Wannabe questions!
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Wannabe questions!
Hi guys
Well it's getting pretty close to my Year 9 options in secondary school. So I was wondering, which subjects are best to take to GCSE, to become a pilot?
I thought I better take Physics as a definite yes, but what else, I am very good at maths, english and science!
Also I am pretty good at French and German, is this an advantage?
Cheers
mmeteesside
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Well it's getting pretty close to my Year 9 options in secondary school. So I was wondering, which subjects are best to take to GCSE, to become a pilot?
I thought I better take Physics as a definite yes, but what else, I am very good at maths, english and science!
Also I am pretty good at French and German, is this an advantage?
Cheers
mmeteesside
MME Movements
PPRuNe Handmaiden
How many subjects can you pick? (I am not 100% familiar with the UK education system)
Maths is good, likewise English, Science is good too.
Languages are bloody useful on the continent and you're hassling for fuel. French is extremely useful at Paris Charles de Gaulle so you have an idea what's going on around you.
However, pick the subjects that you enjoy and you are likely to get good grades in.
*re languages, go for french over german. The Germans speak very good english so it's not a problem. I rarely hear german spoken on the radio, french, another story.
Maths is good, likewise English, Science is good too.
Languages are bloody useful on the continent and you're hassling for fuel. French is extremely useful at Paris Charles de Gaulle so you have an idea what's going on around you.
However, pick the subjects that you enjoy and you are likely to get good grades in.
*re languages, go for french over german. The Germans speak very good english so it's not a problem. I rarely hear german spoken on the radio, french, another story.
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do what you feel that you will do good in. If you think maths (which isnt optional anyway!) and physics will be easy for you, t hen do it. But remember, 5 A grades in geog, english, IT, graphics blah blah blah will be better than 5 Es in maths, sciences and the like. You need at least 5 C grades at GCSE, and I believe that BA require 7
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I remember when I was in year 9 (cue the violins).
The subjects that are important to flying are (or at least were) the compulsary subjects, such as Science (physics), Maths and English (maybe not as relevant). I had to choose 3 subjects, most of the options that I had, had no relevance to aviation so I choose two that I thought I would enjoy the most. I choose Spanish and Resistant Materials, and the third Geography, because people not in avaition, e.g. parents, seem to think Geography will help you as a pilot. It doesn't at all.
I agree with redsnail and ikea, do the subjects that you feel most comfortable with, though at least maths, physics and English should be included. I say again, the subjects which matter are possibly still compulsary and not an option.
Another factor is the path you intend to take. For sponsorship, airlines will look at GCSE's, so make sure the core subjects are there because sponsorships have a minimum requirement. E.g 5 GCSE's, with grade C or above in English and Maths.
If you intend to pay for the training yourself, then academic qualifications don't matter as much, though a recent GAPAN survey indicates that some airlines like a university entrance level of qualification.
I would get as qualified as possible so that you would be eligable for Sponsorship, but plan in the future to pay for the training yourself as Sponsorships are very competitive.
Hope this helps.
PA28.
The subjects that are important to flying are (or at least were) the compulsary subjects, such as Science (physics), Maths and English (maybe not as relevant). I had to choose 3 subjects, most of the options that I had, had no relevance to aviation so I choose two that I thought I would enjoy the most. I choose Spanish and Resistant Materials, and the third Geography, because people not in avaition, e.g. parents, seem to think Geography will help you as a pilot. It doesn't at all.
I agree with redsnail and ikea, do the subjects that you feel most comfortable with, though at least maths, physics and English should be included. I say again, the subjects which matter are possibly still compulsary and not an option.
Another factor is the path you intend to take. For sponsorship, airlines will look at GCSE's, so make sure the core subjects are there because sponsorships have a minimum requirement. E.g 5 GCSE's, with grade C or above in English and Maths.
If you intend to pay for the training yourself, then academic qualifications don't matter as much, though a recent GAPAN survey indicates that some airlines like a university entrance level of qualification.
I would get as qualified as possible so that you would be eligable for Sponsorship, but plan in the future to pay for the training yourself as Sponsorships are very competitive.
Hope this helps.
PA28.
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Hi,
I just picked up on the previous post mentioning Geography isn't useful to a pilot.
When I were a lad all those years ago in the second half of form three (I'm showing my age now!) I dropped History and chose Geography.
Geography GCSE taught me about the eco system, rain forest, tributries, water tables etc... BUT we also had a module or two on weather systems which is VERY VERY useful to a pilot!
