Wannabe a pilot! (And I'm too damn lazy to do a search)
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How do I start?
I am very interested in becoming a pilot, I have read the forums but most people seem to be already aware of the basic routes in to the industry, so its not discussed much on these pages.Could somebody give me a run down of all the options available. ie where, when , how much. Thanks guys.
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The best route is to select exceedingly rich parents to begin with and start at age 18 or so. Then, your only problem is how to enjoy life when you have been doing the job for 10 years.
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Hi
There are two general ways of gaining your commercial pilots licence;
Integrated route or Modular route.
1) Integrated Training involves around a year or more of intense study to gain your commercial pilots licence. You study for your PPL (Private Pilot's Licence), IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) rating, Night rating. Then you will complete your studies for your ATPL (AirLine Transport Pilots Licence) theory exams. After having done this you will study for your CPL (Commercial Pilots Licence), MER (Multi-Engine Rating) and finally your IR (Instrument rating). Oh yes, you will also need to complete 100 hours flying between your PPL and ATPL training. Oh and I also forgot to mention the exams, which you will also have to fork out for, which range from about £55 each for the ATPL exams to £1350 for the Instrument rating. (Based on Oxford Aviation Training 2005 prices).
This, depending upon where you train will cost around £60,000.
However, there is a cheaper option.
2) Modular Training involves you gaining your PPL first, then your IMC rating, Night rating, etc. You can study for these in the UK or you can study for these in the states where the flying is cheaper (although some people may argue about the merits of USA flying training - but that's where I want to do my initial training).
Having completed this training you can then study for your ATPL exams either by distance learning (around a year) or you can go to a training provider such as Oxford to study for the exams in around 20 weeks. You will also have to complete 100 hours private flying before you go on to study for your CPL, MER and IR.
This will cost around £30,000.
But don't quote me, as I haven't begun my training yet myself, but this is what I have researched so far.
Hope this helps?
There are quite a few training providers in the UK, such as Oxford, Bristol, but to name a few. If you do a search of 'ATPL training UK' on the internet, it will bring up lots of options for you. You don't necessarily have to study at a top training provider who ask for large sums of money, as based upon my husband's words (who has completed his studies and is now flying commercially) no amount of money will guarantee you a job in avaition (much to my depression)!
Integrated route or Modular route.
1) Integrated Training involves around a year or more of intense study to gain your commercial pilots licence. You study for your PPL (Private Pilot's Licence), IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) rating, Night rating. Then you will complete your studies for your ATPL (AirLine Transport Pilots Licence) theory exams. After having done this you will study for your CPL (Commercial Pilots Licence), MER (Multi-Engine Rating) and finally your IR (Instrument rating). Oh yes, you will also need to complete 100 hours flying between your PPL and ATPL training. Oh and I also forgot to mention the exams, which you will also have to fork out for, which range from about £55 each for the ATPL exams to £1350 for the Instrument rating. (Based on Oxford Aviation Training 2005 prices).
This, depending upon where you train will cost around £60,000.
However, there is a cheaper option.
2) Modular Training involves you gaining your PPL first, then your IMC rating, Night rating, etc. You can study for these in the UK or you can study for these in the states where the flying is cheaper (although some people may argue about the merits of USA flying training - but that's where I want to do my initial training).
Having completed this training you can then study for your ATPL exams either by distance learning (around a year) or you can go to a training provider such as Oxford to study for the exams in around 20 weeks. You will also have to complete 100 hours private flying before you go on to study for your CPL, MER and IR.
This will cost around £30,000.
But don't quote me, as I haven't begun my training yet myself, but this is what I have researched so far.
Hope this helps?
There are quite a few training providers in the UK, such as Oxford, Bristol, but to name a few. If you do a search of 'ATPL training UK' on the internet, it will bring up lots of options for you. You don't necessarily have to study at a top training provider who ask for large sums of money, as based upon my husband's words (who has completed his studies and is now flying commercially) no amount of money will guarantee you a job in avaition (much to my depression)!
