Any One Know About Sponsorship?
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Any One Know About Sponsorship?
Hi there! The world of flying is a great place, one that I personally want to join, but to become a pilot you have to be loaded!!! Being at school offers you little chance to make any money, which we all know you need to learn to fly! Personally in the future I want to be a commercial pilot and there is no way on this planet that I can afford to do that. the first stages for me would be to get a ppl and start to get some hours on my clock which is what I seem to be forever saving for, birthday after birthday and recently I managed to save enough for a trial flight at Cumbernauld airport with Cumbernauld flying school and this gave me a desperate need to continue but I have run out of money, as we finished the flight and we were walking back towards the airport cafe my instructor (Martin Gabbar) directed me to this forum and said that I may be able to get a sponsorship. Fortunately I live under the Glasgow airport flight path and every time I see an aircraft fly over-head I have to stop and look because it makes life worth living! I was wondering if there was anyone out there who is able to tell me how best to get a sponsor or one better and offer me a sponsor to let me finally after years of looking to the sky, let me go up and join the spectacular world of aviation!!!
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Hi thanks for your help, and sorry about the delay in replying as my internet connection has been to France and back! (or so to speak). About the military career, in the past i have thought about it but never really liked the idea of being strapped to a rocket pulling 9G's at 36000ft, i think i would prefer a life of luxary (or how ever you spell it???) in a flight deck of an airliner! i will follow up all your leeds with alot of anticipation but i think i will have to concentrate on my studies at the moment..... 
thank you very much and wish me luck!
thank you very much and wish me luck!
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but never really liked the idea of being strapped to a rocket pulling 9G's at 36000ft,
i think i would prefer a life of luxary (or how ever you spell it???) in a flight deck of an airliner!
Have a look round these forums. Very few people are getting jobs, and those that do certainly aren't living a life of luxury. I'm just saying it so you are aware what you're getting into. It's tough.
You are starting off well, saving up for lessons. As you know, it is an expensive game. You don't say your age so I'll guess mid teens. If so, look at the air cadets. You can then apply for a flying scholarship, do a good bit of gliding and gain an insight into the air force. You may even find the idea of being in the air force appealing.
Plenty of air cadet places round glasgow. I was in one for years when I was young, and had some crachking experiences through it.
Good luck
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Hi Mike!
It is funny when you talk about the 150 having lots of leg room and cabin service etc because I have been up in a 150 in cumbernauld. it was a trial lesson that I got for my birthday! Which has yet made me more determined! And good guess about the age (16) so nearly there. I am still interested to find out about your company "down under" I think it would be good fun to learn in a climate that doesnt freeze in summer! I would like you to send me information so I can get a plan set up. The air cadets are a good idea but I dont want to go into military service!
P.S when I talk about luxary airlines, its a comparison to a tornado jet!!!!! (with no leg room and no cabin service, well not yet any way!)
I am aware the 'fun' people have getting a job but I am so determined, nothing will get in my way!
Thanks again,
Stu!
It is funny when you talk about the 150 having lots of leg room and cabin service etc because I have been up in a 150 in cumbernauld. it was a trial lesson that I got for my birthday! Which has yet made me more determined! And good guess about the age (16) so nearly there. I am still interested to find out about your company "down under" I think it would be good fun to learn in a climate that doesnt freeze in summer! I would like you to send me information so I can get a plan set up. The air cadets are a good idea but I dont want to go into military service!
P.S when I talk about luxary airlines, its a comparison to a tornado jet!!!!! (with no leg room and no cabin service, well not yet any way!)
I am aware the 'fun' people have getting a job but I am so determined, nothing will get in my way!
Thanks again,
Stu!
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Mad Mothie,
the sad fact is that there are very, very few sponsorships available to wannabees post 9-11 thanks to those leeches* more commonly known as airline accountants. To make matters worse, you then encounter the ironic situation that of the few positions available most if not all will go to individuals who have gone to private schools, which will have assisted these individuals in attaining the necessary skills and qualifications to obtain highly paid employment allowing them to self-finance, or whose parents are willing and able to pay for the ATPL course. The result of which is that individuals whose only access to a career in flying is dependent on sponsorship are denied it by those who are in a position to self-finance it or have it bought for them. Until sponsorships are means tested this situation will remain.
