Academic Qualifications

[TheHustler]

Sod the grades jut lie on your Cv! I did and it worked wonders for me at interview!

[Jinkster]

I would recomment doing Science, English, Maths, Geography and anything else you are particulary good at.

Also - out of school activities, Air Training Corps (learn lots about aircraft and get to fly for free) and Duke Edinburghs Award - all these will definately help.

All the best and good luck

Jinkster

[REvans]

mmeteesside,

I was in a simular position to you a few month's ago, Ive just started Y10. I did a bit of research before I chose my options and came up with pretty much what everyone else has said. For GCSE, they are more interested in how many A-C's youve got rather than what they are in, and the couple that they are interested in are compulsery anyway. They take a little more notice of subjects and grades on the A levels however, like Obs Cop said I think Maths & Physics are the way to go.

Have a read of this: http://www.gapan.org/career/survey.htm it gives you a very good idea of what airlines are looking for, you will see that 'Education' is 7th most important on the list with Team Working skills been 1st. Which means that if your determined enough you shouldnt let the odd dodgy grade put you off.

One last thing, if you can try to start flying lessons working towards your PPL, if you can put on your CV that you got a PPL at a relatively young age it will show both flying skills and that youve always wanted to be a pilot from a young age.


We will get there someday, all the best.

[Obs cop]

Jinkster has a very valid point.

I did ATC, Duke of Edinburgh, martial arts and had a part time job. Whilst it kept me very busy, it certainly gave me plenty to talk about when I had my Admiralty Interview Board for the Royal Navy (which I managed to pass first time at 18 years old).

Don't underestimate the value of extra-curricular activities, but just make sure they do not detract from your mainstream studies!

Obs cop

[scroggs]

Obs Cop, your facts re military pilots' qualifications are wrong, at least for the Navy and RAF. For these you will need at least two A-levels, as well as the five GCSE's, which must include Maths and English, at grade C or higher. A degree is not yet required, but may well be before long.

I'm not so familiar with Army requirements, but I'm sure their website will provide the latest info. As Army pilots need not be commissioned (and may spend a very short part of their career in aviation), I would expect the minimum qualifications to be lower.

Scroggs

RAF Careers website - pilot

[Obs cop]

Scroggs,

Thanks, you didn't need A Levels when I joined the Navy as an aircrew officer although most had them anyway. My apologies, I stand corrected.

Obs cop

[pietz]

Academic qualifications for airline jobs

Could anyone please tell me whether there are any hard and fast requirements (qualifications other than flight experience/ratings/licences etc) for pilots seeking jobs with airlines?
I have noticed that with a number of airlines which offer sponsorship schemes, you require certain academic qualifications. I am not able to apply to these schemes as I don't quite meet the requirements, (by 1/2 an A level) although I am now funding my training myself inorder to reach fATPL.
Would I then have trouble getting a job due to the academic qualifications, although I would meet the licence etc. requirements?

Any help and advice would be greatly received!

[Pilot Pete]

It is on a sliding scale really, certainly here in the UK. If you apply for sponsorship you will need at least A levels and probably a degree because the competition is so stiff. If you pay for your own training and are a little older, you can make up for a lack in academic qualifications by way of experience. Perhaps you have worked in a career and built up a track record for several years and now have good teamwork, management, leadership and other 'life' skills which a young academic may not have gained yet. This counts for a lot in the eyes of the airline recruiters, as does flying experience, so the more hours you have and the larger the aircraft you have flown, coupled with your 'life' experience, the less you need to focus on any academic failings earlier in life.

Don't get me wrong though, you still need to be able to handle basic Maths and English as some airlines will test you on these, but I wouldn't worry too much as many degree students are failing these airline tests....................do make sure your basics are good no matter what level of qualification you hold.

Hope this helps

PP

ps. I didn't get any A levels or degree and I've done alright.

[p.savage]

I agree with Pilot Pete. It's important that you have a good understanding, perhaps to GCSE standard of Maths, English and the Sciences. This will always be helpful.

Just to add another point to Pilot Pete's, if you are a young pilot qualified at 20 to 23 for example, airlines will look at this objectively. ie. you must have been doing something right!

Paul Savage

[Daniel_109]

Qualifications

Can anyone give me the actual school qualifications needed to become a commercial pilot in ireland??
Cheers,
Danny

[flight_height]

Qualifications

Hi,
I have been seriously considering training to become a pilot in recent years, do airlines require any minimum educational qualifications (i.e. 5 GCSE minimum and A-Levels)? or do they only look for the relevant flying licenses and experience?
Thanks a lot

[YYZ]

They only look at the qualifications if you were going through there sponsorship scheme, as this is very unlikely these days & you will probably be self funded it will not be a problem.

People who pay for themselves have allot of motivation therefore past educational experiences do not count, pass all the exams & tests required for employment & you’re as attractive as the next candidate.
YYZ

[flight_height]

Yes, I thought as much.
Thanks a lot for the feedback, much appreciated.

[fhchiang]

YEAR 11 Or YEAR 12(A-Levels)

hello..

i planning to do flight training in Australia...


now i see some schools only require a Year 11( 'O' Levels)

i'm taking my O levels at the end of this year...

i'm thinking whether i should take A-levels first,

or go straight to training with 'O' levels?

[Andy_20]

acedemic qualifications?

How important are acedemic qualifications? When going for a job what would the airline company be looking for mostly; acemdemic qualifications or flying experience?

Regards...

[AIRWAY]

I believe they would first look at your flying experience then qualifications... You never know, some airlines are not concern too much about qualifications, some are.

[j_davey]

im hoping that they do acount for something, i`d like to get some kinda use out of my degree.....

[Andy_20]

Well the thing is.... i have 5 gcses A-C, an NVQ L3 in Aeronautical engineering and a btec in Aeronautical engineering, just kinda worried that i dont have full alevels just equivalents!

Think id have a problem?

[VFE]

I only have GCSE's.

Plenty of pilots out there with similar but there are many more who are over qualified with degree's.

VFE.

[AIRWAY]

I also have GCSE's plus an NVQ and now doing a diploma. I had to make a decision so i decided to go half way and get a Diploma instead of a degree, the lenght of study is lower than a degree and not has hard, so i'm able to combine the study and flying together.

Like VFE has stated, plenty of pilots out there with basic qualifications and plenty with degrees, some airlines will look at you and say that you are over qualified, some will look at you and say that you are not qualified enough, and others will say great you a meet our requirements.

But the most ridiculous story i heard up to date was not regarding the academic experience, but a recruiter of a certain airline telling someone: "Oh your over qualified for this flying postion" ( in terms of flying hours )

No pleasing no one in this industry, so you just have to keep trying.