The use of A-levels?
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For literally all Flight Schools you'll be put through Pilot Aptitude tests (numerous of them),
Like it or not aptitude tests prove you're good at aptitude tests. School exams are to get you into university and lack of them doesn't stop anyone from becoming a pilot or indeed a millionaire.
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Well, I'm a 15 year old student and I am doing all higher papers, meaning that I can get A* in everything if I am determined enough 
I am not a major fan of Physics as it is not my 'forte'. However, I believe I HAVE to take it at A level to prove to the airlines that I have knowledge in Physics.
This may sound idiotic, but is Physics a major factor in written exams for your licenses?
Also, do all commercial pilots have a PPL?
Thanks,
Daniel.
I am not a major fan of Physics as it is not my 'forte'. However, I believe I HAVE to take it at A level to prove to the airlines that I have knowledge in Physics.
This may sound idiotic, but is Physics a major factor in written exams for your licenses?
Also, do all commercial pilots have a PPL?
Thanks,
Daniel.
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All you NEED to take is your ATPLs. Sure some may like Physics but I'd be surprised if they looked at a 1000hr PIC application and turned it down in favour of a 250hr one due to one not having Physics (and this coming from somebody who took Physics).
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Haha, very true indeed.
Thanks for that, I think I may take Physics just improve my knowledge for those infamous written exams
Straight after Uni I better get out there and get my PPL.
I have no flying experience as of yet, so say if I went to an airline to train, would I get my PPL there then gradually mount up those licenses/certificates?
Thanks for that, I think I may take Physics just improve my knowledge for those infamous written exams
Straight after Uni I better get out there and get my PPL.
I have no flying experience as of yet, so say if I went to an airline to train, would I get my PPL there then gradually mount up those licenses/certificates?
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Hey dude.
I am currently doing physics at A2 level as well as Maths, Further Maths, and Geography. I believe that they will all come in handy in the future. I was looking at the ATPL syllabi and saw that quite a substantial amount of A Level Physics, Maths and Geography come up. Weather from Geography. Mechanics from Maths and Physics. They do seem to overlap- even if it is very minor. It also shows the people at the FTO's that you took subjects with becoming a pilot in mind, which I deem to be essential. Whether it is true or not is another matter, however it does show that you have had the passion for longer than a few months,i.e massive enthusiasm etc.
I mean, I know guys who have A Levels and have gotten sponsorships with ACD, one guy with two C's. Hopefully if all goes well for me I should get AAA in (Further) Maths and Geography and then a B or a C in Physics depending on re-sits.
The Physics A Level does contain some random stuff mind, with only one module of the 6 on Mechanics which relates to flying. The rest is on particles, nuclear instability, quantum theory and all that jazz. I decided to self teach Mechanics 2 to myself in Maths as well as doing Mechanics 1 in lessons, and have yet to sit these both. Hopefully having drove myself to self teach the extra module will show a passion to extend knowledge blah blah...
One thing I do think is good about A-Levels is the fact it bridges the gap between School and coming to apply to FTO's at the grand old age of 18, if this is what you want.
Imagine in an interview;
"So, since school what have you done with your time up until today?"
"Well sir......"
I mean if you were working and getting a PPL fair enough; but if you say you balanced A Levels and a PPL as well as a job and sporting commitments and social aspects then it does sound pretty impressive!
Just my thoughts anyway...
Take what you will from it
I am currently doing physics at A2 level as well as Maths, Further Maths, and Geography. I believe that they will all come in handy in the future. I was looking at the ATPL syllabi and saw that quite a substantial amount of A Level Physics, Maths and Geography come up. Weather from Geography. Mechanics from Maths and Physics. They do seem to overlap- even if it is very minor. It also shows the people at the FTO's that you took subjects with becoming a pilot in mind, which I deem to be essential. Whether it is true or not is another matter, however it does show that you have had the passion for longer than a few months,i.e massive enthusiasm etc.
I mean, I know guys who have A Levels and have gotten sponsorships with ACD, one guy with two C's. Hopefully if all goes well for me I should get AAA in (Further) Maths and Geography and then a B or a C in Physics depending on re-sits.
The Physics A Level does contain some random stuff mind, with only one module of the 6 on Mechanics which relates to flying. The rest is on particles, nuclear instability, quantum theory and all that jazz. I decided to self teach Mechanics 2 to myself in Maths as well as doing Mechanics 1 in lessons, and have yet to sit these both. Hopefully having drove myself to self teach the extra module will show a passion to extend knowledge blah blah...
One thing I do think is good about A-Levels is the fact it bridges the gap between School and coming to apply to FTO's at the grand old age of 18, if this is what you want.
