Government Funding Flying Training
Without taking sides about whether people ought to get grants from an individual "fairness" point of view, the excess of supply vs. demand for pilots suggests the position is not likely to get better.
I do sympathise with the point about uni students getting loans. When I was a lad, never mind a loan, I got a grant to go to university. And some of my friends got paid by BA to learn to fly at Hamble. You may think I was lucky, but I was so jealous of them. And if you want an ATPL now you've got to pay for it. A couple of friends of mine have got their fATPLs in the last year or two after working for years to save up enough to pay for it (no rich parents), but both are still looking for jobs. I know, life isn't fair.
Well, the best of luck to anyone aiming on a career on the flight deck, but you'd better have a Plan B.
I do sympathise with the point about uni students getting loans. When I was a lad, never mind a loan, I got a grant to go to university. And some of my friends got paid by BA to learn to fly at Hamble. You may think I was lucky, but I was so jealous of them. And if you want an ATPL now you've got to pay for it. A couple of friends of mine have got their fATPLs in the last year or two after working for years to save up enough to pay for it (no rich parents), but both are still looking for jobs. I know, life isn't fair.
Well, the best of luck to anyone aiming on a career on the flight deck, but you'd better have a Plan B.
I would delay the ATPL training. Save up for a deposit on a small city centre appartment, bargains are to be had if you can get the mortgage. Stay there for 5 years or so, then when the market picks up with housing and the airlines (which it will, it always does in the end) sell the gaff and hopefully make enough off of the equity, buy yourself into Oxford and have no debt. And you will still only be about 30 years old. Job's a good'un as they say ! 
P.S Failing that, at least you will have a useful city centre pad and get loads of sha*@ing. Worked for me anyway!
P.S Failing that, at least you will have a useful city centre pad and get loads of sha*@ing. Worked for me anyway!
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Government Funding
A couple of friends of mine have got their fATPLs in the last year or two after working for years to save up enough to pay for it (no rich parents)
Rather than getting angry and frustrated at the (perceived or otherwise) lack of fairness you should take Freda's advice. Work your butt off to make enough money to achieve your dream and if that takes several years then so be it. This is a personal choice for you and in this respect the only person who will make it happen is also you.
Life is never fair but strangely enough those people who refuse to be frustrated by the lack of fairness inevitably make their own destiny and achieve their goals. Go for it, you will find that a positive attitude will stand you in good stead and will certainly get you a better reception on this forum.
Rather than getting angry and frustrated at the (perceived or otherwise) lack of fairness you should take Freda's advice. Work your butt off to make enough money to achieve your dream and if that takes several years then so be it. This is a personal choice for you and in this respect the only person who will make it happen is also you.
Life is never fair but strangely enough those people who refuse to be frustrated by the lack of fairness inevitably make their own destiny and achieve their goals. Go for it, you will find that a positive attitude will stand you in good stead and will certainly get you a better reception on this forum.