But, hey, life's a bitch, you just have to make the most of it. After bursting your bubble I'll now try to re-inflate it. If you are an intellectual genius, with a great personality and fantastic work ethic, then you have got as much chance, if not more, of succeeding in a sponsorship evaluation as a silver-spoon-in-the-mouth type. If not, then all is not lost. There is always a chance that you may come into money - whether that be through individual effort or the National Lottery. 'Anything' is possible - you just have to assist 'Anything' with belief in yourself and a drive to get into the sky: take myself, for example, I was brought up by a lone parent in a rough part of Glasgow but it has always been my dream to fly. Now aged 30+ I find myself at what is the most expensive ATPL school in the UK ( surrounded by lots of young ones, all pretending they've got huge loans - "YEAH, RIGHT" ) and doing my best to live the dream. Sure, I'm older than the airlines' ideal profile but this being the only way I could have achieved it, they are just going to have to lump it. I'll be banging on each and every one of their doors until a door is opened....then I'll be in.
So, in essence, don't put too much hope on the sponsorship route, unless you really are VERY good, and don't look upon it as the be all and end all. There is more than one path into the cockpit but inevitably they will all require a large sum of money. If you are still at school, study hard and get good grades, then try to get a well paid job, unless you choose the university path ( the merits of both can be researched on this site), or even start your own business. If you have to then arrange a loan. It's a hell of an expensive game to get into, so go have a sit down in a dark room, go through all the worst case scenarios and ask yourself " is it really worth it ? ". I think it is.
Good Luck!
* my apologies to real leeches (hirudinea)
the sad fact is that there are very, very few sponsorships available to wannabees post 9-11 thanks to those leeches* more commonly known as airline accountants. To make matters worse, you then encounter the ironic situation that of the few positions available most if not all will go to individuals who have gone to private schools, which will have assisted these individuals in attaining the necessary skills and qualifications to obtain highly paid employment allowing them to self-finance, or whose parents are willing and able to pay for the ATPL course. The result of which is that individuals whose only access to a career in flying is dependent on sponsorship are denied it by those who are in a position to self-finance it or have it bought for them. Until sponsorships are means tested this situation will remain.
But, hey, life's a bitch, you just have to make the most of it. After bursting your bubble I'll now try to re-inflate it. If you are an intellectual genius, with a great personality and fantastic work ethic, then you have got as much chance, if not more, of succeeding in a sponsorship evaluation as a silver-spoon-in-the-mouth type. If not, then all is not lost. There is always a chance that you may come into money - whether that be through individual effort or the National Lottery. 'Anything' is possible - you just have to assist 'Anything' with belief in yourself and a drive to get into the sky: take myself, for example, I was brought up by a lone parent in a rough part of Glasgow but it has always been my dream to fly. Now aged 30+ I find myself at what is the most expensive ATPL school in the UK ( surrounded by lots of young ones, all pretending they've got huge loans - "YEAH, RIGHT" ) and doing my best to live the dream. Sure, I'm older than the airlines' ideal profile but this being the only way I could have achieved it, they are just going to have to lump it. I'll be banging on each and every one of their doors until a door is opened....then I'll be in.
So, in essence, don't put too much hope on the sponsorship route, unless you really are VERY good, and don't look upon it as the be all and end all. There is more than one path into the cockpit but inevitably they will all require a large sum of money. If you are still at school, study hard and get good grades, then try to get a well paid job, unless you choose the university path ( the merits of both can be researched on this site), or even start your own business. If you have to then arrange a loan. It's a hell of an expensive game to get into, so go have a sit down in a dark room, go through all the worst case scenarios and ask yourself " is it really worth it ? ". I think it is.
Good Luck!
* my apologies to real leeches (hirudinea)
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thanks very much, im with you on this yes it is very hard and it does take alot of work but it is worth it. 
i think it will be a good idea to start playing the lottery! i do want to get into the skies and i will stop at nothing to get there, even if it does mean taking out a 60k loan and living with my parents until i am 50! but as you said it is worth it!
wish me luck
Stu!
i think it will be a good idea to start playing the lottery! i do want to get into the skies and i will stop at nothing to get there, even if it does mean taking out a 60k loan and living with my parents until i am 50! but as you said it is worth it!wish me luck
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You are young and I admire your drive at your age. As said a few times already there are very few or none worthwhile sponsership opportunites. However I recommend completing an aviation related higher education, or maybe a business degree before diving in. The aviation world rises and falls like the economic cycle. You need a contingency plan, if you complete your pilot training at the wrong time, your out of work. Few employers will take on a qualified pilot into any non aviation related job as they will fear them leaving at the first opportunity.
