No A-Levels?

[Slow Progress]

I sometimes regret the path I chose after school. I managed to get a job working in the headquarters of an airline straight after completing my GCSE and 20 years later I am still working for said airline with all that aviation experience including PPL and I can’t even apply for entry to training schemes as I don’t have the required bits of paper from college. I get filtered out before anyone even sees me. I would recommend doing A levels.

[parkfell]

By completing your 'A' levels with reasonable grades or better, you are demonstrating that you have an adequate amount of grey matter to any employer and capable of absorbing the technical stuff.
That is not to say all is lost without them for those going down the Modular route. Provided your GCSE maths and physics and English language are sound, then the EASA written exams will not prove to be insurmountable.

Averaging 90%+ in them (all first time passes) will indicate to any employer you may well be the right stuff even without 'A' levels

[parkfell]

bpi

Your story is not uncommon. I know at least two other jet captains who found school totally uninspiring and left with the school thinking they were not capable of achieving anything special. Clearly intelligent, which the school was not able to unlock.
What they both had was an absolute passion and determination to commit aviation.
They both went back to night school to get the maths (sums) up to speed.
CPL exams first, followed by the ATPL Nav block, as was pre JAR/EASA.
FI route to hour build. The rest they say is history.

The modular route has a lot to offer, and invariably produces a far more rounded individual. Integrated customers who commence training towards their mid twenties have life experience which is also invaluable.

[jamesgrainge]

Does anyone actually check the information you place on your application/CV these days? I'm pretty sure I could have put 10 A* and 4 A's at A level and no one would have known otherwise. Are airlines different in some way?

[Alex Whittingham]

probably not, I was never asked for certificates, other than on joining the RAF IIRC.

[Piltdown Man]

Who are you living for? What is your plan? A Levels are a step in the direction of better pay and more choice. Considering all you have to apply is effort I’d say they were good value for money. They will also prepare your mind fortune brain numbing rubbish that you will have have to learn and regurgitate for the exams. Dare I say it, but a nimble mind will also help you with flying. So develop it. At the same time, you will also gain a little maturity, something essential in this trade. There is nothing worse than sitting next to a one-trick pony who is “living the dream”.

PM

[PilotINOP]

Originally Posted by tobster911

Hello, just a quick question, but, are my chances of landing a job with an airline (if you'll pardon the pun) much lower if I don't have A-Levels? I have good GCSE results, but A-Levels are just proving to be too much for me, and all I've ever wanted to do is fly...

Any help greatly appreciated

its possible but it’s a harder and longer route to get in to. You might have to start small on turbo props and work your way up. I recommend doing A-levels as it will stand out a lot more to airlines. Don’t be too worried if you don’t do well at A-levels though. I know pilots who fly for major airlines with bad GCSEs. It’s just a harder and longer route. So I’d say. Go on to do A-levels and try your hardest but don’t worry too much if you don’t do well, it’s still possible. Good luck!