View Full Version : Gaining knowedge of the airline industry
Lobster37
15th May 2018, 14:10
Hello. I'm an aspiring pilot living in England and over the last week have started looking into different flight schools and their selection processes. I understand it helps to have a good awareness of the current news of the airline industry. Has anyone got any tips or resources they'd like to share for how to get 'into' the airline industry. I've done some research but have struggled to find too much information.
Thanks in advance!
flyingmed
16th May 2018, 13:02
Go with a reputable flight school even if it costs you a bit more money. Plenty of sharks out there and what starts off cheaper can end up more expensive! If you can manage it try to do an integrated course, it is more beneficial in my opinion however both modular and integrated have both proven successful, it really depends on you personally and how motivated you are. A few flight training schools that I keep hearing good stories about are FTE Jerez, Oxford/CAE and AFTA. All 3 of those schools have a proven track records of getting graduates into various airlines. Good luck!
FTE Jerez (http://www.ftejerez.com/)
AFTA Atlantic Flight Training Academy (https://afta.ie/)
Oxford / CAE (https://www.cae.com/civil-aviation/aviation-professionals/become-a-pilot/)
SeventhHeaven
16th May 2018, 13:17
OR, alternatively, you look at more affordable schools that offer training for half the cost, and will get you exactly the same job at RYR, Flybe, Aer Lingus, Jet2 etc.
I went to Stapleford Flight Centre and everybody I met there has an airline job now, without breaking the bank.
I think It's ridiculous to spend twice the money for the same license, skillset and ultimately, job.
flyingmed
16th May 2018, 13:32
That's all well and good, just be sure the school has a good success rate. Be aware of schools down in Greece and Spain offering budget training.
Lobster37
17th May 2018, 12:01
Yes I've heard a lot about CAE. Haven't heard much about FTE or AFTA so thanks for the recommendations and I will look more into them today. Do you also have any tips on how to acquire a greater knowledge of the airline industry? Any particularly good news websites I don't know about for example?
flyingmed
23rd May 2018, 02:16
Yes I've heard a lot about CAE. Haven't heard much about FTE or AFTA so thanks for the recommendations and I will look more into them today. Do you also have any tips on how to acquire a greater knowledge of the airline industry? Any particularly good news websites I don't know about for example?
www.pilotcareercenter.com is good for news around the world. Www.latestpilotjobs.com is probably the best free job listing & job preperation website in my opinion.
I recommend going to a Pilot Careers Live event (https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/) as a couple of ATOs and airlines attend the event in which you can ask them many questions about the industry.
Another Biggles
23rd May 2018, 13:54
Hi Lobster37,
I'd recommend something of a compromise between what flyingmed and SeventhHeaven said. If I had my time again, I'd initially have looked at integrated schools that offered "tagged" schemes with an airline, the idea being that you have a conditional offer from the airline pending completion of your training to a satisfactory level. That would help to justify the huge sums that bigger, integrated schools charge.
Depending on how old you are, life experience, etc, I'd also have a look at gaining experience in the industry. If you choose to go the modular route, you can build up some experience in entry-level aviation support roles like ramp agent (baggage handler), PSA or flight dispatcher, and work your way up from there (or if you prefer to work in the office, look up operations assistant jobs - the pay will be low and the hours long, but they are great ways to enter the industry). I currently work in Crewiing, and wish I'd started my career inside aviation. It gives the chance to build up a useful network of contacts, and I know a number of pilots who now have jobs as a direct result of working in airline operations departments. Alternatively, if you have a degree, look at some of the larger airlines (easy, Virgin, BA), as they have graduate schemes now that allow you to enter at junior management level.
Aviation Jobs Aviation Job Search (http://www.aviationjobsearch.com) I've found useful for looking for entry-level jobs in the past, and https://www.flightdeckfriend.com is a good resource for anyone aspiring to make it in this career.
Finally, if you haven't done so already, I'd do these three things:
1. Get a Class I Medical - if you can't pass it, then you may not be able to become a pilot (or at least, there will be some serious hurdles to jump over first)
2. Sit an Aptitude Test - https://www.airpilots.org/career-matters/careers-information/aptitude-tests/ have a good test (among some really useful info). Even if you fail the test, you will know what you need to work on, what your strengths and weaknesses are, etc
3. Have a trial lesson in a light aircraft - this will let you experience the pure joy of flight (or let you know if it's not what you want after all)
I wish I'd had a mentor when I started out who could guide me in the right direction. Get a mentor if you can... and good luck! :)