aeronautical engineering degree
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No more or less than a degree in any other numerate discipline, that is, no more than an A-level in maths or physics and a whole lot less than a fATPL and the ability to pay for your type rating.
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Doing a degree is good in many ways, not just for becoming an engineer. As far as the basic minimum requirements for becoming a pilot go, it is absolutely not required in this country. In Canada and the US, as I understand, it is sometimes used as application criteria.
If you are interested in the subject matter and want to be educated beyond A-level standard, as I was, and are not in a hurry to get straight in to flying given the currently poor prospects, then go for the degree first. In the same way as a frozen ATPL is only the ticket to the starting gate for pilots, an engineering degree is, as far as employment goes, also only good for entry-level graduate work unless you have professional experience.
Hope that helps you a little, as I once pondered the same question.
Cheers
AD.
If you are interested in the subject matter and want to be educated beyond A-level standard, as I was, and are not in a hurry to get straight in to flying given the currently poor prospects, then go for the degree first. In the same way as a frozen ATPL is only the ticket to the starting gate for pilots, an engineering degree is, as far as employment goes, also only good for entry-level graduate work unless you have professional experience.
Hope that helps you a little, as I once pondered the same question.
Cheers
AD.
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From my experience a university degree does have benefits.
I went to university because I wanted to. I wanted a degree as a ticket to a high paid job to secure a loan, which would have funded my flight training. Fortunately, my ol' man pitied me and helped me out so I could start flying while still attending uni.
University teaches you a lot of valuable skill which you can use later on in life, e.g. meeting deadlines, improving interpersonal com and so on.
I also wanted a degree to fall back on should flying not work out the way I wanted it to.
In terms of having an edge over other applicants in the job hunting process I think it's useless, at least with the airlines as ready entry. To make it into the sponsored programs it is more valuable. Apart from that, all it comes down to is hours, hours, and hours, and knowing people, at least in the GA.
To give you one more example from my experience. I have just been hired by an aerial photography company flying a little twin. They also want me to do office work, such as processing data, setting up their website, sales. Having a university degree helped me negotiate a much higher salary.
Would I do it all over again and go to uni? You bet.
I went to university because I wanted to. I wanted a degree as a ticket to a high paid job to secure a loan, which would have funded my flight training. Fortunately, my ol' man pitied me and helped me out so I could start flying while still attending uni.
University teaches you a lot of valuable skill which you can use later on in life, e.g. meeting deadlines, improving interpersonal com and so on.
I also wanted a degree to fall back on should flying not work out the way I wanted it to.
In terms of having an edge over other applicants in the job hunting process I think it's useless, at least with the airlines as ready entry. To make it into the sponsored programs it is more valuable. Apart from that, all it comes down to is hours, hours, and hours, and knowing people, at least in the GA.
To give you one more example from my experience. I have just been hired by an aerial photography company flying a little twin. They also want me to do office work, such as processing data, setting up their website, sales. Having a university degree helped me negotiate a much higher salary.
Would I do it all over again and go to uni? You bet.
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Are you kidding me?
An aeronautical engineering degree is a fantastic asset to anyone considering a job as a pilot.
Im currently studying it in the university of brighton, and it makes me laugh to read people's replies on here saying it makes no difference , its useless etc. If you really loved flying and airplanes then it would be blatantly obvious to you that this degree is a fantastic one to have. not only do you get to study a vast array of exciting subjects but you actually understand everything about flight and how it happens which you wont learn from watching the discovery channel!
So if you are serious about becoming a pilot then this degree is for you. It will for sure and certain give you an edge in the interview process but on a personal level it will fascinate you. Don't listen to people who say otherwise because more than likely they will see it as a threat because they went straight to Jerez or Oxford out of school and will only ever learn how to be computer managers in an airbus, not like you who will understand the relationship between the 'bus and the sky!
Best of Luck , and if you would like to chat in more detail about the degree let me know and ill help you out, as i said im doing it at Uni of Brighton.
Im currently studying it in the university of brighton, and it makes me laugh to read people's replies on here saying it makes no difference , its useless etc. If you really loved flying and airplanes then it would be blatantly obvious to you that this degree is a fantastic one to have. not only do you get to study a vast array of exciting subjects but you actually understand everything about flight and how it happens which you wont learn from watching the discovery channel!
So if you are serious about becoming a pilot then this degree is for you. It will for sure and certain give you an edge in the interview process but on a personal level it will fascinate you. Don't listen to people who say otherwise because more than likely they will see it as a threat because they went straight to Jerez or Oxford out of school and will only ever learn how to be computer managers in an airbus, not like you who will understand the relationship between the 'bus and the sky!
