14 years old, dream career is an Airline Pilot. [Archive]

Omlaaay

1st Apr 2010, 22:37

welliewanger

2nd Apr 2010, 03:27

The other two posters have got it right. I'll just add my own tuppence worth:

A degree isn't everything. Really what's important is that you don't only have aviation. You need something to fall back on if you don't get the dream job straight away. And a job which can fund your training. Unless you've got pots of money and can pay for full time training, you'll need a job. That's why these guys have suggested getting a useful degree. 90% of the time a degree is the right way to do this although there are other careers which pay well but a degree isn't necessary for. Before going into aviation I worked in IT. I earnt more in IT than I ever will as a pilot and that was without a degree.

Basically you need a "Plan B"

OK, rant over! Good luck.

G SXTY

2nd Apr 2010, 11:21

Omlaaay, I wish I’d been as passionate about flying when I was 14!

The above advice is all good. Some more thoughts for you:

Any flying training is expensive, while commercial training is astronomically so. There are plenty of schools out there who would love to get their hands on £60k+ of your cash, and they will waste no time in selling you a dream. Always be sceptical, and always remember that any careers ‘advice’ you receive from a flying school should be taken with a large pinch of salt. Their primary aim is to make money by getting you to part with yours (or your parents’). I have met far too many teenagers who have been taken in completely by the schools’ marketing hype, and are setting themselves (or their parents) up for £60-£100k of debt without any certainty of a job at the end of it. Not a great start to your adult life.

At 14 you have all the time in the world to qualify, and more importantly, to earn the money with which to train. (I got my first airline job aged 36, with minimal debt, and I still have a 25 year career in front of me). I would echo the advice to get the best grades you can at school, join the air cadets, and if you are academically minded, consider going to university. A degree will not improve your chances of being a pilot, and will cost money and time which could be spent on flying training. But – and it’s a big but – a degree in a marketable subject (such as engineering, business studies, etc ) will give you a very useful plan ‘B’ should anything scupper your flying ambitions.

Many people who start flying training will never make it as a commercial pilot, for all sorts of reasons. Even if you’re the best pilot in the world and walk straight onto an Airbus with 200hrs, your future still depends on your airline not going bust, not to mention the medicals that you must pass every year (and eventually every 6 months) for your entire career. This is can be a very precarious career – as witnessed by the number of experienced jet pilots who have lost jobs recently with XL, Zoom, Flightline, Thomson, to name but a few – and if for that reason alone, it would be very wise to have qualifications or a trade to fall back on if it all goes wrong.

Omlaaay

2nd Apr 2010, 13:04

Okay, so my dream is to be a Commercial Airline Pilot. I have a total passion for it, and I am only 14 years old. I'll work my ass off to get there.
As I know training is super expensive, and most of the advice I have been given so far, people have said, have something to fall back on and find a job first so I can pay for training without getting in a tonne of debt. After taking this into consideration, I decided to plan out my life. Yes, I know you can't just plan your life out, and stick to it. But hypothetically speaking, if I could go down the route I have decided, is it a good idea?:

- Join Air Cadets
- Go on a Trial Flight
- Finish GCSE’s
- Get a Weekend Job
- Do A-Levels
- Get a Part-Time Job
- Get a PPL
- Go to University and get a Degree in something ICT related (My ‘Plan B’)
- Get a Job that takes advantage of my recent degree.
- Pass ATPL
- Get CPL License
- Look for a job as a Airline Pilot
- If there isn’t any, continue with my current profession and keep looking.
- If there is, quit current job and begin the start of my career is an Airline Pilot. :)

What do people think to this? Honest opinions please. :D

You probably think I'm totally naive to try and think of my life like this, but if you fail to prepare than prepare to fail?
I know there's not many piloting jobs out there at the minute, but who knows what it could be like in 10 years time? And at least I'd have a 'Plan B' to fall back on.

Anyone have any advice for me to become an Airline Pilot? If there's any pilot's out there, please can you tell me how you became one?

