont even try to kid yourself that you will enjoy or you will just get on with it, it never turns out how you want in the end. :ugh:

[flare and touchdown!]

Another special thank you to all of you!

This has all been so helpful..........invaluble advice!

Thank you all again.

[WildDart]

Simply do ones you enjoy, that is the primary rule number ONE!

Do ones you know your good at.

Best not to do ones like Maths if you cannot stand the subject, I for one hate maths to be honest. But im doing a maths based subject (accounting) and find it interesting and more beneificial to everyday life rather than normal maths.

Thats all there is to it, try get good grades all round.

[matt85]

Economics is half-interesting at A level and will also teach you some interesting things for later life.

A Level P.E covers some interesting learning concepts and basic physiology that may be useful at some point. i.e ATPL HPL.

Physics is probably a sound choice as well although I didn't do it.

[Scott Duch]

I do highers in Scotland and i'm currently doing English, Maths, Geography, Physics and Chemistry.

I have spoken to a few pilots most of them edging towards 'simply going for it' and trying to get a place on a course however, i'm still thinking long and hard also discussing with the parents the financial side of things so i'm mostly concentrating on school at the moment and simply in the 'planning stages of flying'.

I do recommend the subjects you're looking at taking so you are on the right track. :)