I will do it!

[rob152]

Hello,

Just wanted to air my issues, despite them not affecting anyone else! I'm 25 yrs old, just graduated from studying a HND in Aeronautical Engineering and have longed for a career as a professional pilot all my life. I would quite frankly give absolutely anything to achieve this. After looking around and sitting the selection process for Thomas Cook/OAT, and then realising I cant afford it, Ive decided on Stapleford for the full-time modular (zero to ATPL). I have a number of financial details to sort out first so it won't be until next year. Anyway I plucked up the courage to bring this venture of mine up with my Dad. He thankfully agreed to help but understandably wanted to talk about the whole thing in more depth in the coming months. Great so maybe now I can begin to look forward to commencing my training, after all I have spent a good 20 yrs dreaming of nothing else and countless sleepless nights as all I can think about is flying!

I live with my step Dad, now I love the guy to bits and I really look up to him but there is one thing that really really infuriates me, he has this way of knocking me down a few pegs and making me feel that my dreams are never, ever going to be realised. Ok I understand the hard work involved and I appreciate what realistic chances I have in the future of succeeding in my ambition but I refuse to believe that its something that I'm too thick or just not good enough to achieve.

All I ever seem to get from him is comments trying to make me give up, go and work in a supermarket and accept that thats all I'm good enough to achieve! I am 150% determined to get to where I have always wanted to but it can be so hard to keep the dream and belief alive when you have very little support from the people you love and care for. I cant even talk to him about my flying ambition because as soon as I do he just tells me to forget it as its never going to happen.

Thats all he ever said to me throughout the duration of my engineering course and, fortunately, I managed to pass but it would be so nice to have someone Ive always looked up too to offer a bit of support.

Anyway I think Ive gone on far too much here but you never know, maybe someone else suffers the same kind of issues. If so how do you/have you excelled in hostile opinions?

Rob

[fatlazypilot]

Are you depending on him financially? If not, then this is the time to show him whats up. Sooner or later you'll find that F/O postion, if you look hard enough I guess.

[Earthmover]

It's simple ... he can't bear the thought of you acheiving more than him. Probably a complex brew of envy for your youth and ambition. Is he an insecure person? Controlling maybe? My Father was similar, but I triumphed eventually.

Keep at it and no doubt you will too. Good luck!

[rob152]

Hmmm I guess I am kind of relying on him as I live with him and my mum, a bit cheaper as Im paying family rates for rent! But thats about it. He thinks I need to stop farting around and go and work to stand on my own two feet and move out. He seems to hate the idea of anyone helping me financially to raise the amount of money required to fund the training. This is my step dad who I have lived with since I was a couple of years old. It is my real dad who is prepared to hopefully help.

Rob

[future captain]

Mate, if you are in a position to go for it, do exactly that and go for it. Your birth dad is behind you. Have you sat down with your step dad and really talked about how much it means to you, perhaps in your mums presences. Show him some leaflets from the flying schools and other material you have accumulated and show him how committed you and and this is something your serious about and not just something you just want to have a go at.

[Deano777]

Rob

Go for it mate, I think the nail was hit on the head when it was mentioned that a tad of envy could have crept in, personally I could not live like this, I have spent all my life with parents who found it very very hard to praise (no fault of theirs either, it's the way they were brought up), I would actually have to "have it out" with him, i.e. try and have a serious adult conversation as to why he is like he is with you, if you were his "real son" I wonder if he'd be the same, but hey this isn't an agony aunt column so I won't go on
Keep us informed how you go

Dean

[moku]

Rob,

When I first wanted this career many years ago it was my Dad that stood behind me all the way. It was others who said that I was dreaming and should think of "a more realistic career" (not exactly the same I know). But the point is....... I studied hard, just like you will. Eventually I proved to those that doubted me that I could make it. If you want it hard enough it will happen!!
I am now an FO flying a Jet, with several years experience behind me.

Moku.

[rob152]

Thanks guys for the encouragement, I certainly dont need any of that! Im more than determined to make it and I'll stop at nothing until I do. Its just nice to have those that are close behind you. I'm pretty sure my step dad would be very proud if I made it, I guess he's just concerned of the financial outlay and thinks I'd be better getting another "easier to achieve" job so I can finally move out and fully support myself. Well I've tried to give myself a backup plan by gaining the engineering qualification but there is no way on heaven and earth that I'd let myself get to my mid 40's and look back on my life thinking that I never really gave it a shot. My biological father is, hopefully, going to give me a good opportunity to go to stapleford and train full-time. As long as I plan and save appropriately to help I cant see any reason why I shouldn't go for it. I'm 25, I know its what I want and deep down I know I can succeed whether I have support or not.

Rob

[mcgoo]

As you say Rob he might be just concerned about the outlay against the high unemployment of pilots, he might also not be trying to get your hopes up in case you don't succeed, we have all seen those people on x-factor whose parents have told them they are the best singer on the planet only to have their hopes dashed on tv, i'm sure he will be proud when you achieve your goal, good luck!