Thank you so much. :)

Emily.

alphaadrian

2nd Apr 2010, 13:15

I wish you the very best of luck but I also feel very sorry for you. The Industry has gone done the hill rapidly over the years and I think the term "career" now only applies to a select (and lucky) few. You are only 14 now so have a few years to go. Unless the industry changes for the better,which I somehow doubt, I would think long and hard about it before jumping in. Enthusiasm and a passion to fly? Well...most pilots have that. Unfortunetly whats needed these days is a very fat and full wallet:(. As previous posters have stated..make sure you have something else to fall back on. Its helped me numerous times!!

I really hope that in 10 years time,you have a fantastic flying job and you can tell me that I was wrong and was talking :mad:. That would be gr8 but somehow I doubt it if the current trend continues.

Whatever you decide my friend I sincerely wish you the very best of luck.

Alpha

aviatordom

2nd Apr 2010, 13:24

I'm not an Airline Pilot, but like you Omlaaay, I really, really wanted to fly commercially for an Airline. Here's what i tihnk you should do:

Join the Air Cadets

They'll provide you with opportunities to fly, meet instructors, visit RAF bases, etc. It will also show employers that you can work in a team, that your very keen on aviation, that your determined, responsible, etc.

(It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it will probably help to some extent in the future when it comes to interviews)

Work hard for your exams

You said that you were predicted A's and B's. That's excellent stuff! Excel in all of your subjects, obviously, but try extra hard for very good grades in Science, Maths, English and Geography (if you take it).

Book a Trial Lesson

A trial lesson is a short flight in a General Aviation aircraft, important because you'll be spending a lot of time in them before you fly a Boeing/Airbus!

Have an alternative career plan

As others have mentioned, its very wise to have a good idea of different jobs your interested in doing, incase you fail a medical, etc. This is what I have had to do, I turned Epileptic last year which forced me to look into different careers. Maybe consider ATC? Or Engineering-which is what I intend to do.

Some interesting sites:

SmartCockpit - Airline training guides, Aviation, Operations, Safety (http://www.smartcockpit.com)-Airliner flying manuals, information about aircraft systems-very interesting!

APST IPAS (http://www.nitex.nl/apst/)-An aptitude test designed for potential Pilots which focuses on co-ordination, numeracy, spatial ability, etc.

Ask Captain Lim (http://www.askcaptainlim.com)-An ex Singapore Airlines B777 captain who has answered questions from many people about different aspects of flying.

Southend Flying Club - Groundschool - Principles of Flight (http://www.southendflyingclub.co.uk/lecture/principles.htm)-A flying club at my local airport that has some online groundschool stuff

Hope this helps, and the very best of luck in achieving your dream!:ok:

Regards,

Dom

Omlaaay

2nd Apr 2010, 13:39

Okay, so I'm 14 years old and my absolute dream career is being an Airline Pilot. I am absolutely determined as hell, and I would say I am pretty 'intelligent' as I am taking my GCSE's a year early and already have a couple of full GCSE's under my belt.
I know that training to become an Airline Pilot is sooooo expensive and that there isn't always a job waiting at the other end, from all the advice I have received so far, I realised how important it is to have a 'Plan B'.
Because of this, I decided to think of ways to take my life in order to peruse my career, but I tried to think of it as realistically as possible, therefore not joining a flight school at 18 and leaving with a £80,000 debt - that is totally stupid and would never work.

This is what I came up with:
- Join Air Cadets
- Go on a Trial Flight
- Finish GCSE’s
- Get a Weekend Job
- Do A-Levels
- Get a Part-Time Job
- Get a PPL
- Go to University and get a Degree in something ICT related (My ‘Plan B’)
- Get a Job that takes advantage of my recent degree.
- Pass ATPL
- Get CPL License
- Look for a job as a Airline Pilot
- If there isn’t any, continue with my current profession and keep looking.
- If there is, quit current job and begin the start of my career is an Airline Pilot. :)

You may think this is totally naive of me, but I know it is not possible to make life decisions as big as this at such a young age and stick with it. I know circumstances will most likely change and I will have to alter my plans accordingly. I just wondered what people's opinions were on taking this route?
And if anyone has any other advice that would be greatly accepted.

Thank you sooooo much in advance, you've helped me loads.

