TCX Sponsorship
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It's got nothing to do with flying, but with getting through the ATPL ground studies. It is easier to teach people some subjects at ATPL if you have Physics at A-level.
Personally I think it is a reflection on the schools ability rather than the airline. Cabair only took Aero Engineering degree folks for their sponsored courses in the past.
Personally I think it is a reflection on the schools ability rather than the airline. Cabair only took Aero Engineering degree folks for their sponsored courses in the past.
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If they are offering sponsorships and putting their money on the table they can of course ask for anything they like. Years ago when British Airways and its forebears offered sponsorships through Hamble they still insisted on Physics and Maths as prime subjects. Both of these subjects had a high relevance to the subsequent training courses. By raising the bar you simply cut down on the number of applicants who are eligible for interview. Those that do qualify will also likely prove to be good pilots and safety minded.
A point to consider is that a driver who has recently passed their test may well consider themselves to be "good" and "safe". In reality they are very inexperienced and would be wise to keep learning rather than offering such self proclamations. Somebody with the wit and foresight to aquire the right set of educational credentials, is not by and large likely to be any less of a pilot or lacking in aptitude, so the sponsoring airline loses nothing by setting its standards at a level of its choosing.
Having said that, there are many ways to skin to a cat. For all the doors that are closed, there are other avenues that can be pusued. It just takes effort and determination and the early realisation that the world owes you little and certainly not a living.
A point to consider is that a driver who has recently passed their test may well consider themselves to be "good" and "safe". In reality they are very inexperienced and would be wise to keep learning rather than offering such self proclamations. Somebody with the wit and foresight to aquire the right set of educational credentials, is not by and large likely to be any less of a pilot or lacking in aptitude, so the sponsoring airline loses nothing by setting its standards at a level of its choosing.
Having said that, there are many ways to skin to a cat. For all the doors that are closed, there are other avenues that can be pusued. It just takes effort and determination and the early realisation that the world owes you little and certainly not a living.
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I'm not having a prod at you, just asking a question, but when you were ready to proceed on to 6th Form or College, didn't anyone mention to you that Maths and Physics A'Levels were essential for a career as an Airline Pilot?
It's a bit of an odd limiting factor really, and often I wonder if the HR people who read the applications have any idea on qualifications other than A-Levels. My second degree involved a mix of flt ops and aerodynamics (so rather applied maths and physics), but alas the HR lady claimed, that despite these aerodynamics qualifications I did not meet the A-level requirements!
But don't be conned into thinking that you can't gain an ATPL based on the requirements stated in a sponsorship advert!
GQ
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Given the rarity of these sponsorships I think you have to accept TCA/XLA can place all kinds of limits and still come out with a high number of candidates who exceed their requirements - and who ultimately go on to win a place on the scheme.
If they didn't set some kind of limit then they would quite simply be inundated with applications, and ultimately all there would be to choose between two top-class candidates might be their grades, in which case the one with A-level s would surely win anyway.
That aside, every other sponsorship seems to have an age limit which those of us over the age of 26 just have to put up with. To me, this is rough going, but the sponsoring airline is quite entitled to do so. In this case the limiting factor is A-level results instead of age. If you don't qualify with the A-level grades there are other schemes out there.
If they didn't set some kind of limit then they would quite simply be inundated with applications, and ultimately all there would be to choose between two top-class candidates might be their grades, in which case the one with A-level s would surely win anyway.
That aside, every other sponsorship seems to have an age limit which those of us over the age of 26 just have to put up with. To me, this is rough going, but the sponsoring airline is quite entitled to do so. In this case the limiting factor is A-level results instead of age. If you don't qualify with the A-level grades there are other schemes out there.
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I'm not having a prod at you, just asking a question, but when you were ready to proceed on to 6th Form or College, didn't anyone mention to you that Maths and Physics A'Levels were essential for a career as an Airline Pilot?
If you have educational qualifications at a higher level than those demanded by these airlines, apply anyway. What have you got to lose? A stamp? If these airlines stick with this policy rigidly they're being somewhat foolish, but you unfortunately have to accept that they have the right to make any specifications they want. Most are not so short-sighted!
You'd be surprised how many pilots there are in 747s and A340s who haven't even got maths GCSE!
Scroggs
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I agree that these A levels are not essential to pass the ATPL ground studies. There are many aspects of A level Maths and Physics courses that will most probably never be needed when studying for the ATPL ground exams.