[future captain]

You have a good attitude mate, wish you all the best! I'm currently doing my degree in computer science, and hope that once i have finished, I to will be in a position to fulfil my life long ambition. Like you said, i don't want to be in a position down the line thinking one day, what if? what if i gave it a shot?,where would i be now if i did go through with it? Life's to short for that, you have to give it a go to find out the.

All the best

[Lucifer]

Do the GAPAN aptitude tests to ensure you are spending wisely, and go for it. I doubt the man is being vindictive - though of course we don't know him - if you actually do it and are no longer dependent upon living in his house, then I am sure he will be encouraging.

Always good to take it realistically. Ensure you are prepared - have you tried a PPL yet?

[rob152]

Yeah I've done about 48 hrs but haven't flown for a little while as I have been at college and free time and spare cash was something I didn't have! I'm not sure how similar they are but I did pass the Thomas Cook/Oxford selection. I didn't progress as my HND results were not published in time so I was automatically eliminated.

[AlphaMale]

I feel as though I'm in the same position as you on this my friend. I am looking to do the APP(multi) at EFT ot the 0-fATPL at egnatia.

I have gone through university and have my BSc and have wanted to be a pilot since 5/6 years old. Most of my family (not parents) worked for BA as engineers so I was always with people who had a bit of a passion for aeroplanes and engines.

I feel I am confident / educated / old enough to come out and tell my family and girlfriend what I want from 'MY' life. Like you I don't want no 'What if's when I am 40/50 and it's too late. I printed out a load of information on the different courses I need to become a fATPL Pilot with CPL/IR/MCC and the girlfriend kept closing her eyes and sniggering at me.

I know my uncle will be supportive and I hope my parents will bo ok when I tell them. (£50,000 is a lot of dough to find wen you only take home a little over 1k a month ).

Take care buddy - I hope you prove them wrong.

Safe Landings

Andy

[richie-rich]

my exgirlfriend did the same to me Alpha. But I broke up with her and now am few days away from getting my CPL. bin her and do it. You will not atleast hear the whingers moan when they see you succeed at the end of the day. You come out as the champion eventually

Richie

[WindSheer]

Airline pilots are super heroes!!!..........

Thats the attitude of people who know nothing at all about the aviation industry. I must admit when I was around 15 years old, I felt the same and thought it was a completely un-obtainable career.
I am just about to start my training, hopefully integrated but will probably go modular due to finance!!!
I work in an airline operational role, and have had nothing but inspiration from the men in stripes for me to push forward.

May I add I am educated to GCSE level and nothing further. Upon mentioning that to one of our FO's, he commented..."mate I am thick as pig sh1t, got 2 O'levels...". He is now a captain!!

I would definately check out this site though, and sit the aptitude test. Gives you a free insight to what some of the aptitudes are like...

www.epst.com

All the best!!

[dartagnan]

and another one in the long line of unemployed pilots....

[crap pilot]

When i was younger, all i wanted to be was a pilot but my parents along with teachers and everybody that would have been able to help told me that it wasnt possible. I either needed to be very rich or a genious, and i was neither. I lost sight of my dream for a long time untill i met my wife who told me to look into it, which i did. although i am not yet i comercial pilot, i have just completed the ATPL exams and nothing will stand in my way of the dream.
My parents are now 100% behind me, as they dont see aviation the way they used to. They now know that i can do it and the best part of all is after i took them flying to show them how great it is my father has started to take flying lessons himself.

[AlphaMale]

Originally Posted by dartagnan

and another one in the long line of unemployed pilots....

This is my biggest worry ... and my girlfriends biggest worry.

Apparently there is a pilot shortage (albeit captains with 5,000+ on type). And I am wondering how many students graduate per year on a 0-fATPL course per year (Integrated & Modular)?

I am sure the big flight schools are throwing out 50 per year alone, so maybe 200-250 graduate from OAT / Cabair / CTC / Jerez / EFT. Are there really 250 jobs per year for young, fresh pilots with a little over 250 hours on the log book? ... I wouldn't imagine so .

I'd quite happily be a FI, But deep down I'd still wonder 'what if'. Still spending £50k to become a flying instructor is a bit exccesive IMHO.

At a guess could somebody tell me how many forum users here are fully qualified and still haven't found a job after 12 months of trying?

Thanks

Andrew

[captainyonder]

As long as you work your socks off both while training and whilst looking for a job you'll be fine. Too many people think they can just send off 20 CVs and one of them will come back with a lovely letter saying 'please sir, come and work for us for lots of cash and minimal effort'. The truth of the matter is, it doesn't happen.

Networking is the key, get to know as many aviation people as you can and although it will probably still take a while, you'll land that job eventually.

[CPL_Ace]

How about taking your step-dad up in a single engine for an hour, give him a steep turn, and a scenic tour followed by a rejoin at a large airfield with approach/tower/ground calls and all that stuff that outsiders think is really cool and professional - many people are unconvinced until they can visualise you doing something........

And there's nothing like thousands of pounds of someone elses investment to motivate you to put the work in!!