Best of Luck , and if you would like to chat in more detail about the degree let me know and ill help you out, as i said im doing it at Uni of Brighton.
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Maurice, I'm sure your input is valuable. May I only say that I am speaking from the perspective of somebody who has not only finished the degree but then actually gone through flight training afterwards (and the associated interviews).
I am sure that nobody here wishes to suggest your decision to do the degree was the wrong one, but it is a personal choice for all - the truth is, all the understanding of flight-related topics is covered in as much detail as necessary during the flight training programme.
Best of luck with your studies, I hope you enjoy them.
I am sure that nobody here wishes to suggest your decision to do the degree was the wrong one, but it is a personal choice for all - the truth is, all the understanding of flight-related topics is covered in as much detail as necessary during the flight training programme.
Best of luck with your studies, I hope you enjoy them.
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an engineering degree is always an asset. It would always be an alternate career option for if you dont land up your job as a pilot . I personally am a mechanical engineer and strongly feel that graduation is a must.
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African dude most guys today seem to care more about the uniform than how the plane fly's, so I'm saying that doing this degree should be a fantastic opportunity to study what you love, and not considered as 'the long way around' to getting a uniform.
For example you said that all understanding of flight related topics is covered in as much detail as necessary. I just don't see the passion for flying there.
If you talk to BA pilots or Aer Lingus ones they'll tell you that most of the F.O's recruited over the last few years have some engineering background.
Im not bothering to write on this forum for the sake of an argument, if I wanted an argument I could call my sister!
For example you said that all understanding of flight related topics is covered in as much detail as necessary. I just don't see the passion for flying there.
If you talk to BA pilots or Aer Lingus ones they'll tell you that most of the F.O's recruited over the last few years have some engineering background.
Im not bothering to write on this forum for the sake of an argument, if I wanted an argument I could call my sister!
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I have a degree in Aerospace. I also worked as an engineer for Airbus for 4 years. I have my frozen ATPL. Do I have a job? .... drum role ... NOPE!
It is a hard degree, lots of hours compared with something like geography. The lecturers will find ways of sucking the fun out of even the most interesting experiments. I hated every minute of my degree despite loving aircraft. Its a very very hard degree. Would I do it again? Not for an FO seat with BA!
There's faster ways to get where you want and they all have a £ sign in front of them.
Good luck.
It is a hard degree, lots of hours compared with something like geography. The lecturers will find ways of sucking the fun out of even the most interesting experiments. I hated every minute of my degree despite loving aircraft. Its a very very hard degree. Would I do it again? Not for an FO seat with BA!
There's faster ways to get where you want and they all have a £ sign in front of them.
Good luck.
Grey,
You can do Aeronautical Engineering Degree's that include pilot studies towards the PPL / ATPL.
Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies: MEng (Hons) ~ Undergraduate degrees ~ The University of Liverpool
Dave
You can do Aeronautical Engineering Degree's that include pilot studies towards the PPL / ATPL.
Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies: MEng (Hons) ~ Undergraduate degrees ~ The University of Liverpool
Dave
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Relax Maurice 
I don't disagree with you. I'm merely drawing attention to the fact that, as far as recruitment of pilots goes (the original question), it's less than significant. The degree itself was an exceptional investment for other reasons though 
I will resist the urge to tell you to say hi to your sister for me... it sounds like I might have dated her once!
Edit to say: djfingerscrossed - is THAT where my bald spot comes from...
I don't disagree with you. I'm merely drawing attention to the fact that, as far as recruitment of pilots goes (the original question), it's less than significant. The degree itself was an exceptional investment for other reasons though I will resist the urge to tell you to say hi to your sister for me... it sounds like I might have dated her once!Edit to say: djfingerscrossed - is THAT where my bald spot comes from...
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greyb33,
Have you found somewhere that accepts just the AS for an engineering course, It used to be the full A Level was a pre-requisite.
University is great for many things and in the current climate is a fantastic idea given the likelihood of getting a job on graduation from an FTO is fairly slim right now.
Maurice,
Whilst I don't wish to contradict you too much and I whole heatedly agree that a degree is a good thing, the ATPL lessons go no further than GCSE/A-Level physics, and very basic Math.
Insofar as getting a RHS job, the Degree MAY help at initial screening but I highly doubt it (I got the job without one). What you actually need at the moment is a LOT of patience, the willingness to look outside the UK and have several thousand hours on type or a few thousand Euros to give to FR.
To be clear a degree is not a pre-requisite for employment - a licence is.
(But still go and get the degree - I left early and am completing mine via distance learning - thankfully it worked out well for me and I still got a couple of years of uni life which I wouldn't trade for anything!)