Emily. :)

PlainTalk

2nd Apr 2010, 13:47

Emily,

Well its a pretty impressive start with your list, good show already. Air cadets is the way to go, get in there, you will get flying time with them.

You will get alot of advice pretty soon on this forum! All I will add is, presently the industry is very low but expect some kind of recovery by 1st to 2nd quarter of next year but I reckon you know that. Not going to affect you though, as you are years away, so your timing is good.

Yes, another back up is a very good idea, just say, you lose your medical, its not over though, as plenty of work to be had in ground instruction in various forms, so perhaps plan B with an eye also on that, so as to stay in aviation. Once you get in aviation and start flying, generally nothing else will do.

Non of the study is rocket science just volume of study. If you have such a passion for aviation you will enjoy it immensely, like myself. Select flight schools very carefully and don't hand money over first, this forum will point you in the right direct regarding that. Ground school, I would personally recommend Bristol Ground School and the forum will probably say the same. Lastly, network, clubs are a good start, a lot of airline guys tend to hang around them on their time off, as they like to talk about themselves and what they do!

Most of all, enjoy the journey, nothing else like it.

PlainTalk

IrishJason

2nd Apr 2010, 14:46

Your very well educated emily well done. im 22 now and looking at doing my ppl soon either here in Ireland or in Florida. The problem i have is i have a 10 month old son and a household too keep going at the same time. thats just life though. things like this come up all the time. my advice would be too save as much as you can. stay living at home for as long as you can and keep debt free until you have at least your ppl done. ie no cars, holidays etc. i know it sounds boring but life has ways of turning things upsidedown quick. good luck in any case

Aerouk

2nd Apr 2010, 15:28

The Air Cadets was possible one of the best decisions I ever made in my life, I got a real buzz from it.

The second best decision I made was going to University, so I think you've got an excellent plan ahead of you.

The only thing I would add is make sure, as you get older, that you network with people in the industry.

jimsmitty01

2nd Apr 2010, 15:31

If your a British citizen and planning on going to Uni in England then I suggest you join the University Air Squadron in your first year. It is still a way off for you yet, but bear this in mind as it is the perfect way to start your career in aviation and doesn't cost a penny. In fact you even get a small bounty for your 'troubles'!

If you manage to get in (there is a selection process, but don't be put off by this as it is good experience either way) then it will be down to you whether you want to join the RAF after graduating or move onto a commercial airline / instructing / general aviation etc..

Best of luck!

Jim

flyvirgin

2nd Apr 2010, 16:14

Christ you seem intelligent,:ok:
It’s a very good idea to have a back up plan (ie a second career) behind you, because you cannont predict the future,
I did as you are saying, but a little different, I left school at 16, got a job, Got qualified in my job, saved every penny, took every course going, now I’m in a position to pay for my flying outright, no debt, and when I qualify, if I can’t get a job, ill go back to what I was doing,
I think its absolutely essential to have a back up career, you get these young lads who come straight out of oxford expecting to get a job straight away, because they have been told a lie by the school, most struggle to pay back there debt and end up in a big black hole,
I am just finishing my ATPLS then starting the Cpl in June,
Hope it all goes well for you and good luck,
Flyvirgin

wnjmurphy

2nd Apr 2010, 16:30

I would echo the sentiments previously about the Air Cadet Organisation, you certainly won't regret it providing you take every opportunity you can and work hard. It really is an organisation that you get out what you put in, with interest. The opportunities for flying are brilliant, you would need to look at that "weekend job" and see if they could be flexible. I've sadly seen a number of enthusiastic cadets fall by the wayside whenever money dribbled into their bank account!

I didn't take some of the opportunities on offer, and have kinda regretted it, apart from the fact that now (as an RAFVR[T] officer on an ATC squadron) I have a chance to develop similarly minded young men and women, no matter what their eventual goal is.

Best of luck, and if you need any advice about joining the ATC etc, feel free to pop a PM or two my way. :)

RichardH

2nd Apr 2010, 17:00

Emily you certainly seem to have got your head screwed on. Bags of common-sense which regretfully isn't very common.

An excellent & logical plan and represents the least risk approach.

