Become pilot

[vkracing]

Hello guys, just registered.

I am now 17 years old and will finish school in june 2012 (will be 18).
I live in Georgia (caucasus region if don't know) I am not US or EU citizen
have only Georgian citizenship. And the most important is that i have no enough
money finance pilot training abroad. I am not eligible for the most of financial aid opportunities as I understand.

I've heard about cathay pacific program and I will apply as soon as I turn 18.
any suggestions about what i should do?
any opportunity is acceptable for me (including bank loans).
hope you help me.
thank you

[Bearcat F8F]

Hey, is it quite easy for Georgians to go study in Russia? If so, that is your best bet.

If not, probably do what most people do - get higher education, work, save up, then go learn to fly. Keep trying any cadet schemes you can find that you are eligible for...

[stevop21]

So I guess you have no choice but to save up some money! Perhaps start by finding a job? I have no idea what you can/cannot do in Georgia but I imagine it would be fairly similar as to what you can work as here age 17. Shops and restaurants are the main employers of 17 year olds in the UK. Although trying to get something in the aviation sector would be beneficial. I work valeting private jets, it's relaxed work, you work with nice shiney jets and you meet lots of people in the industry.

Although what I think would be good is if you come over to either the UK or the US and try and work here, it would also improve your English at the same time. I read your posts and I understand exactly what you are saying but I know by reading it that you aren't a native English speaker. I do not mean to come across rude, Yyur English is very good!! But if you could master 'super fluent English' (I mean speaking like a native) I think you would have a very strong advantage!

I see that on AirZena's website they say All crews have undergone initial training programs abroad:
ICARE Training Centre (France), UAB Cam&Cons (Vilnius, Lithuania), Malev Training Center (Hungary), Pan American Flight Academy (Miami, Florida)


http://www.airzena.com/index.php?m=3&servid4=18


So perhaps that is a starting point, research some of those places?


Best of luck!

[KAG]

Vkracing, I guess you can speak russian. If yes, you might have opportunities in Russia, they are hiring pilots there.
That's you best bet, in the west (US/EU), many pilots cannot find any job. In Russia, middle east, Asia, that's much better.
If you can speak russian, it might be a big asset for yout future career.
Good luck.

[Sassy91]

KAG they won't take him/her in Russia. Have to have Russian passport unfortunately.

[KAG]

Too bad then, that's not like there is much choice in Georgia...


Georgia is not former USSR? No possibility, no way for a georgian to work in russia because of that?

[Sassy91]

Well he could get a work visa but that won't let him be in flight crew. Actually it states in the Air Law that flight crew must be Russian citizens.

[KAG]

Alright then. I guess, if there is no possibility, that his situation won't be easy, in the west there is very little hiring.

[vkracing]

thanks for the help. I will try to find sponsor for my training. hope it works.
actually there is aviation university here that prepares pilots but i am not sure
about my career opportunities after finishing it. I will try to look up for airline pilot here and ask for advice I think

[HPbleed]

Air Force?

[vkracing]

Air force of georgia won't have any aircraft soon. It will only consist of helis

[Bearcat F8F]

Well he could get a work visa but that won't let him be in flight crew. Actually it states in the Air Law that flight crew must be Russian citizens.

Do you by any chance know how difficult/ expensive it is to convert a Russian equivalent of fATPL to JAA?

[Halfwayback]

vkracing
Welcome to the Pprune Wannabee forums and I hope that you will get the information you seek from some of the experienced pilots that are here to help people get a foot on the first rung of the ladder.

I understand the problems that exist in your beautiful country following the events of 2008 in South Ossetia and this will inevitably have an impact on your flight training and the limited choice training schools. This will make it even more difficult for you than those in the West.

Please take some time to read through the threads here and you will soon see that there are a lot of pilots looking for the elusive first job and there are also very many experienced pilots who have lost their jobs due to the current financial turmoil which makes it questionable if you should start your training now. You will also learn that the training is very expensive.

Personally I would wait a couple of years, save some money and keep watching the marketplace.

Good luck

HWB

[zondaracer]

Bearcat,

It is just as expensive as going from FAA to JAA. In fact, the process is the same, since Russia is not a JAA signatory, and all 14 exams must be completed as well.

[Bearcat F8F]

It is just as expensive as going from FAA to JAA. In fact, the process is the same, since Russia is not a JAA signatory, and all 14 exams must be completed as well.

Thanks gocha.

[vkracing]

HELLO,

I am 18 years old and I want to become pilot (trough cadet pilot programme.I can not afford it). As you told me here I'd better wait some time because job
market is overloaded. So obtaining bachelor degree is the only option in this case. I will be 23 after graduating university (considering 4 year degree). Will
there be any chanses for me than?

[Morris542]

Yes........

[dlx_xlb]

Also yes.. And it says your 17??

[dood]

I was exactly in the same position at 18 I'm 23 now. I decided to get my degree and do my flying. Difference is I chose modular training as it fitted in during my summer breaks at university really well and there weren't any cadet programs at the time.
It's an excellent backup too as I've had to use it to get a really good job outside the industry to support my hour building and actually having a life other than aviation.
Most of the cadets on current cadet programs are degree holders and the average age is 25.

My advice. Get a degree in something you enjoy and take the time to get your PPL through the University Air Squadron if you're in the UK or similarly otherwise.

[vkracing]

I will turn 18 in 2 days

[vkracing]

I live in Georgia (not in US but country in caucasus region)
I am going to study in US. thank you for help

[Kyriakos]

Go get your bachelor's degree and then your f. atpl.!
Otherwise if you are not lucky enough by being at the right spot on the right time you ll be serving coffee at Starbucks (nothing wrong with that but still you wont be able to support a family or start your life).
Good luck! :ok:

[Council Van]

Definitely get a degree, a great decision.

I had rubbish jobs for a lot of years and slowly financed my commercial licence getting my first proper flying job at the age of 30. Nine and a half years later I found myself on the dole with a not very good type rating (Dornier 228). I was unemployed for 18 months and found it impossible to get a well paid non flying job as I had no real experience or qualifications away from aviation. I really regretted not having a degree during that period with a wife and family to support.

Fortunately I eventually got pulled out of a hold pool I had been in for nearly 3 years and now fly yellow 757’s

No decent qualifications as an ex pilot and you are useless.

[pablo2973]

YES !!!! I´m 41 now and got my first job as pilot at 39 ,not bachelors degree for me either ,just lots of savings and frustrations instead :ugh:.

[Halfwayback]

vkracing

I responded to your first post - you have now started a new thread but I'm afraid that nothing has changed in the past month.

Although the market is slowly showing signs of picking up there are still lots of unemployed experienced pilots with full licences. A quick read through these pages will show you how bad things are at the moment.

So I repeat my advice - get your degree and then come back to flying. As you say it is very expensive and there are not a lot of opportunities in Tbilisi, Georgia. You will need to have a good job to earn sufficient to pay for flight training in either Europe or the USA.

I wish you the best of luck.

I will now close this thread.

Halfwayback