The modular route is popular if you do not have your parents property to secure a loan on, but prepare to do 60+ hour weeks to pay for it! I have completed my PPL during my final year at university, as well as my study I had 3 part time jobs, clocking over 30 hours a week in work to pay for it. Luckily for me I have proved to my parents my dedication to the task of becoming a commercial pilot and they have agreed to secure a loan for the rest of my training on their house. If they had not, I would continue with 3+ jobs through the rest of my training!
Best of luck, their's no rush at your age, have a contingency plan, and be prepared to work bloody hard all the way!
The modular route is popular if you do not have your parents property to secure a loan on, but prepare to do 60+ hour weeks to pay for it! I have completed my PPL during my final year at university, as well as my study I had 3 part time jobs, clocking over 30 hours a week in work to pay for it. Luckily for me I have proved to my parents my dedication to the task of becoming a commercial pilot and they have agreed to secure a loan for the rest of my training on their house. If they had not, I would continue with 3+ jobs through the rest of my training!
Best of luck, their's no rush at your age, have a contingency plan, and be prepared to work bloody hard all the way!
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Thanks!
I do know about contingency plans and surprisingly I do have one, as I go sailing alot I have many qualifications in the field! and also working for a powerboat company gives me the chance to do even more trraining and in a year or so I am planning to do my commertial endorsement, which means I can take fee paying passengers out. This qualification means alot as not many people have it and alot of companies need drivers so thats my contingency plan if i get hit by a bus tomorrow and seem unable to fly!
Also I am prepared to work 60 hour weeks, I know it sounds really bad but as I've said before nothing will get in my way!
I do know about contingency plans and surprisingly I do have one, as I go sailing alot I have many qualifications in the field! and also working for a powerboat company gives me the chance to do even more trraining and in a year or so I am planning to do my commertial endorsement, which means I can take fee paying passengers out. This qualification means alot as not many people have it and alot of companies need drivers so thats my contingency plan if i get hit by a bus tomorrow and seem unable to fly!
Also I am prepared to work 60 hour weeks, I know it sounds really bad but as I've said before nothing will get in my way!
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Mothie I think you need to do a little bit of study about our lifestyle before you commit to it. A couple of things you've said suggest to me that you have a very rose-tinted and uninformed impression of what we do. Let me assure you it is not universally 'great', nor is it 'a life of luxury'. It is a difficult job which can require great self-sacrifice, discomfort, even poverty in the early years.
Have a look at the top of the Wannabes - Professional Pilot Training Forum. There is a 'sticky' topic called 'Read before you ask a question'. In there are links to many topics which will open your eyes about the job, and the training required to get there.
Here's the link.
Scroggs
Have a look at the top of the Wannabes - Professional Pilot Training Forum. There is a 'sticky' topic called 'Read before you ask a question'. In there are links to many topics which will open your eyes about the job, and the training required to get there.
Here's the link.
Scroggs
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Hi there!
I get where you are coming from, I am aware that flying is very difficult to get into but as you can see I will stop at nothing!
even if it does mean poverty! and living with my parents when im 30!
but I have to ask you a question... is it worth it
of course it is!
thanks again
Stu!
I get where you are coming from, I am aware that flying is very difficult to get into but as you can see I will stop at nothing!
even if it does mean poverty! and living with my parents when im 30!
but I have to ask you a question... is it worth it
of course it is!
thanks again
Stu!
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by Mothie
but I have to ask you a question... is it worth it
of course it is!
but I have to ask you a question... is it worth it
of course it is!
For a start, whose money are you going to use to follow this dream, and how and when are you going to pay it back?
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Mothie,
No one blames you for being bushy-tailed about the whole fATPL thing but you just sound soooo naive.
The reality is somewhat different - Im 30, temporarily living with parents (hopefully) after leaving a good job to persue the long-held ATPL ambition. I own a house but have rented it out as I cannot afford to pay the bills right now because no-one will employ me!! And I mean no-one!! The year I spent training looks bad on the cv i guess!
My family and friends admire me for going for it and I know they're all proud of me but that doesnt change the fact that Im sat at home with a little blue book and no money.
Im lucky that, being a bit older, I don't have a huge debt to pay off at the moment - at your age I can only assume you will have to borrow the necessary. Have you read www.ppjn.com? - the starting salaries won't allow you to lead much of a life while you repay your debts - being able to afford a place to live may be a push!
Have a back-up. Read everything there is to read on Pprune.
Not really trying to discourage you, maybe if I'd had your apparent drive at your age I would have gotten here sooner, but I'd also have a massive debt instead of just some!
(Ps. I too had a trial lesson at Cumbernauld many moons ago - there are bad pictures to prove it - and even had the chance of sponsorship with BA and British Midland but after failing to make it all the way I allowed myself to be discouraged)
Just listen to people and take off the rose-tinted glasses
Good Luck to all of us!
