wannabe

[russelldav]

maybe its jsut my bad luck, but i seem to have major decision-type parts of my life mucked up by major social events/ new legislation or terrorists.

im studying for my a-levels at the moment, and would really like to become a commercial pilot. i got a good set of gcses (10 of em) and have taken 5 as levels, continuing 4 onto a-level.

i've been reading through the literature on the BA website (which may or may not be up-to-date as it seems to conflict with some recent posts on the forums) and was thinking of applying for their sponsorship training deal instead of going to uni (mainly because i dont fancy going to uni for 4 years only to (apparantly) srtand the same chance of entry to BA 4 years down the line.

though, reading some of the stuff on the forums a degree to fall back on seems to make sense, particularly if the chances of realistically gaining sponsorship are minimal until way after 2004.

i was just wondering if anyone could give me any advice whatsoever. im only aware of BA training young ppl to become pilots, and since i have a very limited experience of flight before now (apart from several one-off lessons in a cessna) direct entry is obviously not an option.

thanks

[liquidhockey]

As you are aware, if you are taken onto the BA sponsorship scheme then you are VERY lucky indeed. Therefore have you considered self funding your training?
It may seem too much money to generate at first glance but if you REALLY want to become a commercial pilot you will find th money somehow.

Cheers
Dave

P.S do a search on the net for commercial pilot training at flight schools such as multiflight and oxford aviation.

[MikeSamuel]

Remember there are thousands of others in your position. Work HARD this year. BA aren't taking cadets now, but they may be by the time you leave school/college. I don't think anyone honestly knows exactly when. Apply for Uni this winter, it will leave you with all options open, and it only costs like £15. Remember that those lessons you've had already are loggable towards your PPL, and if you can, it may be a good idea to get some more hours under your belt. In my view, degrees and flying are not mutually exclusive. I have no plans to stop flying when at Uni, and UAS and normal flying clubs would be an option for you if you were at Uni, but wanted to fly. Consider a gap year. You're going to be in some job or other for the next thirty something years, so it might be an idea to enjoy being unattached for a little while longer. Good luck.

Forgot to add. British Airways are not the only company in the world. Many other airlines have been known to or are sponsoring after 9/11.