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

[Groundloop]

You may also want to consider how you are intending to fund your training.

If you want the possibility to be able to apply for any future airline "sponsored/mentored" programmes you will find that, at least at the moment, a lot of them specify Maths and Physics at A-level.

However, if you are able to fully self-fund then they are not that necessary.

[garywoodrow]

I can't fund the training so i guess i'll go do maths and physics. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Thanks again
____
Gary

[gconatyuk]

Whatever you do, do not make the same mistake i made. I opted to study maths and physics at A level for the very reason that i thought airlines would prefer these subjects if i was to ever apply for sponsorship. Shortly after starting the courses i found that i didnt enjoy them, wasn't very good at them and could never possibly afford to self fund my training at such an early age.

At the time i had a complete change of career choice. I decided to apply to join the police service which i did and now, only a few years later, im just about to attend the first stages of assessment with NATS to become an air traffic controller (fingers crossed).

Best of luck whatever you decide but i can't stress how important it is for you to choose subjects you enjoy and subjects you are good at rather than picking them because that is what the airlines prefer. In my experience its about finding the right balance. Choose subjects that are going to give you the best possible chances and leave your career options open.

[Lucifer]

Never ever start a course that is not what you are actually best at doing - the aim is to get the highest A-Level grades possible, and the extra knowledge from A-Level Maths and Physics for ATPL exams is marginal.

What are you good at? Do that.

There are so few who require Maths and Physics that it is not worth bothering to take the risk of a lower result.

[Troy McClure]

A-level physics will be of some use in the ATPL theory exams, the maths involved is no harder than GCSE level. Basic arithmetic, algebra, graph interpretation and a bit of trig, but certainly no calculus (which makes up the bulk of A-level maths).

I found A-Level physics very easy (around 98% overall in the mocks and no doubt similar in the real thing), but maths was a massive learning curve after GCSE. So if you're going to do just one of them, do Physics.

The hardest thing about the ATPL's though is the sheer volume of material to learn.

[david.love]

Advice

Hi, always liked the idea of becoming a commercial pilot but never really researched it until now...
Im 17 and ive just got my AS level results (A in maths, B in chemistry, physics and computer studies). If i wanted to do a degree before becoming a pilot which one should i do? Can i do any and still become a pilot?
Also with someone like me, who will not get any chance to fly before applying, do i stand a chance of getting trained by someone and ultimately what are my chances of becoming a commercial pilot?
Cheers...

[adverse-bump]

try a search mate theres loads on this, i would surgest staying with ur education as long as u can bare it. if u put the effort in u will get a CPL, if ur good an IR, and if u wait long enough u may even get a job!!!

[garywoodrow]

i picked my subjects earlier, i taken Physics, Maths and ICT double award.

reasons for taking physics is basically because i find it interesting, i may not be the best at it, but i do enjoy it. ICT i taken because im a pc wiz, and Maths because its the only other subject my sixth form do that i don't totally hate . I'm also doing a resit in english gcse to get a higher grade.

Just wondering, if anyone knows, say if i fail maths a-level for instance, can i try again later in life. I mean, is it possible to go to college and get A-levels when your say, 26, 35 or whatever? I'm scared that this is my only chance and i'm really scared of failing.

[Lucifer]

Spend a long time reading through some past threads on here, read the BALPA website and the "so you want to be a pilot" brochure produced by GAPAN and the Royal Aeronautical Society.

You are in competition with people who have considered nothing but this career for all their lives, and are prepared to enter upwards of £60k of debt to obtain the relevant training. Since there is little in the way of sponsored training to relieve that burden, do your research well and don't ever start training without having considered your abilities through something such as the GAPAN pilot aptitude tests.

Degrees do not help in an industry in which you have to pay your own way, but considering the numbers of people paying for and struggling to achieve the "dream", you are best advised to consider how you might fund your training or work in a well-paying backup career if plans do not work out, or you lose your medical. i.e. go to university.