As an instructor with the ATC I recommend you join NOW and get involved in all squadron activities, get noticed for the right reasons. You will find that the academic side of the Corps is a good grounding for the PPL. The Corps also offers various gliding and flying scholarships (subject to selection).
Joining the ATC not only does it show your interest in flying; it also shows leadership potential to future employers.

The only thing I would suggest is that PRIOR to starting your PPL go down to Gatwick and get a Class One Medical as you need it eventually for ATPL/CPL.
Class Two okay for PPL training but you must look beyond.

Best of luck and please PM me for any further advice if you wish.

Cpt. Sunshine

2nd Apr 2010, 17:39

Hi Omlaaay,

I find myself in an almost identical situation to yourself. I'm 14 at the moment and in Year 9 (take it you're in Yr10/11). Just chosen my options including an early GCSE and two AS Levels in Yr11.

I've got no real advice for you but I'll throw a few ideas on the table to help you out. I first flew aged 13 when I took a trial lesson. I'm now saving for a PPL and trying to get some part time holiday work down at an airfield somewhere (anyone who knows of any P/T work at Gamston/Netherthorpe could you please get in contact via PM please ;)). I'd say take a trial lesson because if you like it, then the thought of going flying again is good motivation for exam revision and a damn good reason to try at school.

Then there's getting advice. If you have a Facebook Account, add Captain Alan Carter, he puts alot of info up on his page and photos/vids from his job for all to see. He also gives advice when is asked and is a very good man for doing so. I went to a seminar called "Efficient Sector" hosted by two Thomson 757 FO's and it was very good. I got a lot of advice and continuing support from them. The £50 was very well spent.

I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that someday we'll both be working on the flightdeck.

Omlaaay

2nd Apr 2010, 18:00

Thank you to everyone's advice.

I'll be joining the Air Cadets as soon as the letter comes through the post.

I'll also try and get a First Class Medical after I go on a Trial Flight.

Thank you to everyone wishing me good luck. :D

JohnnyPharm

2nd Apr 2010, 18:18

Join the Air League as well you can get a bursary from them for Approx £800 and it looks good on CV.

PAPI-74

2nd Apr 2010, 18:51

Air Cadets will give you a Gliding Scholarship and possibly a flying scholarship. You could then become a Staff Cadet at your local VGS (gliding school) where they will train you to become an instructor on the Grob motor glider.
Try GAPAN nearer the time as they have scholarships:
Flying Scholarships 2010 - GAPAN (http://www.gapan.org/career-matters/scholarships/)
Air Cadets - Home (http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/)
RAF Odiham - 618 VGS (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafodiham/aboutus/618vgs.cfm)
YouTube - 212 Risca Sqn Air Cadets Recruitment Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o_D80HOPaM)

I'm not Welsh - the vid just looked one of the better ones!

Get stuck in....the rest will come with 110%!:ok:

I joined at 15 and today at 36 - I still can't shake it. If it wasn't for the ATC, I wouldn't be an airline pilot. You will learn leadership, citizenship, teamwork, pride, marksmanship, satisfaction....you complete the list after 6 months.

YouTube - ATC - air cadets recruiting video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCcyKsnZwMU&NR=1)

See the site for N. Sheffield Sqn and S.Sheffield Sqn

PAPI-74

2nd Apr 2010, 19:16

Flybe.com | Careers | Pilots | Pilot sponsorship (http://www.flybe.com/careers/pilots_sponsorship.htm)

Some airlines offer sponsorship or part sponsorship. As you can imagine, thousands apply, but someone has to get it - why not you....

aviatordom

2nd Apr 2010, 20:58

Omlaaay

2nd Apr 2010, 20:59

aviatordom: Thanks for your advice, but I just wondered what you mean by protecting your dream?

flyvirgin

2nd Apr 2010, 21:05

Update from me:

I don't want to sound soppy/stupid, but do everything that you can to protect your dream. I didn't, maybe some of that wasn't my fault, but maybe I could have avoided it being taken away from me, I still get really annoyed with myself some days because of it, maybe it wasn't meant to be, perhaps it was-i'll never know.

