absolutely lost

[esaglik]

Ok my ambition is to be a pilot. Right now im 17, studying for alevels. My thoughts are that I'll do my alevels, then instead of university go into pilot training. Im currently an air cadet, through the corps ive gained a total of 4 hours in a motor glider and about 3 hours powered flight. I've been interested in aviation and flying planes since I was about 4. I was litterally the little kid you'd see go up to the cockpit and ask the pilots lots of questions. I'm lucky enough to know two pilots and a current trainee pilot and one of them suggested I come on here.
Now as far as my understanding goes;
First you get your ppl which invloves a couple of tests and around 150 hours flying?
then cpl, followed by instrument rating? and thats as far as ive managed to delve into.

Im not fortunate enough to be in a position to do an integrated course for 70 odd thousand pounds.
I understand theres a new type of training starting to come round where instead of doing any flight in piston aircraft, you get in with an airline, they start you out on ground school and simulators, then straight into jets? apparently its a damn sight cheaper and it gets you straight into a job? then when I go up the ladder towards a first captain i can go back and do the ppl in my free time.

Has anyone heard about a company based in hong kong which only does long haul? As far as i can tell they sponsor you through training then you have to live in the far east for a couple of years then when you advance to a captain you can choose where youre based? It's all long haul there so the money wont be too bad I'm thinking?

My BIGGEST question of all is, where on earth do I start?! :s

[stevop21]

Thats cool :) I'm 16 and I also would like to be a pilot. To make the best use of these forums I find you should read 90% and post 10%. Many of your questions are answered here already and you can get a lot more infortmation from the threads aswell and to be honest if you were very keen I would have thought you may have researched a lot more I started when I was 14.

You don't need 150 hours for the PPL issue, a minimum of 45 is required but I think most people take about 60 hours to complete it. You have missed out the ATPL groundschool which will be required. Search for it here in the forum and there is lots of threads about where to do it etc... I think you need to have the MCC and JOC but I don't know much about those

You are very lucky to know people in the industry, contacts can be vital. I know no one but I am 16 so I have lots of time.

I don't really have an opinion on the uni degree vs. flight training but again there is a big thread about it somewhere. As long as you have a backup plan incase aviation goes down the p*sser.

I also don't have the 70 grand to blow on integrated flight training, even if I did I'm not sure if I would as I cannot see a significant advantage over modular training.

Cathay Pacific? :\ They don't do long haul exclusively but their smallest aircraft is an Airbus A330. If you head over the the fragrant harbour wannabes section there is a big thread about CX cadets there. I don't think you will be able to choose where you are based, but you will probably be able to bid for it. It is also worth checking out Etihad who periodically offer sponsorship to international applicants.

You start by getting your PPL, get a part time job to earn some cash to fund it!

Good luck!

[SW1]

Esaglik,

Not sure how close you are to being 18, but I dotn think it would hurt to fill out the online application for Cathay Pacifics cadet scheme. Bear in Mind you will be a Second Officer for 5 + years (making the bunkbeds and not ever getting to take off and land) You will make Captain about 15-20 years after you start,so be under no illusions that you will be captain after 2 years.

Heres the link:

Cathay Pacific - Careers : Careers Home (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/careers/flying/cadetpilot)

[HPSC]

Im 16 and in the same boat as you,studying for my A-Levels.
Ive got a job at argos:E and started saving every penny!
I started flying lessons last september:}, it hurts me to think that each of my hour lessons cost me about £120.00! But its money well spent, im doing something I love doing:E
So good luck, and get some flying lessons!:ok:

Happy flying!

[Council Van]

Try this book. I thought it was very good some 15 years ago.Clive Hughes - Guide to getting a Commercial Pilot Licence (http://www.ppl-atpl.demon.co.uk/)

[Halfwayback]

A quick note to all of the Wannabee posters.

This forum has a large number of very experienced pilots who a genuinely pleased to help people get a first foot on the ladder.

However they do expect that you have done some research beforehand and not just expect ot be spoonfed - there is no FAQ section. However all the questions you ask have been asked and answered before - very regularly.

I suggest you spend a few hours using the search function and reading through some of the 'sticky' threads above. You will not only find the answer to your questions but will also learn a lot about the industry in general - and about the parlous state it is in at the moment!

HWB

The thread is now closed