Imagine in an interview;
"So, since school what have you done with your time up until today?"
"Well sir......"
I mean if you were working and getting a PPL fair enough; but if you say you balanced A Levels and a PPL as well as a job and sporting commitments and social aspects then it does sound pretty impressive!
Just my thoughts anyway...
Take what you will from it
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Hmmm, not so sure about the relevance of A-level physics. Certainly not my syllabus anyway! Very limated in flying related stuff. I have managed to base my courseworks on flying themes- for example thermocouples in RR Trent engines!
I did maths and physics because I saw that many flight schools want Maths and a science- in hindsight mabye I should have done subjects I was good at. We will see!
I would recommend doing an extended project. search this on google. It's basically a qualification in whatever you want. Mine was on the aerodynamics and design of 737-NGs. I learnt more about flying doing that than maths of physics.
I did maths and physics because I saw that many flight schools want Maths and a science- in hindsight mabye I should have done subjects I was good at. We will see!
I would recommend doing an extended project. search this on google. It's basically a qualification in whatever you want. Mine was on the aerodynamics and design of 737-NGs. I learnt more about flying doing that than maths of physics.
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I think the question of "The Use of A-Levels" was a little broad and should be broken into 2 questions with 2 totally different answers:
1. Do you need A-levels to fly a plane?
No- who cares. As others have said, you are only as good as your last sim check, etc.
2. Do you need A-Levels to get the all-important interview - especially in this market where there are hundreds of applicants for one position?
Obviously.
Fair enough, once at that interview you could turn out to be someone with the personality of cushion. But the top guy who also has the same licence as you, first time passes blah blah and who you could chat to for a 12 hour flight may never get a look-in, just becasue his/her CV never stood out.
I got sh!t A-Levels.
However, at Uni, I got a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Will this get me an interview over other low-hour cadets? I bloody hope so.
Do I have the personality of a cushion? Maybe
Edited:
That fuel question? WTF! - so No. You don't need A-levels or a degree to fly a plane. But it "might" get you into the interview room.
1. Do you need A-levels to fly a plane?
No- who cares. As others have said, you are only as good as your last sim check, etc.
2. Do you need A-Levels to get the all-important interview - especially in this market where there are hundreds of applicants for one position?
Obviously.
Fair enough, once at that interview you could turn out to be someone with the personality of cushion. But the top guy who also has the same licence as you, first time passes blah blah and who you could chat to for a 12 hour flight may never get a look-in, just becasue his/her CV never stood out.
I got sh!t A-Levels.
However, at Uni, I got a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Will this get me an interview over other low-hour cadets? I bloody hope so.
Do I have the personality of a cushion? Maybe
Edited:
That fuel question? WTF! - so No. You don't need A-levels or a degree to fly a plane. But it "might" get you into the interview room.
Last edited by Mach086; 24th Feb 2009 at 07:52.
Also, do all commercial pilots have a PPL?
Yes they all started off with a PPL.
Please do NOT use this to start another modular v integrated rant. I was just correcting wrong information.
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GCSEs, A levels and degrees are not required to fly an aeroplane, and once you have decent commercial experience on your CV (e.g. 500hrs multi-crew or an unfrozen ATPL) then school or even university qualifications are pretty meaningless.
That said, in order to get commercial experience, you need to get a job, which means getting an interview. As Bealzebub points out, airlines are constantly deluged with low-hours CVs, and they all look very similar. Everyone with a wet-ink CPL is reliable, enthusiastic, willing to relocate etc - the only things that differentiate candidates are life and/or work experience (subjective) and academic and/or training records (easy to measure objectively and very easy to filter).
If I was in charge of flight crew recruitment and wanted to keep the number of CVs down to manageable levels, I'd certainly impose a minimum level of academic achievement. You would be wise to aim for the best grades you can at school, including A levels.
That said, in order to get commercial experience, you need to get a job, which means getting an interview. As Bealzebub points out, airlines are constantly deluged with low-hours CVs, and they all look very similar. Everyone with a wet-ink CPL is reliable, enthusiastic, willing to relocate etc - the only things that differentiate candidates are life and/or work experience (subjective) and academic and/or training records (easy to measure objectively and very easy to filter).
If I was in charge of flight crew recruitment and wanted to keep the number of CVs down to manageable levels, I'd certainly impose a minimum level of academic achievement. You would be wise to aim for the best grades you can at school, including A levels.
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It should be noted that in getting a fATPL you can exercise all the privileges of a PPL.
Back onto the A-levels. I did maths and physics because thats what I need to do, even if it is meerly to tick some boxes on an application form. I know this is not the case for all flight schools- but to give myself the best chance, I thought this was the right idea.