You have nothing stopping you-protect that dream and chase it!:ok:
Surly at the age of 15 your dream is far from over:sad:i left school at 16 thinking i was jack the lad, got rubbish results, realised that i messed up big time, went night school got my GCSE's up to scratch, now im doing my ATPLS:ok:

student88

2nd Apr 2010, 22:05

Dom, within reason, at your age anything is possible. You have a clean slate unless it's medical related. You're still *very* young.

aviatordom

2nd Apr 2010, 22:32

Its Medical Related:(

>Olaay: What do I mean by protecting your dream?

Things like working hard, getting as much experience as possible, doing everything you can possibly do to increase your chances of becoming a Pilot

I forgot to mention: Try asking a local flying club if they'll take you on to do part-time work such as organising paperwork, cleaning aircraft, etc.

Doesn't sound glamorous, but it might help and its another way of showing that your dedicated to your interests:ok:

tggzzz

2nd Apr 2010, 22:40

My daughter started learning to fly when she had just turned 15, so you might like to consider these points...

Try it asap, to make sure that you really do enjoy it. If you do enjoy it, do you want it to be your hobby or your profession. In 6 years time you may have changed your mind, so make sure you don't take any decisions that preclude you doing something else. Check you aren't medically prevented from becoming a commercial pilot (e.g colour blindness etc etc etc)

There are many scholarships available, see the links on
Junior Gliding (http://www.juniorgliding.co.uk/affordableflying/)

Gliding outside the Air Cadets is extremely affordable for a youngster (my club is £40/year plus £6 per launch). Find your nearest club at
British Gliding Association - UK Map (http://www.gliding.co.uk/findaclub/ukmap.htm)

Understand the cost vs time tradeoffs for Air Cadets and club flying. When learning it is advisable to fly as often as possible - I made little progress when only flying once a month.

My daughter was flying aerobatics in gliders -- loops and spins at 1500ft -- (with an instructor behind her of course) when she was 15, and she wasn't the only under-16 doing it. You could too. The major danger would be that you might get bored flying straight and level in powered aircraft :)

Denti

3rd Apr 2010, 08:23

Glider flying is probably one of the best ways to start flying. You learn quite a lot about aircraft handling, weather, airmanship etc. Granted, over here in germany we do not have air cadets so glider flying was the only way for me to start flying for real at 14. It was cheap, i saw quite a lot of europe during our summer gliding camps in different european countries and i still draw from what i learned back then. However, weekend jobs and some working during vacation is probably needed to pursue that, but that isn't bad either.

Subhuman

3rd Apr 2010, 15:35

As someone who left school at 16 with visions of being a pilot (note - not "airline"), I would also backup the ideas of starting with gliding - very cheap to learn and the trick with aviation is to keep your hand in if at all possible.

I managed to be getting paid to fly at the age of 19 - but it took at a lot of hard work! The backup plan is also sound advice - while I was job hunting I still had to eat, so having skills in another area is invaluable. Don't worry so much about the degree - like people have said - if you can do well through your ATPL GS then thats proof enough you have the knowledge.

Best of luck :)

EGCC4284

4th Apr 2010, 15:13

Emily

Best thing to do is if you can, see if you could ever pass a class 1 medical at Gatwick. Not sure about what age you would have to be to do that. In the meantime, if you can afford to get your PPL then go for that.

I would also suggest that you seriously think about some other sort of job for the next 10 years whilst you save as much money as possible. Save as much as you can whilst you do your PPL if possible and then go modular route and get you licence.

Join the ATC and enjoy your time there and most impostant of all

Network, network, network

Rob

Flying Squid

4th Apr 2010, 18:19

Option A

1) Get the very best GCSE and A-Level results you can. I know teachers and parents seem boring when they bash on about how important they are, and I was the first to stick 2 fingers up and nip outside for a crafty fag at school, but its so true that your school education is the foundation for the rest of your working life.

2) While studying for your GCSE's/A-Level's, investgate other options open to you. Get qualified in something else outside aviation, do a few years of meanigful work in this chosen field so that you can fall back on it if ever required.

3) Assess the state of the industry and your desire to get into flying with a mature and level head.

