Education Requirements and prereqs?
 

Hey everyone. I join this website at the start of the year not knowing much about this industry, so during this time I've done a little bit of research and now I've reached a point in my life where I'm anxious about the future. I'm really irritated and annoyed that I just can't find the information I'm looking for, and when I do it gets shut down by more rumours and theories.

I'm currently in year 12, pre-hsc. I study English, CAFS, Legal Studies, Geography and Senior Science. I did Physics in the preliminary course but had dropped it because it was too difficult for me, and I tried so hard to study and understand the concepts but I just couldn't. I currently do not do mathetmatics, and cannot pick it up as I did not do it in year 11, so for this I'm assuming a bridging course w/ TAFE could suffice, but I'm not entirely sure.

I really want to become a pilot, and I'm willing to commit to whatever I currently need to become one. I know that flight training is really costly and I (and my family) just don't have that type of cash, and I'm not sure if HECS is available.

To summarise: I don't do maths or physics, currently in year 12, want to be a pilot, don't know how.

Well do yourself a favour from the start.

If you EVER want to work for an airline then go and complete the TAFE bridging courses for maths (and English if req) before you spend even one cent on flight training.

Flight schools will tell you it doesn't matter and it doesn't if you want to stay in GA and earn 60K (at best) forever, but I assure you that you will feel a lot of pain having spent thousands on training only to find out that you can't get through the maths and English bridging courses that the airlines require. Not to mention that these courses won't be completed over night and you will most likely find that a hard task to fit in around your flying job. It will mean considerable time off.

It's not an easy industry to make your way through. CASA is making it harder by the day. Do plenty of research first. Dare I say a LOT more than you have so far. Go and find some guys that are actually flying around now - guys in chieftains and 402's that know how hard it is to move along. It's an expensive start (training) and it doesn't get easier for the first 3-5 years flying around in singles looking for that first twin gig.

And if you are thinking capital city jobs, nice accomodation and an easy trek to the airlines after flight training like I have seen and heard from plenty of young lads (and ladies) then give up now.

If you just said to yourself "wow that sounded brutal" then you're welcome. Im not going to sugar-coat it and you won't hear the truth from many...

HECS is available through various Universities. They will more than likely want Physics, English and Maths along with a healthy OP/ HSC mark.

Don't let the old "we can get you a Cadetship" suck you in. Sure, if somewhere along the line you jag one then great, but you would be a fool to become one of the long line of guys that are "not interested in GA, I'm just finishing uni and going to get a Cadetship". Ha!

Honestly, it looks to me like you would be best aiming at a job (not subway or MD's, a decent paying job) post high school for a few years that will give you the time to do the bridging courses which will get you into uni (or airlines down the track) AND make you some money. And you need to save that money because HECS may get you through flight school, but it won't get you through GA.

Good luck!

Love your response jet pilot. :ok:

Mikem if you are hungry, you can learn what you need to learn to go forward. That takes self discipline and perserverance.

A Gentleman I know, started flying training with an EXTREMLEY limited ability to read or write. He got the hunger, he pretty much self schooled himself to get through the theory part. He also worked hard in the things he did know to pay for the flying part. He now holds down a very respectable Multi Engine IFR Turbine job in the GA sector.

This could be you IF that is what you really want.
You can achieve any job you want. It is not your education level that will hold you back, it will always be your unwillingness to do the hard work and learn the things you need to.

Driving aeroplanes still holds the public to a glamour level. It isn't easy, but ANYONE can do it, if they wish to.

Good luck

Hi

While it is true that most airlines will prefer that you have year 12 physics and maths just do them either in year 12 or at TAFE. Year 12 level physics and math is not hard and it will be the hardest you will ever have to do as a pilot.

Once you start your training you will realise that there is not much knowledge required of either of these subjects. The physics parts are simply common sense and the math is no harder then being given some equations and being shown how to plug the numbers in. It's year 10 stuff. There is a reason you don't need a degree to be a pilot. It's because it's not that difficult.

If you want to do a university degree in aviation then you can probably be accepted without both year 12 physics and math. They will probably ask you for at least one of them though. A lot of guys I have spoken to who have done the courses did not have both and did not require amazing school results to get in. The universities running these programs are happy to have you believe me.

Flying is a great job don't get me wrong. But the really hard part is having the thick skin and determination to stay in there because as has been mentioned numerous times, it is a really hard road. If you do not have the ability to tough out year 12 level subjects you will probably not have the required fortitude to make it as a pilot. It takes character, not much else.

Eh? I made that as an instructor a million years ago, and more than double that now, still in GA.

Its not great, but its not as bad as you paint.

You'll only need maths and physics if you want to join qantas.

The rest in Australia don't require it unless you're trying to get into a cadet program.

Having said that you don't want to be running a race handicapped front the start. Education is something that you can never have too much of. Get a tutor, do whatever you need to do. If you can see and end game for doing something, it's always the motivation to succeed. At least for me.

Fair Call GG.

There is a lot on the forums about the disadvantages of Uni Aviation degrees - largely cost and time to qualify.

Does anyone have any positive views?

Fly safe
PJ

Although I enjoyed doing my Aviation Degree, I found the syllabus didn't prepare me for the CASA exams and overall I don't think it has made me a better pilot.

If I had my time again, I would do a degree in a field not related to aviation and I would have completed my flight training through a flying school. That way, you have a degree and something to fall back on if the flying falls apart.

I can vouch for that too, making more than 10 year regional captains in GA! :ok:

Maths? I don't need no stinkin maths, so long as I can count my paycheck, aww heck even the W&B is computerised these days, anyone can do it! ;)

Check out the military. They pay you to learn to fly with money left over.