We learnt about air masses and frontal weather, which no where near as much detail for ATPL level certainly helped me a little for my PPL when I revived the information from the grey matter a few years after I finished school (and College / University).
If I can remember correctly I chose the following subjects:
-----
Maths, English and Science (all compulsary)
Music (so I could continue as a flautist in the ochestra)
French (the other option was Welsh which I couldn't wait to drop!)
Geography (other option was History)
Information Technology (there were numerous other options). IT was quite useful as well as we learnt about logic gates AND NOR NOT NAND etc... comes in useful for a few pages of the ATPL techs.
Typing (RSA Level 1, 2) (I wasn't going to be the next Van Gogh and I've been able to touch type since my school days at quite a fast rate so it worked, the FMS keyboard is going to take a bit of getting used to!)
-----
We did have a few other subjects such as R.E., Careers (useless teacher said I should have a more realistic option than becomming a professional pilot), Sports etc but they were not GCSE courses.
Take the advice from the others above, take the options that you feel comfortable with. If you feel you'll do better at needlework (probably not an option) rather than History then take it.
They say GCSE / A Level level knowledge of Maths and Physics helps with ATPL Ground School.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
I just picked up on the previous post mentioning Geography isn't useful to a pilot.
When I were a lad all those years ago in the second half of form three (I'm showing my age now!) I dropped History and chose Geography.
Geography GCSE taught me about the eco system, rain forest, tributries, water tables etc... BUT we also had a module or two on weather systems which is VERY VERY useful to a pilot!
We learnt about air masses and frontal weather, which no where near as much detail for ATPL level certainly helped me a little for my PPL when I revived the information from the grey matter a few years after I finished school (and College / University).
If I can remember correctly I chose the following subjects:
-----
Maths, English and Science (all compulsary)
Music (so I could continue as a flautist in the ochestra)
French (the other option was Welsh which I couldn't wait to drop!)
Geography (other option was History)
Information Technology (there were numerous other options). IT was quite useful as well as we learnt about logic gates AND NOR NOT NAND etc... comes in useful for a few pages of the ATPL techs.
Typing (RSA Level 1, 2) (I wasn't going to be the next Van Gogh and I've been able to touch type since my school days at quite a fast rate so it worked, the FMS keyboard is going to take a bit of getting used to!)
-----
We did have a few other subjects such as R.E., Careers (useless teacher said I should have a more realistic option than becomming a professional pilot), Sports etc but they were not GCSE courses.
Take the advice from the others above, take the options that you feel comfortable with. If you feel you'll do better at needlework (probably not an option) rather than History then take it.
They say GCSE / A Level level knowledge of Maths and Physics helps with ATPL Ground School.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
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Thanks!
Thanks to you all for your advice!
So I guess it's just take what I am good at, and we have to do Eng, Maths, Science and IT anyway, but that shouldn't be a problem, I'm really good at Maths + IT, and good at Science and English!
cheers
mmeteesside
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So I guess it's just take what I am good at, and we have to do Eng, Maths, Science and IT anyway, but that shouldn't be a problem, I'm really good at Maths + IT, and good at Science and English!
cheers
mmeteesside
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Now then young smoggy!
Continuing the theme of advice, I would go with some of the earlier posts recommending languages. At present, you may have noticed the job's market is pants, but there are still vacancies cropping up from time to time. Some of these are for operators on the Continent rather than UK based outfits, and they almost invariably specify some language requirement. Straight away this will rule out many UK pilots as language skills are notoriously poor over here (and I'm one of them).
In a highly competitive employment market, you need to make yourself as employable as possible, and good language skills (whether from formal qualifications or otherwise) will be a valuable weapon in your armoury. Everybody seems to leave school now with umpteen A*'s in Maths, English and so on, so doing well in these alone will not set you apart.
Additionally, think long and hard about extra-curricular activities. It's not all just about qualifications - they serve only to get you through the first level of filtering.
Continuing the theme of advice, I would go with some of the earlier posts recommending languages. At present, you may have noticed the job's market is pants, but there are still vacancies cropping up from time to time. Some of these are for operators on the Continent rather than UK based outfits, and they almost invariably specify some language requirement. Straight away this will rule out many UK pilots as language skills are notoriously poor over here (and I'm one of them).
In a highly competitive employment market, you need to make yourself as employable as possible, and good language skills (whether from formal qualifications or otherwise) will be a valuable weapon in your armoury. Everybody seems to leave school now with umpteen A*'s in Maths, English and so on, so doing well in these alone will not set you apart.
Additionally, think long and hard about extra-curricular activities. It's not all just about qualifications - they serve only to get you through the first level of filtering.