4) If after all the above your heart, head and gut still want it...GO FOR IT! You only live once.

OPTION B

1) Continue at school as normal.

2) Throw caution to the wind, get a huge loan and GO FOR IT! You only live once.

For the record, I did a mix of the two which has served me ok so far...other than qualifying in the midst of the worse recession for almost a century.

Now, I'm no aviation guru, I don't have umpteen thousand hours and perhaps I could have made some better choices along the way. But we're all only human and as any pilot worth their salt will tell you, its not a crime to make a mistake but its always criminal not to learn from it. So my best advice would be to do as much research as possible, speak to as many experienced and inexperienced pilots as you can. I guess what Im trying to say is to get the big picture before you do anything.

Finally....NEVER let ANYONE tell you somethings not possible. Work hard enough and use your loaf. When you go back to school after the easter break just go in every day with the thought that its your dream to lose if you dont work at it.

Cheers
FS :ok:

Aerouk

4th Apr 2010, 19:26

Finally....NEVER let ANYONE tell you somethings not possible. Work hard enough and use your loaf. Very important.

When I was 15 I was told by my careers advisor to consider applying for a job with the local council because the chances of me getting good GCSEs/Standard Grades and going onto College or University were slim...

Ended up starting a Law degree at the age of 17 and became a qualified pilot a couple of years later. If you want something work for it, I ended up sending a letter to my careers advisor thanking them for their crap advice, it motivated me to prove them wrong.

DrumMachine

4th Apr 2010, 20:03

What an inspiring thread, lots of great advice here. Have you considered the RAF? I had 20 great years and am now loving my second career in the commercial sector. I would never have been able to afford the training costs! Best advice I can give you is to believe in yourself and work damn hard! Read Ellen Macathur's book: 'taking on the world' - different topic but great inspiration for what can be achieved with nothing but determination.
Good Luck.

Pilot Positive

5th Apr 2010, 01:49

if you fail to prepare than prepare to fail?

God, I wish someone had told me that when I was 14!!

Emily, you've heard lots of differing oppinions about whether you should or should not pursue a career in aviation and how you might go about it. None of them are wrong and all bring their own prospective and percpetion of aviation. However, listening to too many oppinions can make it difficult to formulate a plan of your own (cant see the woods for the trees!) and the best thing is to simply go and see for yourself.

The truth is, there is no standard or mathematical formula to achieving what you want in life generally. But here's a few ideas:

1. Do what you feel you are comfortable with, make sure you have a balance in your life in terms of school work, friends and hobbies. This is very very important. :)

2. Have a set of realistic goals and work towards them in small and fun chunks - small goals to be achieved in achievable timeframes. :ok:

3. Enjoy what you want to do by involving your parents and friends and by becoming part of a community. :ok:

4. Accept that sometimes you will not succeed (regardless of how hard you might try) and it will hurt :{ - but that does not mean you have failed or have to give up. :)

5. Keep an open mind to other options. Not because aviation is a big bad place :} - all industries have their issues - but because you might find you just dont like it or you like something better. :cool:

Good luck with whatever you choose to do. ;)

B2N2

7th Jan 2019, 02:33

Last activity here was Aug 2015.
With these types of threads I usually check their profile page.

PA28161

7th Jan 2019, 13:04

So, I'm a 14 year old girl in England and my absolute dream job is to be an Airline Pilot. I'm currently doing my GCSE's, however I am doing them a year early and I am on target for A's and B's.
I'd love to be an Airline Pilot and I'd work my ass off to get there, I want it SO much.
I know it costs an absolute bomb to train and there are so little jobs at the minute, but who knows what it could be like in 10 years time?

Does anyone have any advice for me as a wannabe Airline Pilot?
Thank you. :)
Keep the dream alive and don't give up. Work hard at school and get the best grades you can both in GCSE's and 'A' levels but as other's have said always have a plan 'B'
My son did the modular route to his ATPL's and got a job with a major British airline within six months of completing his training. They paid for his type rating on the A320/A321.
Most of the airlines are anxious to recruit more women in an effort to redress the skewed male to female percentage ratio of 90:10 percent respectively
Good luck !!