Education: What A Levels and Degree (if any)?!(Apr '09)

[captwannabe]

captain Binns,
I think the website for flying squadrons is www.aircadets.org

Freakin89,
On the careers website (www.rafcareers.com), it says the bond lasts between 6 and 12 years depending on your chosen job. I presume if you're a pilot, you'll be bonded for the full 12 years. If they put their money into training you, of course you'll be expected to stay. If you don't want to spend a few years in a secure job then don't join. To contrast, The Irish Air Corps want to bond people for 15 years now instead of 12 years.

[captwannabe]

Capt Pit Bull,

It's always possible to train for a degree when you are a qualified pilot, either through distance learning or part-time study.

[Capt Pit Bull]

It's always possible to train for a degree when you are a qualified pilot, either through distance learning or part-time study.

I'm sure it is possible, but whilst I know folks who have done it, the line pilot lifestyle is not particularly conducive.

pb

[freakin89]

Okay so you guys are dead against the RAF idea. Fair enough.
And as for science, what kind of level dyou have to be, would you say? Like is the current GCSE standard good enough (I personally doubt it)?
I never said I was bad at science, I'm actually pretty good, I just can't stand the way it's been taught to me. Same goes for maths.
And "By rote"!?!?!?! Please enlighten my poor brain.

[Capt Pit Bull]

Learning by rote
pb

[captwannabe]

Originally Posted by freakin89

Okay so you guys are dead against the RAF idea

I never said I was against the RAF idea, but if you don't want to spend around 12 years or more there, why join in the first place? If you're not committed to them, why would they train you at their expense? I think that was also the point Capt Pit Bull was making???

[freakin89]

okay okay i didn't mean to incur the wrath of you guys
in actual truth, as much as I like the idea of a free education, I would never want to stay somewhere for twelve years without an option of moving to somewhere new. It's different with other jobs because you have the choice to move when you want and I wouldn't like being committed to somewhere for 12 years, no ways out.
so apologies for reading your words wrong.

[captwannabe]

I didn't mean to come across sounding harsh, but you would have to be committed to work for the RAF.

[chrisbl]

Originally Posted by Capt Pit Bull

A few observations.
If you struggle with Physics to AS level, you are going to have a struggle with the ATPL theory. If you are dropping physics now, all you are doing is postponing the need to understand it.

With all due respect I do not agree. My best on physics and maths was to O level (shows how old I am ) unless you are saying that an AS level is the equivilent of the old O level.The ATPL stuff is a piece of piss. There is a lot of it without a doubt, but it is not rocket science - thats what engineers do. They are the clever buggers. Piloting seems to be more of a systems technician job than anything else, perhaps systems operative is more correct. The technician needs to know more.

However employers are entitled to set any educational requiremnts they want for their employees. The ATPL is not the educatiional driver its employer requirements.

Someone commente on another thread how demotivating it was as a pilot to be paid less than some cabin crew. No mystery really. Cabin crew deal with the customer and make a difference as to peoples choices on their next trip. They earn the airlines money.

Look at it like this.

Airports - all airlines use the same airports
Aircraft - all use the same aircraft
Pilots - All with the same licences mostly invisible
Cabin Crew - the articulation of the airline - noticable difference across airlines.
In flight Service - variable depending on CC

Foreget being a pilot go for CC.

[scroggs]

freakin89 Done some research, you say? Read this thread. In full. If it bores you (as so much seems to), try another career.

chrisbl I don't know what your experience is (you are very coy about it on your profile) but your opinions suggest it has not had much to do with commercial flying. Almost everything you've said in your post above is BS. Age, unfortunately, does not necessarily bring wisdom

Scroggs

[Lucifer]

Chris - your older posts suggest you are an accountant who has just started at Oxford. I think you should wait to complete Oxford before you comment on the simplicity or not of the ATPLs, as you give the distorted view here that you have done them all.

[Capt Pit Bull]

Chrisbl,

My best on physics and maths was to O level (shows how old I am ) unless you are saying that an AS level is the equivilent of the old O level.

Maths I couldn't (and didn't) comment on.

In broad terms (as far as Physics goes) yes. The subject content is a bit different, depending on exam board, but these days you can get science GCSE without really understanding any algebra at all. That means you are into rote memorisation of all kinds of stuff in the ATPLs. Whilst that is certainly doable, it makes it a hard slog. Its hugely easier if you have a basic facility with geometry, algebra and arithmetic.

I have successfully taught students who were borderline inumerate to pass their ATPLs but make no mistake, its hard!

Don't believe any governmental bollocks about educational standards rising, modern GCSEs aren't a patch on O levels. Most of the kids I teach will not even attempt a calculation without a calculator, even if you arrange the numbers to be very easy (e.g. multiply or divide by 10, that kind of thing).

pb

(ps - although I do agree with you in that IF you have the correct education, most of the ATPLs are a piece of piss)

[Felix Saddler]

I did my GCSE's last year and im now finished my AS. GCSE's are an absolute joke as to how easy they are. I was predicted all D's and C's as i did as little work as possible and completely lacked in effort. The reason for this was because they, meaning GCSE's were not a challenge and pretty basic. When i had finished all my exams and it came to results day i went into school and picked up my results, 6A*s and 8A's, the A*s in Science Double award, maths, Geography, English Lit, English Language. My teachers were gobsmacked!!

[kuwait340]

aviation degree

hello all ....

is there any ideas......regarding studying an aviation degree related to safety management ...but i want a well known college that can offer online degree...or even modular where i can attend some days during the year...but not a full time course.

i heared that the CAA have some courses regarding that matter...is it true ?

is the CAA conducting any courses what so ever for this matter ?

thanks

[XL319]

have a look at cabair they are in partnertship with Kingston Uni and also Buckingshire Chilton College, however be warned they want £3k per year on top of your ATPL training. I for one can't see the point of it (in my opinion) as you dont need a degree to qualify.

[cortilla]

Have a look at cranfield university (funnily enough cabair use their grounds). They have some excellent post grad courses.

[Groundloop]

Originally Posted by XL319

have a look at cabair they are in partnertship with Kingston Uni and also Buckingshire Chilton College, however be warned they want £3k per year on top of your ATPL training. I for one can't see the point of it (in my opinion) as you dont need a degree to qualify.

XL319, the partnerships you are referring to have got nothing to do with part-time or distance learning courses in safety management - which is what the thread starter was asking about!
Kuwait340, depending on your existing qualifications this may be of interest
http://www.city.ac.uk/sems/postgraduate/asm/index.html

[garywoodrow]

Qualifications...

Hi, I have just got my GCSE results and I am now deciding what A-Levels to take. I seem to remember reading that to be an airline pilot you need A-Levels in Maths and Physics. Just recently I noticed EasyJet and CTC do not mention Maths nor Physics anymore, just 2 A-levels. They do not specify Maths nor Physics.

Am i wrong by saying I will not need Maths or Physics if I want to join EasyJet for example and their sponsership scheme?

I'm just looking for some advice

____
Gary

[edymonster]

Well what i would advise is pick some A Levels that you want to do and are good at. If an airline were to go and look at your A Levels i am sure they would rather see some top grades in something you are interested in than seeing some below average grades in subjects that you did not enjoy. It is not essential to have maths or physics to be an airline pilot, however they may come in use when you come to do your ATPL theory as some subjects covered use similar types of methods.

Regards

[Wadadli]

I Agree with Edymonster. Maths and Physics might not be a requirement , but are of great help in understanding everything from Meteorology and Navigation to Aerodynamics and Jet Engines.

All the best,

Wadadli