No one blames you for being bushy-tailed about the whole fATPL thing but you just sound soooo naive.
even if it does mean poverty! and living with my parents when im 30!
My family and friends admire me for going for it and I know they're all proud of me but that doesnt change the fact that Im sat at home with a little blue book and no money.
Im lucky that, being a bit older, I don't have a huge debt to pay off at the moment - at your age I can only assume you will have to borrow the necessary. Have you read www.ppjn.com? - the starting salaries won't allow you to lead much of a life while you repay your debts - being able to afford a place to live may be a push!
Have a back-up. Read everything there is to read on Pprune.
Not really trying to discourage you, maybe if I'd had your apparent drive at your age I would have gotten here sooner, but I'd also have a massive debt instead of just some!
(Ps. I too had a trial lesson at Cumbernauld many moons ago - there are bad pictures to prove it - and even had the chance of sponsorship with BA and British Midland but after failing to make it all the way I allowed myself to be discouraged)
Just listen to people and take off the rose-tinted glasses
Good Luck to all of us!
Last edited by Lolo737; 25th May 2005 at 15:34.
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Mothie,
Can 100% confirm the poverty thing!!!!! And I have a job....
Reaserch, research, research.....remove the rose tinted spectacles and be very careful!
And as your in Glasgow, take a look out the window right now!!!
Ain't nothin luxurious about making an approach in that lot!!!!
Can 100% confirm the poverty thing!!!!! And I have a job....
Reaserch, research, research.....remove the rose tinted spectacles and be very careful!
And as your in Glasgow, take a look out the window right now!!!
Ain't nothin luxurious about making an approach in that lot!!!!
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would be look on those guys faces! lolit is hard and it does mean ALOT of sacrifices but it is the job that i want to do, and it is what im going to do no matter what, once you have the dream about becoming a pilot and you get bitten by the flying bug, you become determined like myself...
thanks for your time
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of the few positions available most if not all will go to individuals who have gone to private schools, which will have assisted these individuals in attaining the necessary skills and qualifications to obtain highly paid employment allowing them to self-finance
I worked as ground staff for 6 months before moving on to another airline to fly as Cabin Crew. During all of this I had no idea where I was going or if this was going to help me at all, all I knew was that if I was going to be employed anywhere, being in the industry was the best place to be.
To cut a long story short, after 2 years of working in the cabin (with some fantastic crew) I got very lucky - the company wanted to promote from within and began looking for some staff members to train to fly for them (the training still being financed by the successful applicant with the loan secured on the company). They DIDN'T put a stipulation upon qualifications, it was just a requirement for 5 A-C GCSEs. The selection process was tough, but I've been told that so long as candidates had the aptitude for the course, they just wanted to see people that had ambition and personality. It's for others who know me to decide if that's me or not, either way I was fortunate enough to be chosen to come to Jerez for the ATPL course. I was going through selection with some outstanding colleagues who wanted this just as much as me, getting the position made the whole thing one of the most humbling experiences of my life.
I'm not trying to suggest this sort of thing is widespread, it's not. As everybody has said before, the road into aviation is a long and tough one and I've been phenomenally lucky to be in the right place at the right time. My ambitions could have become a disaster as a result of my sheer laziness/stupidity during my A-Levels, but I got away with it.
I've not written this to show off, I'm so so aware that there are so many fantastic people out there who already have licences and can't get a job - I just felt that there is so much said about bad luck and timing that I wanted to give people a boost, to show it can be done against all the odds. However, the sort of opportunity that I've somehow inexplicably walked into isn't a common thing and I wouldn't want to boost your hopes/confidence unfairly. The key is being realistic but the reality is that no matter how tough it is to get in, it DOES happen...
People have said before that you need to do more research, to look more deeply into the career you want to do for the rest of your working life - I couldn't agree more... you need to go into this armed with all the facts available to you, look at the fact that somedays you will have to get up at 3am and still not be home in time for dinner, you will lose your weekends and there will be times when you want to go out for a beer but can't as you're flying the next day. These are extremely trivial points (and by no means constitute the only compromises you will have to make) but they take away a certain amount of the 'luxury' aspect. However in spite of the not so luxurious parts of the job, I still wouldn't want to do anything else.
Finally, Good Luck to anybody who is trying to find that first job or find a way into the industry like mad_mothie, I know how tough it is and how heartbreaking it is when you wonder if it will ever happen for you but just keep dreaming of the day when it does.
