Can I actually become an airline pilot?

[olivermitch99]

Hi all,
I am 13 years old and I am hoping to become an airline pilot (UK). I have wanted to become one all my life and would call myself fairly knowledgeable.
I more or less understand the path to becoming one, (if anyone could just go over that for me in terms of training that would be greatly appreciated) but I don't think I would be able to fund it.
Could anyone please go over some ways on how to do so?

Thanks:)

[Airclues]

Oliver

Have a read through this thread;

http://www.pprune.org/professional-pilot-training-includes-ground-studies/521590-my-dream-advice-please-collective-thread.html

[darkroomsource]

At 13, you should follow your dream.
Have you researched yet what you will need in order to be a pilot?
e.g. are you in the right classes in school? are you planning on the right courses for your "6th form"?

Today, in the UK, a University degree is not a requirement for an airline pilot, but by the time you graduate "6th form", it might be, so plan accordingly.
(this will also give you something to focus on should you go a different route when you graduate, ie. you might want to be an Aeronautical Engineer but fly on the weekends)

From now until you're "old enough" get as much time around pilots as you can, particularly airline pilots if you can.

At your age, you can do anything if you put your heart, soul and mind into it.

[Exascot]

Oliver, All good advice so far. Sorry to be negative but I was mentor to young potential pilot. I recommended a medical. He was found to have a problem which precluded him. Not a bad idea at even your age to check this before planning your career.

Also look at other threads on this forum about quality of life. Airline flying is not, in my experience, a great job. Have a look at the exec jet world for example.

After 16 great years in The Royal Air Force I quit after just four years of airline flying.

[olivermitch99]

Thanks everyone.
I definitely have my heart set on an airline pilot career. I don't mind if a pilot's lifestyle isn't great, because I love flying.
I'll have a read of the link (Thanks)

[olivermitch99]

And as for my A-Levels, I'm thinking about taking IT, Maths, Physics and Spanish. Do you guys think this is the right choice. I know it's early but can't hurt to think ahead.

[darkroomsource]

Those A-level courses seem like excellent choices to me.
Not only have to selected courses that are appropriate for a career in Aviation, but also those that will serve you in many different careers, should you choose to do something a little different.
(You might decide, later, to be an IT consultant, and fly on the weekends, for example)
It's good to keep you options open, and follow your dream.

[John Farley]

Oliver

Do take a medical now as it is the only thing that you cannot control yourself.

Once the medical is sorted if you have enough determination there is nothing to stop you achieving any civil flying licence.

As an example I had a young lad approach me at Goodwood as I was taking a Ryan PT22 out of the hangar to go and do a display at a distant RAF airfield. The 'please can I fly with you mister' approach is not uncommon. I said yes but you will have to get out when I land. Then after my display I am not landing but going on to Biggin Hill for another display so you will have to make your own way back to Goodwood. When I taxied to my spot at Biggin the lad was the first person to meet me. I asked him how he had got there and he said he got a lift in the Red Arrows Hercules.

Over the next few years I encouraged him to get a licence. He was turned down by the RAF and the RN but he got a miserable well paid job and funded his PPL. Ditto his Frozen ATPL. Then he turned up with a A320 type rating I asked who paid for that and he said he did (he did horrible well paid jobs mainly at night)

Six weeks after that he got a job with an airline. He now flies A380s.

He was determined.

[Exascot]

Nice story John, however: He now flies A380s

No he doesn't, he is a systems manager.

Oliver says he likes flying. This is why I suggested exec jets, or of course there is the military option but I wouldn't recommend that route at the moment.

Edited to add just checked your profile John, yes, you used to fly! So did I but not in the airlines very much. And, all at night.

[HeartyMeatballs]

You sound exactly the same as I was at your age. A few things however. You say you don't mind if the lifestyle isn't that great. I said that once too. I even remember saying I'd move to Baghdad if we had a base there just to fly.

Having been on line for two years now, I now can't believe that I once said and thought those things. I've realised the job is exactly that. A job.

Lifestyle is extremely important. I'm based miles from home and I commute and it is tough. You loose track of friends, you hardly see your family and your relationship is jeopardised too. Take a look at the Mid East forums and the Far East forums if you think working for he ME3 or CX is any more glamorous than us mere short haul pilots. It's just as grim there too. No matter where you end up the chances are you'll be flying 900 hours a year. When you're not flying you realise just how important lifestyle is, particularly as you get older.

You'll likely spend the first ten years of your career paying in excess of £1000 a month on loan repayments. I earned £2000 last month. I have to pay to commute, pay for my accommodation in base etc etc. And I'm a lucky one. Many end up on zero hour contracts with huge loan repayments.

My advice - do something else. Do something with better prospects. Something you can do close to home, or transferable abroad. Do something that won't ruin your health, where bean counters won't happily ruin you life just to save a few pounds or reach a KPI. Get a well paid job, and fly for fun.

[Wycombe]

Oliver,

I would second (or third!) the advice to get a medical.

I was 17 when I found out, courtesy of RAF Officers and Aircrew selection, that I was colourblind (which usually precludes military or commercial flying). I was so upset that I didn't think straight and turned down offers of other roles - at the time (early 80's) I couldn't bear the thought of joining the RAF and not flying.

My point being that 17 was really too late, and probably shaped the course of my career from that point on. Looking back, I think things would have been different had I known when I was younger.

The next disappointment was that being colourblind I couldn't be a train driver either!

Good luck!

[olivermitch99]

Thanks again everyone.
What is the minimum age to apply for an EASA C1 Medical?
And also, I was looking at the sponsored schemes from CTC, BA FPP, Flybe etc. I think if I was to embark on integrated training, then that's how I would do it. However, I can't on earth think of a way to raise finances for a security bond. I've looked at unsecured loans, secured loans, everything - Can't find anything; The thing with secured loans is that I doubt I would have a property at the age when I start training (18ish)

I know it's early but...
Thanks:O:O:O

[John Farley]

May I suggest that any UK Aviation Medicine Examiner (for a modest fee) will examine you and pronounce whether you would currently pass the appropriate medical. You don't need an actual certificate but just want to rule out a permanent type problem that you might have (say colour blindness etc).

If you want to PM me I will put you in touch with the AME who does the Warton pilots.