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Read the links I posted at the beginning of this thread. They are the three 'sticky' topics at the top of the two Wannabes forums. Within them is pretty much all the information you need.
Scroggs
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Wannabe a pilot! (merged)
Hi everyone,
to be honest I don“t really know how to start this thread, I just know I feel down cause I“m starting to realize that the industry I“ve always wanted to join ( as a Pilot) isn“t as reachable as I thought.
I want to be a pilot since I can remember, I don“t really know why cause I don“t have anyone in the family who has been in the flying industry or something like that, I just know that since I was a kid I made my father take me to the nearest airport (which is quite far) to watch those big birds...
Unfortunely I wasn“t born in a rich family so although everyone knew what little Bruno wanted for his life, no one really toke it serious, so it“s been me alone all this years dreaming and researching on how to become a Commercial Pilot. I managed to start working and studying to save money to get my licenses although I wasn“t aware of how much money it would take
Anyway I managed to save something like 12 000 euros, so this year, I got in university and decided to start my PPL aswell... And this is exactly the problem, now that I“ve started I realized how hard it is to get anywhere in this industry, specially when you are not rich and don“t know "influent" people in it ( which is me)
I never thought I would stop loving aviation but to be honest I“m starting to regreat having started my PPL cause it“s going to take almost all my savings and it“s almost a guarantee I won“t be flying any Airbus or Boeing for a living...
I see now that I was a bit foolish to start something I couldn“t finish...
So, if anyone has experienced similar difficulties and managed to get somewhere, I would love to hear about it. Cause right now I just think it was a terrible mistake to start the PPL and spend all my money in vain...
Thank you all and good luck to whatever you do!
to be honest I don“t really know how to start this thread, I just know I feel down cause I“m starting to realize that the industry I“ve always wanted to join ( as a Pilot) isn“t as reachable as I thought.
I want to be a pilot since I can remember, I don“t really know why cause I don“t have anyone in the family who has been in the flying industry or something like that, I just know that since I was a kid I made my father take me to the nearest airport (which is quite far) to watch those big birds...
Unfortunely I wasn“t born in a rich family so although everyone knew what little Bruno wanted for his life, no one really toke it serious, so it“s been me alone all this years dreaming and researching on how to become a Commercial Pilot. I managed to start working and studying to save money to get my licenses although I wasn“t aware of how much money it would take
Anyway I managed to save something like 12 000 euros, so this year, I got in university and decided to start my PPL aswell... And this is exactly the problem, now that I“ve started I realized how hard it is to get anywhere in this industry, specially when you are not rich and don“t know "influent" people in it ( which is me)
I never thought I would stop loving aviation but to be honest I“m starting to regreat having started my PPL cause it“s going to take almost all my savings and it“s almost a guarantee I won“t be flying any Airbus or Boeing for a living...
I see now that I was a bit foolish to start something I couldn“t finish...
So, if anyone has experienced similar difficulties and managed to get somewhere, I would love to hear about it. Cause right now I just think it was a terrible mistake to start the PPL and spend all my money in vain...
Thank you all and good luck to whatever you do!
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Bruno,
The problem of becoming a pilot is that it takes up your life. All we do is eat, sleep and poop aviation. Once it's in your blood I'm afraid you can't go back.
Personally, I couldn't afford to be a pilot when I was your age. I had to work a really crappy IT job for 7 years before I had enough saved to pay for my training. Mind you, once I had the necessary cash I was out the door quicker than a scolded cat. What kept me going through the training was that I was determined not to have to go back to IT.
Anyway, what I'm trying to get at in a roundabout way is that it's not easy. You will have days when you wonder what on earth you are wasting you money for. This whole website is full of people who have gone through the mill, had the same questions you have right now and ended up flying round the skies for a living.
The problem of becoming a pilot is that it takes up your life. All we do is eat, sleep and poop aviation. Once it's in your blood I'm afraid you can't go back.
Personally, I couldn't afford to be a pilot when I was your age. I had to work a really crappy IT job for 7 years before I had enough saved to pay for my training. Mind you, once I had the necessary cash I was out the door quicker than a scolded cat. What kept me going through the training was that I was determined not to have to go back to IT.
