Seriously considering a career change to flying.
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Seriously considering a career change to flying.
I am currently a fully qualified Carpenter 20 years old and do enjoy my job, but just can't see myself doing it for another 40 years. I have been doing alot of flying recently and it has got me thinking about becoming a pilot.
I am a determined person and do follow my dreams, i'd need to take some more GCSE's and get A levels in Maths and Physics i have found out, but there are evening courses i could do alongside my Carpentry job then once i have the nesessary grades start a sponsored training program if i could find one like the CTC Wings.
Does anyone have any views, or things i should be considering?
Thanks for your help.
I am a determined person and do follow my dreams, i'd need to take some more GCSE's and get A levels in Maths and Physics i have found out, but there are evening courses i could do alongside my Carpentry job then once i have the nesessary grades start a sponsored training program if i could find one like the CTC Wings.
Does anyone have any views, or things i should be considering?
Thanks for your help.
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Whoever told you that you need A levels in Maths and Physics, you don't. I don't.
The airline industry is not what many people think it is. Each year, T&Cs are being eroded, and idiotic young men are paying to work, or working for nothing, or getting 'placed' by CTC and working for peanuts. God knows what the airline industry will be in 40 years time, but it isn't getting any better.
I suspect that with your current skills, you could do some flying and work your trade, thereby making up for the piss poor salary of an airline pilot.
CTC is a certainty that you will get a job - at the moment. If the airline industry is pulled down in a recession, I don't think it will matter as you ain't going to be working as a pilot.
The airline industry is not what many people think it is. Each year, T&Cs are being eroded, and idiotic young men are paying to work, or working for nothing, or getting 'placed' by CTC and working for peanuts. God knows what the airline industry will be in 40 years time, but it isn't getting any better.
I suspect that with your current skills, you could do some flying and work your trade, thereby making up for the piss poor salary of an airline pilot.
CTC is a certainty that you will get a job - at the moment. If the airline industry is pulled down in a recession, I don't think it will matter as you ain't going to be working as a pilot.
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its not that bad,, ignor all the people that sit and moan that there are no jobs and life is hard and all that
flying is a prestigious career and if it was easy everyone would do it, they dont, from everyone i knew until i started flying at 24 not one had ever piloted an aircraft before! thats how rare it is.
I did it the long modular way and became a flight instructor for a year and built some experiance, sponcership is hard and there are not many around and so they can pick the cream of the crop to train so my advice is go see a personal banker and get a relationship and look how to get your license over a few years to make it affordable.
everyone bangs on that its not what it used to be in flying? i guess its not, but everything has changed from 40years ago, TV, Cars, Restaurants, Coal Mineing, Computers, EVERYTHING! and in 40years time it will be totaly different again and a new set of negative people will be moaning its not what it was 40 years ago! who cares, your looking to fly now not in the 60's and 70's.
I have just started flying big jets now after 5years and am really looking forward to the next few years learning new skills, pay will be crap this year but then it will go up and be very good, ill just have to deal with that for now, people work for lots of companys in other fields that pay crap money and sit there for 10-20years, at least I know its getting better, much better!
my advice is go round some flight schools and meet as many people as you can gather information and take which bits are positive and help you get where you want and leave the moaners to sit on here and feel sorry for themselfs.
Good luck.
flying is a prestigious career and if it was easy everyone would do it, they dont, from everyone i knew until i started flying at 24 not one had ever piloted an aircraft before! thats how rare it is.
I did it the long modular way and became a flight instructor for a year and built some experiance, sponcership is hard and there are not many around and so they can pick the cream of the crop to train so my advice is go see a personal banker and get a relationship and look how to get your license over a few years to make it affordable.
everyone bangs on that its not what it used to be in flying? i guess its not, but everything has changed from 40years ago, TV, Cars, Restaurants, Coal Mineing, Computers, EVERYTHING! and in 40years time it will be totaly different again and a new set of negative people will be moaning its not what it was 40 years ago! who cares, your looking to fly now not in the 60's and 70's.
I have just started flying big jets now after 5years and am really looking forward to the next few years learning new skills, pay will be crap this year but then it will go up and be very good, ill just have to deal with that for now, people work for lots of companys in other fields that pay crap money and sit there for 10-20years, at least I know its getting better, much better!
my advice is go round some flight schools and meet as many people as you can gather information and take which bits are positive and help you get where you want and leave the moaners to sit on here and feel sorry for themselfs.
Good luck.
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No Sponsor: I think because i am after doing a sposored scheme like CTC they require you to have 5 GCSE's and 2 A Levels (Preferable in Maths and Physics).
I know its hard to get a sponsored training so i would have thought i'd need good credentials for them to even consider training me?
Im not sure on the cost if you train out of your own pocket, but i dont think thats a viable option for me right now.
So do you think its worth doing a couple of hours trial flying to see if its what i want. I dont think the sponsored training scemes are bothered if you have flying experience or not.
Thanks.
I know its hard to get a sponsored training so i would have thought i'd need good credentials for them to even consider training me?
Im not sure on the cost if you train out of your own pocket, but i dont think thats a viable option for me right now.
So do you think its worth doing a couple of hours trial flying to see if its what i want. I dont think the sponsored training scemes are bothered if you have flying experience or not.
Thanks.
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Sigibbons... I have recently obtained my ATPL (frozen) via modular route having left school with 5 gcse's, no A levels, no degree etc. Im not suggesting it sthe optimum jumping off point but dont let anybody tell you that you have to have a pocket full off certificates to succeed.
any Q's feel free to PM me.