I agree with 1mag1n3, I think (or at least I hope) it does show commitment. Maths and physics are'nt easy subjects- and they are harder when they're not your best subjects either!!
Back onto the A-levels. I did maths and physics because thats what I need to do, even if it is meerly to tick some boxes on an application form. I know this is not the case for all flight schools- but to give myself the best chance, I thought this was the right idea.
I agree with 1mag1n3, I think (or at least I hope) it does show commitment. Maths and physics are'nt easy subjects- and they are harder when they're not your best subjects either!!
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Thanks for that
I would rather get straight into the CPL rather than getting a PPL.
Is 'hour building' a strong suggestion to get those hours up and make my CV look better when I get to that stage?
Also, may I ask what is the difference between integrated and modular?
I will research in the meantime
EDIT- I just researched,
So Integrated is all in one go like a school subject for example. Whereas, Modular is split up?
I was looking at Oxford Aviation Academy and they look very good.
Would they cover the basics of Meteorology etc?
I would rather get straight into the CPL rather than getting a PPL.
Is 'hour building' a strong suggestion to get those hours up and make my CV look better when I get to that stage?
Also, may I ask what is the difference between integrated and modular?
I will research in the meantime
EDIT- I just researched,
So Integrated is all in one go like a school subject for example. Whereas, Modular is split up?
I was looking at Oxford Aviation Academy and they look very good.
Would they cover the basics of Meteorology etc?
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They will cover ATPL theory, like any other integrated school.
The main integrated schools you should consider are (and in order of my preference);
CTC
Flight Training Europe
Oxford Aviation Academy
Bristol Aviation
Cabair
As far as modular flight training goes there are a million and 1 different flight schools who would train you; in this country and around the world.
You are right, integrated is kind of an all-in-one package. You go to one flight school (usually with little or no flying experience) and come out with fATPL (or mabye MPL now). By going the modular route you will also aim to end up with an 'fATPL' but you can split up the 'modules' and do them where ever. Search this forum for there is a wealth of information in everything- including the modular v integrated debate!
The main integrated schools you should consider are (and in order of my preference);
CTC
Flight Training Europe
Oxford Aviation Academy
Bristol Aviation
Cabair
As far as modular flight training goes there are a million and 1 different flight schools who would train you; in this country and around the world.
You are right, integrated is kind of an all-in-one package. You go to one flight school (usually with little or no flying experience) and come out with fATPL (or mabye MPL now). By going the modular route you will also aim to end up with an 'fATPL' but you can split up the 'modules' and do them where ever. Search this forum for there is a wealth of information in everything- including the modular v integrated debate!
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I would not take F/O UFO's advice on finding the Modular Vs Intergrated debate.
Simple search for posts by a guy called AFRAZ. He will tell you everything you need to know.
Simple search for posts by a guy called AFRAZ. He will tell you everything you need to know.
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I wouldn't trust someone who wasn't capable/couldn't be arsed doing A-levels or some form of higher/further education to fly me anywhere. Simply don't have enough grasp of physics to understand the consequences of their actions.
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You may not need a PPL if you're pursuing the integrated route, however I have just received a place on the CTC Wings Cadet scheme and the initial phase out in NZ gives you a 72 hour PPL.
As far as the debate with A-levels goes, is it not pertinent to address the fact studying A-levels promotes dedication, hard work and comittment, which are absolutely integral to studies within commerical flight training? They undoubtedly make you a more well-rounded person and certainly more intelligent and competent. Take English, for example: studying it will provide you with sound grammar and sophisticated articulation, which will undoubtedly make a good impression and get you much further than someone who is illiterate or educated to an inferior level to you. You have to consider how people perceive you on face value, and how you can enhance your presentation in every way to an employer.
It's not a question of if you need 'A-levels' to fly an aircraft, it's whether you have the necessary intelligence/aptitude there to begin with and are willing to learn and better yourself.
As far as the debate with A-levels goes, is it not pertinent to address the fact studying A-levels promotes dedication, hard work and comittment, which are absolutely integral to studies within commerical flight training? They undoubtedly make you a more well-rounded person and certainly more intelligent and competent. Take English, for example: studying it will provide you with sound grammar and sophisticated articulation, which will undoubtedly make a good impression and get you much further than someone who is illiterate or educated to an inferior level to you. You have to consider how people perceive you on face value, and how you can enhance your presentation in every way to an employer.
It's not a question of if you need 'A-levels' to fly an aircraft, it's whether you have the necessary intelligence/aptitude there to begin with and are willing to learn and better yourself.