Best of luck!
Have you found somewhere that accepts just the AS for an engineering course, It used to be the full A Level was a pre-requisite.
University is great for many things and in the current climate is a fantastic idea given the likelihood of getting a job on graduation from an FTO is fairly slim right now.
Maurice,
Whilst I don't wish to contradict you too much and I whole heatedly agree that a degree is a good thing, the ATPL lessons go no further than GCSE/A-Level physics, and very basic Math.
Insofar as getting a RHS job, the Degree MAY help at initial screening but I highly doubt it (I got the job without one). What you actually need at the moment is a LOT of patience, the willingness to look outside the UK and have several thousand hours on type or a few thousand Euros to give to FR.
To be clear a degree is not a pre-requisite for employment - a licence is.
(But still go and get the degree - I left early and am completing mine via distance learning - thankfully it worked out well for me and I still got a couple of years of uni life which I wouldn't trade for anything!)
Best of luck!
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As far as I know, all the cadets that BA hand-picked from Flight schools (mainly oxford) have a degree in something relevant, although you really have to be getting extremely high marks in all your tests in exams and have a bit of luck for this to happen, but having a degree will increase your chances.
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Having a degree is an excellent idea, and should be a requirement to all commercial pilots.
When you are planning a commercial flight you are required to have at least one plan B (an alternate), as you should have when planning other important things(LIKE YOUR LIFE).
I think that the airlines have mixed feelings about highly educated pilots, the pros are that you have proven that you have some brain and an interest in technology.
The cons are that you have more balls than the desperate CTC/Oxscam victims and will be more difficult to bully and abuse.
So overall it probably wont matter to an airline if you have a degree or not, but it could mean the world to you.
So a good plan could be to start studying for a degree, fly gliders and get a PPL, and when you have you degree you could take a look at the state of the airline industry and make your choice.
A bad plan could be to enlist in a integrated course at CTC/Oxscam, and when you have you frozen ATPL fork out another 30 KG for type-rating and line training, and then spend the next 20+ yers working double time as a taxi driver to repay the bank.
When you are planning a commercial flight you are required to have at least one plan B (an alternate), as you should have when planning other important things(LIKE YOUR LIFE).
I think that the airlines have mixed feelings about highly educated pilots, the pros are that you have proven that you have some brain and an interest in technology.
The cons are that you have more balls than the desperate CTC/Oxscam victims and will be more difficult to bully and abuse.
So overall it probably wont matter to an airline if you have a degree or not, but it could mean the world to you.
So a good plan could be to start studying for a degree, fly gliders and get a PPL, and when you have you degree you could take a look at the state of the airline industry and make your choice.
A bad plan could be to enlist in a integrated course at CTC/Oxscam, and when you have you frozen ATPL fork out another 30 KG for type-rating and line training, and then spend the next 20+ yers working double time as a taxi driver to repay the bank.
Educated Hillbilly
djfingerscrossed,
Actually very easy to get back into the engineering industry after a spell of flying (although as a contractor), got myself an engineering contract a day after getting laid off from my turboprop job mid 2008.
Also I knew another retired airline pilot and former engineer who returned to engineering after about 25 years in flying. Further to this I have another colleague who got a 737 job for a year and walked back into his engineering position after getting laid off.
So aero engineering can be a very good back up career and also a route to funding the frozen ATPL, however only do it if you think you could happily spend thirty years in engineering if the flying doesn't work out.
Actually very easy to get back into the engineering industry after a spell of flying (although as a contractor), got myself an engineering contract a day after getting laid off from my turboprop job mid 2008.
Also I knew another retired airline pilot and former engineer who returned to engineering after about 25 years in flying. Further to this I have another colleague who got a 737 job for a year and walked back into his engineering position after getting laid off.
So aero engineering can be a very good back up career and also a route to funding the frozen ATPL, however only do it if you think you could happily spend thirty years in engineering if the flying doesn't work out.
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theycallmemaurice ,just out of curiousity,how many fliyng hours have you got?What??? Did I hear this correct?Zero? And you are trying to tell me that people without degrees are just computer operators? Why would they listen to a pimply youngster,who thinks that he rules this world just because he went to University?Until you get at least 1000 hrs on something heavier than a cessna 172 please make me a favour-shut your mouth and think before you write,because if someday you're going to make it to a RHS(and I think you'll never make it,haven't got the right attitude),you'll have to think twice before speaking or making any decisions...I personally have a degree,but it doesn't make me better than anybody else,I've seen people with degrees and without and generally those with a higher level education perform better,but there are many exceptions.In current climate not getting a degree wouldn't be a very clever idea and it looks like this tendency will remain for a couple of years.