I'll take my pep talk cliches elsewhere now! Safe flying all,
FJ2k
* As an afterthought, I'm not advocating going about things the way I did!! Qualifications really do matter and will open doors for you that were closed to me. Study hard and get good grades, it will make things a little easier!! Good Luck
Last edited by fastjet2k; 25th May 2005 at 23:40.
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hi there,
thank you for telling me your story into aviation, i always like to hear about peoples experiences and how they did it but one thing i am noticing is that none of them are the same. i think the key into aviation is that you have to make up your own strategy, because it seems that every one that is a pilot has done it not by copying some one else but making their own rules, and once you can do that well...
personally i dont think i am going to have the same problem at highers at what you did, i am t-total, totally against alcohol, it can be very dangerous, as i work for a powerboat company at present and any loss of reaction time is fatal. also i dont think ill have the problem with the lassies either, not that im that way inclined but as your well aware, you have to prioritise (or how ever you spell it!)
thanks alot for your time, its been a pleasure to hear from you
Stu!
thank you for telling me your story into aviation, i always like to hear about peoples experiences and how they did it but one thing i am noticing is that none of them are the same. i think the key into aviation is that you have to make up your own strategy, because it seems that every one that is a pilot has done it not by copying some one else but making their own rules, and once you can do that well...
personally i dont think i am going to have the same problem at highers at what you did, i am t-total, totally against alcohol, it can be very dangerous, as i work for a powerboat company at present and any loss of reaction time is fatal. also i dont think ill have the problem with the lassies either, not that im that way inclined but as your well aware, you have to prioritise (or how ever you spell it!)
thanks alot for your time, its been a pleasure to hear from you
Stu!
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I don't want you to think that I stopped going out for drinks and chasing women after my A-Levels, I simply learned to fit it in around chasing my career!! Do note though that my history is just an example of ways in which you can cock things up, it could be done any number of ways including something as simple as spending too much time driving powerboats........
I admire your determination to succeed and your willingness to prioritise, however do allow yourself time for social and time to do things outside of chasing your career. As you have said, you need to prioritise but I feel it's very important to enjoy a life away from aviation as long as it doesn't negatively affect your career prospects. Don't burn out too young, you won't thank yourself for it later!!
Just my humble opinion however... Cheers!
*By the way, you say alcohol can be dangerous... I'd agree, but so can flying if you're stressed because you didn't chill out with the one beer you fancied the night before
I admire your determination to succeed and your willingness to prioritise, however do allow yourself time for social and time to do things outside of chasing your career. As you have said, you need to prioritise but I feel it's very important to enjoy a life away from aviation as long as it doesn't negatively affect your career prospects. Don't burn out too young, you won't thank yourself for it later!!
Just my humble opinion however... Cheers!
*By the way, you say alcohol can be dangerous... I'd agree, but so can flying if you're stressed because you didn't chill out with the one beer you fancied the night before
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fastjet2k,
thank you for your encouraging story, it was nice to read about someone else whose path into ATPL world was of the non-standard type. As for cocking up the A-levels - you couldn't have chosen 2 finer ways of doing so, so congratulations in that respect.
I sure wish I was in your enviable position of having a seat awaiting on successful completion of your ATPLs. This allows you to forget about the stresses and strains of trying to get that first job and be able to concentrate fully on your studies, albeit you thoroughly deserve this having passed the rigorous selection process.
Hope the studying is going well and that your sangria isn't too strong.
VC10 Rib22
thank you for your encouraging story, it was nice to read about someone else whose path into ATPL world was of the non-standard type. As for cocking up the A-levels - you couldn't have chosen 2 finer ways of doing so, so congratulations in that respect.
I sure wish I was in your enviable position of having a seat awaiting on successful completion of your ATPLs. This allows you to forget about the stresses and strains of trying to get that first job and be able to concentrate fully on your studies, albeit you thoroughly deserve this having passed the rigorous selection process.
Hope the studying is going well and that your sangria isn't too strong.
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The Sangria isn't too strong... However I've lodged a complaint about it and it's going to be strengthened
With regards to my A-Levels, I no longer look back on that period of my life with regret... I didn't really doing anything too wrong, I just enjoyed myself slightly more than I should have done!!
Good luck also to yourself at Oxford! May the beer be cold, the women pretty and the aircraft fully fuelled
Cheers!
With regards to my A-Levels, I no longer look back on that period of my life with regret... I didn't really doing anything too wrong, I just enjoyed myself slightly more than I should have done!!
Good luck also to yourself at Oxford! May the beer be cold, the women pretty and the aircraft fully fuelled
Cheers!