Anyway, what I'm trying to get at in a roundabout way is that it's not easy. You will have days when you wonder what on earth you are wasting you money for. This whole website is full of people who have gone through the mill, had the same questions you have right now and ended up flying round the skies for a living.
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Its certainly not easy, but not impossible... One step at a time!
After I finished my ppl I didnt have much money either. One day something just clicked. So I stopped the bar thing bla bla, and I started working my ass off (a lot of overtime), I became really, and I mean really stingy (no drinking was a number one), and well Im now doing the exams and hopefully soon enough I will have most of the money I need, to finish the flying, side of things.
I wish I had the money to do the whole thing at once, and not have to work at the same time, but its life. I guess!!!
It doesnt matter how long it takes. Im sure if that is what you want, you will get it!
After I finished my ppl I didnt have much money either. One day something just clicked. So I stopped the bar thing bla bla, and I started working my ass off (a lot of overtime), I became really, and I mean really stingy (no drinking was a number one), and well Im now doing the exams and hopefully soon enough I will have most of the money I need, to finish the flying, side of things.
I wish I had the money to do the whole thing at once, and not have to work at the same time, but its life. I guess!!!
It doesnt matter how long it takes. Im sure if that is what you want, you will get it!
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I am not rich, did my PPL, just finishing ATPL's, am 37 and will have blown EVERY cent I have and then some to become a pilot.........with no guarantees. HArdest yet best time I have ever had....moments of Joy and moments of sheer frustration ( inc almost being in tears during ATPLs, thinking I was not smart enough for it all ) etc etc etc and every emotion possible in between, but I'm still here and going through iy everyday. Will I make it, probably....maybe not, but I'll give it my best shot! Getting your PPL was not a mistake, if you choose to go on, great, if not getting it is still a MAJOR achievemnt and somthing to be very proud of. If you want it badly enough, keep going and best of luck!!!
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Follow the dream!
Bruno,
Don't give up - anything worth achieving is worth struggling for.
Yes, it costs money. Yes, it takes time and effort. Yes, there are going to be times when you say "phooey, I'm going to take up surfing!"
Stick with it - it is worth it 10,000 times over.
You say you have saved 12,000 Euros and don't think that's enough - for a PPL (which is the first, biggest and most vital step) it definitely is. There are any number of flight schools, domestic and overseas, where you can get the PPL for way less than that.
As GusHoneybun said (more or less) once the aviation bug bites, you're in it for life. Personally, I consider aviation a disease for which I hope there is no cure.
Most important is this - ask yourself if some day, far in the future when you are an old, old man, do you want to say to yourself "I wish I had gotten my pilot's license back when I still could."? Go out there and do it - whatever it takes it is worth it.
Best Regards,
EchoMike (PPL since 1979)
Don't give up - anything worth achieving is worth struggling for.
Yes, it costs money. Yes, it takes time and effort. Yes, there are going to be times when you say "phooey, I'm going to take up surfing!"
Stick with it - it is worth it 10,000 times over.
You say you have saved 12,000 Euros and don't think that's enough - for a PPL (which is the first, biggest and most vital step) it definitely is. There are any number of flight schools, domestic and overseas, where you can get the PPL for way less than that.
As GusHoneybun said (more or less) once the aviation bug bites, you're in it for life. Personally, I consider aviation a disease for which I hope there is no cure.
Most important is this - ask yourself if some day, far in the future when you are an old, old man, do you want to say to yourself "I wish I had gotten my pilot's license back when I still could."? Go out there and do it - whatever it takes it is worth it.
Best Regards,
EchoMike (PPL since 1979)
PPRuNe Co-Pilot
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Once it's in your blood I'm afraid you can't go back.
Just go ahead with your PPL it is worth it you will see, and at the end just evaluate your options and take it from there.
If you think it is hard now just wait until the latter stages of training, and the financial burden. Persistance and willingness are key factors if one wants to persue a career in aviation which in itself presents many challenges along the way.