DPT
any Q's feel free to PM me.
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Course funded through selling the car, borrowing off parents, loans and part time work during traning, total cost approx 45k. It took 3yrs to complete from start to finish but that was mainly due to unforseen probs during CPL/IR with the worst summer weather in years and some unfortunate tech issues with aircraft. Obviously depending on your situation there are also living costs during training, fortunately Mrs DPT has looked after me so I should be making it up to her for the next 400yrs or so.
DPT
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I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic. Flight schools are not the place for a black and white view of the airline world. Asking airline pilots is.
If you think it's nights away, working a few times a week, and a big salary; it isn't. It's more like minimum rest every day, 4 sector days, dealing with airport security, and you have to pay for your food on the flight deck. You do get a free bottle of water though.
Most airline pilots like the flying, but unless you're in one of the majors, the salaries do not reflect the cost of training, nor the skill involved. Each year terms and conditions are going south. The trend now is to reduce the T&Cs for new skippers, so when you get to your command upgrade, you will not be on a comparable salary of someone today. And yes, the cruise of a flight is often the time for the crews to talk about T&Cs.
As for trial lessons, they are good fun, and unless it scares the living daylights out of you, it will reinforce what you suspected.
Best use of your money right now is to have a go at the GAPAN tests, which will assess your capability.
CTC like the team-oriented individual, and tend to look at that in their selection process. The basic criteria is the following:
* have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU*
* have 5 GCSEs including Mathematics, English and a Science at grade C or higher (equivalent qualifications will be considered)
* have 2 A-levels (or equivalent), preferably in Mathematics and one other science based subject (Physics recommended) at grade C or higher
* be fluent in English (verbal and written)
* produce a CRC (criminal record check) Basic Disclosure Certificate before training can commence
The preferably in Maths and a science is only a preferable, so I'd do the GCSEs and then apply.
If you think it's nights away, working a few times a week, and a big salary; it isn't. It's more like minimum rest every day, 4 sector days, dealing with airport security, and you have to pay for your food on the flight deck. You do get a free bottle of water though.
Most airline pilots like the flying, but unless you're in one of the majors, the salaries do not reflect the cost of training, nor the skill involved. Each year terms and conditions are going south. The trend now is to reduce the T&Cs for new skippers, so when you get to your command upgrade, you will not be on a comparable salary of someone today. And yes, the cruise of a flight is often the time for the crews to talk about T&Cs.
As for trial lessons, they are good fun, and unless it scares the living daylights out of you, it will reinforce what you suspected.
Best use of your money right now is to have a go at the GAPAN tests, which will assess your capability.
CTC like the team-oriented individual, and tend to look at that in their selection process. The basic criteria is the following:
* have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU*
* have 5 GCSEs including Mathematics, English and a Science at grade C or higher (equivalent qualifications will be considered)
* have 2 A-levels (or equivalent), preferably in Mathematics and one other science based subject (Physics recommended) at grade C or higher
* be fluent in English (verbal and written)
* produce a CRC (criminal record check) Basic Disclosure Certificate before training can commence
The preferably in Maths and a science is only a preferable, so I'd do the GCSEs and then apply.
Last edited by no sponsor; 5th Jan 2008 at 09:33.
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im in the exact same boat as you! 20 yrs carpenter! im 2 hours into my ppl and im doing it alongside work over a few months while saving for the night rating and instrument. i had been researching for months before i decided the only way to find out if im ment to be a pilot is to do my ppl. the way i see it better knowing than not! and as for this sponsorship route dnt even go there if you didnt do well at school. hsbc can help!
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No Sponsor, if i dont have the A level maths and Physics surley they would choose the other youngsters who do have this qualification? Its just another reason for them to not pick me, right?
Danny, your funding your way through the whole thing if you like flying then? Around £45k isnt it? I think i am capable of getting the maths and science A level so i think its worth me taking a couple of years to get this then try to get a sponsor, in the mean time a few flying lessons will tell me if i really could do it for a job.
Thanks for your input chaps!
Danny, your funding your way through the whole thing if you like flying then? Around £45k isnt it? I think i am capable of getting the maths and science A level so i think its worth me taking a couple of years to get this then try to get a sponsor, in the mean time a few flying lessons will tell me if i really could do it for a job.
Thanks for your input chaps!
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Keep working as a carpenter and put as much money away as possible! Do this for 2 years while you do your A levels at night school. You're 20 years old so you have plenty of time.
What you may find is spending £45k on your modular training (£70k/£80k on integrated) is good if you want a fATPL to apply for the airline jobs.
But take a look at the threads regarding people looking to self fund their type ratings on 737's and A320 at £20k a pop. A lot of people are tired of applying for jobs and not getting the FO job so they resort to buying a type rating, some/most get jet jobs but some still fail to land a job in the RHS of a jet after £65k / £100k of investment in training.
It's an expensive hobby this flight training
Good luck
What you may find is spending £45k on your modular training (£70k/£80k on integrated) is good if you want a fATPL to apply for the airline jobs.
But take a look at the threads regarding people looking to self fund their type ratings on 737's and A320 at £20k a pop. A lot of people are tired of applying for jobs and not getting the FO job so they resort to buying a type rating, some/most get jet jobs but some still fail to land a job in the RHS of a jet after £65k / £100k of investment in training.
It's an expensive hobby this flight training
Good luck
