Decision to make...

[Pilot CR]

Hi all, im just looking for your views and advise.

Basically, im currently 17 in year 12 doing my AS, 18 in Sept. I am looking at two options:

1). Applying to an FTO at the end of this year so i can start training once i leave sixth form in summer 2016,
or,
2). Wait until 2017 to apply to the BA FPP, which would be a lot harder to get on to the course.

I will have a PPL by the end of this year, i have work experience with a Private Airline, and have been Head Boy etc, and have been awarded numerous awards. My friend in the year above me has done my 'option 1' and has now left sixth form early to start at OAA on an intergrated route, I however will be finishing my A levels. But im unsure on what to do as waiting to apply to the BA FPP, which may not even be running in 2017, means another two years, and about 6 months after finishing sixth form - although this is an extremely hard course to be selected onto.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Thank you

[BittenEdges]

Hi Pilot CR,

I think it's great that you are so enthusiastic but I would say that there is no rush. First of all I would recommend certainly finishing your A levels first and putting all of your efforts into those to make sure you get the grades for FPP should you wish to go for it.

As for whether to go in for a pure "white tail" integrated course or an airline sponsored scheme, I would have said that it would be better to wait for a good airline sponsored scheme to come along and try for that first. You've got time on your side, if needs be go and get a job while you wait, build up some life experience. If the airline sponsored schemes don't work? Well then you can try looking at integrated later on.... but really I don't advise rushing straight onto an integrated course with no firm job promise at the end. From the timescales I seem to understand you'll only be 19 or so by then which is nothing really... it was 8 years between me leaving college and starting on an airline sponsored course so I wouldn't sweat about a year or so getting some work experience, to the contrary I would personally recommend it.

Having been through one of the larger training orgranisations and seen the stress that some of my friends have been through trying to get placed at the end, try and go airline tagged all the way if you can. ;)

Cheers!

[average-punter]

Option two sounds like the far superior option to me.

There is absolutely no rush. I would take the time to try to get the best possible job you can, preferably in aviation. Save a bit of money and take a good few lessons to make sure you like it. Then when the time comes apply to tagged airline programmes. The FPP is very competitive and you will need some sound examples about specific times when you have shown the competencies that BA are looking for, as a school leaver you may find it harder to give an example that they deem acceptable, however it has been done.

Any flying course takes a certain level of maturity, some people have it at 18 whilst others don't. I've certainly seen a few fresh out of school people who I would never hire in a million years if I were a chief pilot, I have also seem some that I would... It is a very personal thing. I doubt I could have done it straight out of school.

[Pilot CR]

Thank you both for your honest replys :)...

It is a tough decision but i do have to agree with you both really, i will finish my A levels and aim for some more work experience etc to help with the process, if i am not going to go to uni.

[Journey Man]

There is no decision. There are no circumstances under which you should undertake an enormous amount of debt, with no job security offered, before exploring a cadet scheme tied to an airline.

Your friend who has dropped out of college to pursue Option 1 is immature and has no concept of risk assessment.

That's the harsh line. Look, I recognise that the landscape for aviation nowadays has changed considerably for the worse. I also understand that it's far to easy for those safely ensconced in a comfortable career, with an adequate salary, to say "don't pay for anything". I heeded that advice ten years ago, and had a long old slog to where I am now, whilst friends who took the fledgling SSTR route are now moving to the left seat of orange Airbuses. The financial outlay required of an aspiring pilot nowadays in relation to the salary is frankly financially not viable. Sit down with your folks and go over the finances; be realistic and don't take the best case scenarios, as you're unlikely to achieve them and you need to know you can survive the worst.

Airlines have made aviation an untenable career choice for those looking to join the industry. Yet they can't afford the commercial disadvantage of training their own pilots. It's a case of who'll blink first; the aspirant or the airline.

Airline cadet scheme all the way.

[JB007]

Best bit of advice and something every aspiring pilot should read, regardless of circumstance.

Patience...you have all the time in the world, don't rush into Aviation!

[Pilot CR]

Thank you guys for the great advice :)

What are you views on the tagged Easy MPL route? Im not up to date with what this is excatly?

[BittenEdges]

As far as I can tell it's basically the best part of £110k for an MPL and to be pre-selected for "flexi" contract working with a POSSIBLE offer of a permanent job after 12 months service. You will not be offered a permanent job on completion of training, just a possibility of this in the future.

That's a lot of money for not a lot of certainty at the end as far as I can see. No shortage of flexi crew info on here so I'll leave it there as it's starting to give me a cold sweat thinking about it.

[Jaair]

You would be applying to universities next year in Year 13. Consider getting a (non-useless) degree unrelated to aviation.

I was actually in your position, I am currently 19. I went to Uni and completed first year. I wanted to fly so badly you would not believe it... I dropped out and started my PPL with the ATPL in mind.

I resisted this temptation of carrying onto ATPL and all the other modular courses as it is VERY risky and will soon be going back to University to finish my degree.

I'll soon be receiving my PPL and I'm happier than ever now that I can simply just rent an aircraft when the feelings kick in!

Aviation is extremely unstable and no pilot will know where he'll be in the next year. Also, have we actually gotten to the point where we're willing to spend £110k on a scheme which doesn't even guarantee you a job? Makes me feel sick inside, to say the least.

You are young, you have so many opportunities...open as many doors as possible, while you still can.

[parkfell]

Besides the BA FPP scheme, you should consider Aer Lingus as well.

The BA demand for pilots will continue to grow..........mature team player with aptitude is critical