Like a previous member said, one step at the time, you can't climb 5 steps at once, only one by one.
Think Positive, where there is a will there is a way.
PS - Let's hope A320Rider doesn't read this.
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Hi,
Everyone has doubts if they can do it or not. A ppl is an excellent start to your training, and then when you have the money gradually start doing more: hrs building, qualifications, etc, and before you know it you will have a FAPTL and be ready to get a job, in the industry you have always wanted to work in.
Although the path there will not be easy, it is possible, many people have done it, and are now in successful jobs. It may take 3-4yrs, but that is such a short period of time when you consider you will be in the industy for many more years!!
Live Your Dreams, because one day you may look back and regret you didnt.
All the best and good luck.
Everyone has doubts if they can do it or not. A ppl is an excellent start to your training, and then when you have the money gradually start doing more: hrs building, qualifications, etc, and before you know it you will have a FAPTL and be ready to get a job, in the industry you have always wanted to work in.
Although the path there will not be easy, it is possible, many people have done it, and are now in successful jobs. It may take 3-4yrs, but that is such a short period of time when you consider you will be in the industy for many more years!!
Live Your Dreams, because one day you may look back and regret you didnt.
All the best and good luck.
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Wannabe a pilot! (merged)
Does anyone out there know if such a thing exists. Showing you how to get from ppl or even ab initio through to atpl. Maybe showing you all the options avaliable along the way?
If it doesn't exist how many of you fellow pilots think it would be a good idea?
If it doesn't exist how many of you fellow pilots think it would be a good idea?
The Cooler King
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There was a guy on here last year who was writing a series of "How To...." books - one of them was how to identify 100 trees in a weekend or something insane like that.
He was also planning on doing one on how to take the controls of a jet plane should the crew become incapacitated.....hence him getting laughed off this forum.
Maybe he's managed to publish it though - and might be interested in your idea.
He was also planning on doing one on how to take the controls of a jet plane should the crew become incapacitated.....hence him getting laughed off this forum.
Maybe he's managed to publish it though - and might be interested in your idea.
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There are a few books available, "Guide to becoming an Airline Pilot" by Clive Hughes and "Zero to FO". Don't know if these are the exact titles and authors as I am not at home at the moment and cant check, and the second one I don't know if it is still available (the big red one), they contain all the information you need. Unfortunately I dont know of any DVD that outlines the process.
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I believe if you log onto bristol gs site they are offering a free cd rom about becoming a professional pilot , Not seen it not spoken to anyone who has but have a look its on their homepage let us know
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Yea, just give em a ring...
"If you'd like to talk to us about your training requirements, or order our free CD-ROM guide to becoming a professional pilot, please call Noush or Jaqueline on +44 (0)1934 744944."
Best of luck...
Jay
"If you'd like to talk to us about your training requirements, or order our free CD-ROM guide to becoming a professional pilot, please call Noush or Jaqueline on +44 (0)1934 744944."
Best of luck...
Jay
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How to become a commercial airline pilot.
Hello all,
I am just seeking a bit of advice. Currently, I'm completing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering however I would like to take up a career as a commercial airline pilot. Having done previous flying at both a private school of flying and in the RAF (univeristies air squadron), I believe this will help me as a starting point.
I am asking as to the best route to make it as a pilot, whether to self-sponsor yourself (really expensive!) or to try and get a sponsorship. Ideally in the future I's wish to be a pilot for an airline such as BA or Emirates.
If anyone has some good advice as to the best way to get there, please let me know. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
I am just seeking a bit of advice. Currently, I'm completing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering however I would like to take up a career as a commercial airline pilot. Having done previous flying at both a private school of flying and in the RAF (univeristies air squadron), I believe this will help me as a starting point.
I am asking as to the best route to make it as a pilot, whether to self-sponsor yourself (really expensive!) or to try and get a sponsorship. Ideally in the future I's wish to be a pilot for an airline such as BA or Emirates.
If anyone has some good advice as to the best way to get there, please let me know. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.