[wingbar]

Be thick as 2 short planks, fat and hopeless,

But one thing you must have , and please, rember this, is MONEY, lots of MONEY will get you there, intelligence and qualifications now no longer have anything to do with being a pilot...

JUST loads of cash, so if I was any of you young guys, I'd just drop out of school, (IF your rich)

And don't worry, cos you''ll just have the cash to pay for the training, no entrence exam, its just throw money in.....

WB

[Speed bird 002]

I didnt take any A-levels, i think there rubbish. Thats just my personal opinion. However, i studied a BTEC National Diploma In Aerospace Engineering. I really enjoyed the course has it was a field i would later be entering in. I was taught subjects such as, Gas turbine engines, theory of flight, mass and balance, avionic systems, health and safety, maths and physics that was at A-level standard. other subjects such as, Aerospace Science and mechanical principles. During the second year, i also managed a project where i constructed an aerofoil with a NACA 4412 profile. it was Interesting testing it in the wind tunnel and using set data, to calculate lift/drag and different angles of attack.

Now the reason i was pointing all this out is just to let young students know that it isnt necassary to study A-levels. wouldnt you prefer to study subjects you would later study in the ground school?. Just a thought and if your wondering how well i did, well i got 320 UCAS points when i graduated from the course. Thats 2A'S and B.

Think about it and think again. Then have drink and think for the third time and then decide.

Hayder

[wingbar]

Don't bother work hard and become a doctor

[PAPI-74]

Whatever you read, get into the UAS (University Air Squadron) as this is free flying and it's good flying at that. Look up which Universities have this. You will have to commit to it and work just as hard as on your degree though, but you will learn formation flying and aero's.
What about Aeronautical Engineering?
You could end up a test pilot.

[garywoodrow]

money is not something i have much of, so i need the a-levels to get a sponsership.

[PAPI-74]

Go for it, but don't count on it. Loads of grads. are applying too. Try the forces as well or do up a few houses and as mentioned....feed it cash.

[shetland23]

Importance of a college degree in getting a job

Hi
With regards to landing a job as a pilot, how much importance is placed on a post secondary school education, ie uni or college degree?
I do not have an undergraduate degree and about to embark on a commercial pilot licence training, and wondering if I am competitive in the job field.
What do you think?
Would not having a college degree be an issue in the UK and or Canada?
Regards

"There are three main ingredients in qualifying for an aviation job: general education, specialized aviation training and work experience. A post secondary school general education proves you are trainable, specialized aviation training qualifies you for a particular job and work experience proves you can do the job. In terms of getting hired, the three ingredients are equally important."

(from: http://www.pilottraining.ca/site/learn-to-fly/ )

[Trismegistro]

Sciencie or Engineering?

Hi all, was thinking about doing a bachelor of Business Science, but i saw in other pilot forum that a guy ask almost the same as me, and they told him that any kind of engineering is much better from an airline point of view, is this true??

Thanks

[mikethebest22]

Uni or Directly to OATS

Hi i am 19 years old, just completed a year out working and travelling and have been accepted at several universities yet confirmed my place at liverpool studying avionic systems with pilot studies. I am concerned whether or not to go directly to OAT, having been provissionally accepted with a few minor improvements, or to go to uni, get that valuable life experince aswel as team skills etc. however in doing so my debt will be huge especially after completing the oat course. i am just looking for a professional opinion on what will be the best option LONG TERM. will not going to uni affect me in years to come?

[mikethebest22]

course price

someone jus asked me about teh course. it is 3000 a year and its a 3/4 year course, plus 3000 living a year adds up to alot then to have to take on a loan for the oats course. is it even possible without getting a job after uni before going to oats

[flash8]

Today, degrees hold a lot less worth than even 10 years ago. I'd go through your fATPL, and then gain exemptions from a Degree based upon your theory exams. It is possible I believe. I heard of one guy with a fATPL that entered directly into the final year of an Avionics Degree.

Whilst your RHS on the 737 you won't be thinking about getting a degree I assure you.

Anyway get to fly long haul and study for a distance learning degree in the cruise