However some of the knowledge will be required, such as the gas laws and electromagnetic induction etc. So while the knowledge from a complete Physics A level isn't required, I'd say knowledge over and above GCSE level is definately a good advantage and making these requirements is just Excels way of ensuring that all applicants will have the required knowledge.
I've known I wanted a career in flying from a young age, and everyone I spoke to told me to do Maths and Physics A levels, so thats what I did.
However some of the knowledge will be required, such as the gas laws and electromagnetic induction etc. So while the knowledge from a complete Physics A level isn't required, I'd say knowledge over and above GCSE level is definately a good advantage and making these requirements is just Excels way of ensuring that all applicants will have the required knowledge.
I've known I wanted a career in flying from a young age, and everyone I spoke to told me to do Maths and Physics A levels, so thats what I did.
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However some of the knowledge will be required, such as the gas laws and electromagnetic induction etc. So while the knowledge from a complete Physics A level isn't required, I'd say knowledge over and above GCSE level is definately a good advantage and making these requirements is just Excels way of ensuring that all applicants will have the required knowledge.
I spent the first 22 years of my flying career in the RAF, including many years as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI). The RAF requires a far more detailed knowledge of basic ground subjects than any airline employer I know of, yet it still asks for maths and a science only at GCSE level. Many - probably most - of my pilot colleagues both in Virgin and the RAF do not have science or maths beyond that level and have never been at any disadvantage.
There is nothing to justify Excel's demand for maths and physics at A-level other than the prejudices of their recruiting/HR department.
Scroggs
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Ok. I only said that knowledge over and above GCSE level would be an advantage, not essential, and even then not a complete A level course.
Science and Maths A level courses vary between exam boards so two students with these A levels may have studied slightly different things. So I always thought that the requirement for A levels was just to show that we are able to learn a given subject, not that we have any specific knowledge of it, this goes for university entry requirements aswell.
So assuming that A levels aren't really required then whats the reasoning behind Excel making them entry equirements? I know most sponsorships over the years required A levels, but they weren't so specific.
Science and Maths A level courses vary between exam boards so two students with these A levels may have studied slightly different things. So I always thought that the requirement for A levels was just to show that we are able to learn a given subject, not that we have any specific knowledge of it, this goes for university entry requirements aswell.
So assuming that A levels aren't really required then whats the reasoning behind Excel making them entry equirements? I know most sponsorships over the years required A levels, but they weren't so specific.
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I think I've explained the muddled thinking behind Excel's demand for Maths and Physics A-levels in an earlier post; in essence it's a misunderstanding by HR people of the demands of the job. However, Excel are free to make whatever demands of you they wish. You aren't compelled to apply! I suspect that they may be a little flexible about this for those who have a degree, but that rather depends on the pragmatism of those who do the initial filtering of applicants.
All jobs requiring passes at particular exam grades are looking for little more than confirmation that you are capable of study and knowledge assimilation at a given level. Only a few jobs require professionally-related qualifications prior to professional training, and flying isn't one of them. Even Geography or History graduates can fly!
Scroggs
All jobs requiring passes at particular exam grades are looking for little more than confirmation that you are capable of study and knowledge assimilation at a given level. Only a few jobs require professionally-related qualifications prior to professional training, and flying isn't one of them. Even Geography or History graduates can fly!
Scroggs
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hey there!
who of the final 12 got into the scheme and what were the T&C's regarding the financing through HSBC and with Thomas Cook at the end of the course?
kempus
who of the final 12 got into the scheme and what were the T&C's regarding the financing through HSBC and with Thomas Cook at the end of the course?
kempus
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Is there anyone like me that performs really cr*p
E.G. At work in retail when the managers watching i talk to passengers less and more quieter and then when the manger has gone i go back to confident and talkative.
That's why i don't think i'd do well in assessments as my cabin crew one's have proven.
so i hope that i can becom a pilot on my own by going to training schools that will accept anybody, although it wouldnt be this countrie because of prices and i will have to save up for year's anyway.
E.G. At work in retail when the managers watching i talk to passengers less and more quieter and then when the manger has gone i go back to confident and talkative.
That's why i don't think i'd do well in assessments as my cabin crew one's have proven.
so i hope that i can becom a pilot on my own by going to training schools that will accept anybody, although it wouldnt be this countrie because of prices and i will have to save up for year's anyway.
