Running out of time?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Wessex!
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Running out of time?
Firstly Hello to all PPRuNers, I've been "lurking" here for quite some time and finally have a question no one has answered (although I'm sure someone might prove me wrong?)
I'm 25 and have been doing the occasional flight every now and then since I was 18. I would dearly love to have an ATPL in my pocket, but I have now given up that I am not going to inherit my grandmothers fortune any time soon (yes I know it’s a morbid thought, and I certainly do not wish her ill. However I was being realistic, being that its my only possible chance of funding training) I do not have any GCSE’s (at C or above anyways) given that I was pretty much a twit when I was 16 and decided my love life was more important. I scrapped a few E’s and F’s but that’s about it.
Now am thinking sponsorship is my only possibility of getting those wings, but I read that they don’t take anyone over 30. Getting 5 GCSE’s and 2 A-levels now is going to be quite tight seeing as I can’t afford to take time of work for full time education. What should I aim for, should I consider the degree, should I just get GCSE’s and hope that’s enough?
I live in Dorset, however my parents live in Jerez (convenient for FTE eh). I speak French, and can "get by" in spanish, and am also thinking at learning another language to boost my chances as I am very good at learning them quickly.
I'm 25 and have been doing the occasional flight every now and then since I was 18. I would dearly love to have an ATPL in my pocket, but I have now given up that I am not going to inherit my grandmothers fortune any time soon (yes I know it’s a morbid thought, and I certainly do not wish her ill. However I was being realistic, being that its my only possible chance of funding training) I do not have any GCSE’s (at C or above anyways) given that I was pretty much a twit when I was 16 and decided my love life was more important. I scrapped a few E’s and F’s but that’s about it.
Now am thinking sponsorship is my only possibility of getting those wings, but I read that they don’t take anyone over 30. Getting 5 GCSE’s and 2 A-levels now is going to be quite tight seeing as I can’t afford to take time of work for full time education. What should I aim for, should I consider the degree, should I just get GCSE’s and hope that’s enough?
I live in Dorset, however my parents live in Jerez (convenient for FTE eh). I speak French, and can "get by" in spanish, and am also thinking at learning another language to boost my chances as I am very good at learning them quickly.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will be blunt with you,
The competition for any sort of sponsorship / mentorship is very tough, as I am sure you are aware. Without any grades you will find it very very hard to make it to stage 2 of any schemes, let alone the later stages. By law companies are not allowed to 'set' age limits / barriers on applications but yes you may be right in thinking they would prefer someone the age of 22 then a applicant who is aged 30+.
Next what concerned me is that, I am not exactly sure how you cant afford the time off to do GCSE's but are considering doing a degree? The time, money required would be much greater.
Possibly take a look at foundation degrees ? Might be one route but I am unsure of costs. Correspondance HND / A-Level learning?
I imagine there will be more replys to come, all the best.
The competition for any sort of sponsorship / mentorship is very tough, as I am sure you are aware. Without any grades you will find it very very hard to make it to stage 2 of any schemes, let alone the later stages. By law companies are not allowed to 'set' age limits / barriers on applications but yes you may be right in thinking they would prefer someone the age of 22 then a applicant who is aged 30+.
Next what concerned me is that, I am not exactly sure how you cant afford the time off to do GCSE's but are considering doing a degree? The time, money required would be much greater.
Possibly take a look at foundation degrees ? Might be one route but I am unsure of costs. Correspondance HND / A-Level learning?
I imagine there will be more replys to come, all the best.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South Wales
Age: 42
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loads of people 30+ are landing jobs with jet operators here
People will drum it into you that you don't need any qualifications to be a pilot just a class 1 medical, fATPL and possibly a Type Rating - I think it's a little different, having E's and F's on your CV isn't going to woo the airlines or any sponsors for that matter.
You're 25, around the same age as me. Take a look at this thread about having a degree.
Maybe save your money toward training and sit an A' level in Maths and Physics. This will give you a good grounding for your ATPL exams and should take the emphasis off the bad GCSE grades?
If you're planning on going to Jerez then you're looking at £65k+ (I think).
Good luck.
People will drum it into you that you don't need any qualifications to be a pilot just a class 1 medical, fATPL and possibly a Type Rating - I think it's a little different, having E's and F's on your CV isn't going to woo the airlines or any sponsors for that matter.
You're 25, around the same age as me. Take a look at this thread about having a degree.
Maybe save your money toward training and sit an A' level in Maths and Physics. This will give you a good grounding for your ATPL exams and should take the emphasis off the bad GCSE grades?
If you're planning on going to Jerez then you're looking at £65k+ (I think).
Good luck.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South East of the North West corner
Age: 39
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am yet to start training, but if I may say, I myself until last year needed to get My GCSE Maths and Physics to grade C or above. My job allows me virtually no time for anything, but I was able to get in a full time GCSE course because it was only one day a week and 4 hours on that day. It can be done and remember there is certain legislation in place regarding adults requiring time off work for study.
There are ways in obtaining the money for your training, even if that means doing each part as and when you can afford it, which is where the modular route is the most popular. Also if you have too, look outside the UK, there are many places where you can do your ATPL at a good price and return and convert.
Finally, sometimes where Qualifications are lacking, a good background with work experience etc can make up and even occasionally give you an advantage over somebodys A Level or degree.
If you speak French then that will be a great help as French and English (mainly English) are the languages of the skies, and I wish I had parents in Jerez too, it would make my life so much easier
AS787
There are ways in obtaining the money for your training, even if that means doing each part as and when you can afford it, which is where the modular route is the most popular. Also if you have too, look outside the UK, there are many places where you can do your ATPL at a good price and return and convert.
Finally, sometimes where Qualifications are lacking, a good background with work experience etc can make up and even occasionally give you an advantage over somebodys A Level or degree.
If you speak French then that will be a great help as French and English (mainly English) are the languages of the skies, and I wish I had parents in Jerez too, it would make my life so much easier
AS787
Last edited by AIR SEYCHELLES 787; 25th Jan 2008 at 12:31. Reason: Add stuff...
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: North West
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You certainly dont need a degree to get on a pilot training course, but you really should have Maths, Physics, probably English GCSE's as a minimum, if you can back that up with some examples of making good use of your time working seriously since school then you should get in somewhere. Regarding age there is no official limit, you will need to get the money of course. The job market is based generally on supply and demand, its been good for the past few years, in 2 years time it may be better or it may not be.... there is always an element of right place / right time....
Good luck, you have loads of time....
FIF
Good luck, you have loads of time....
FIF
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
Posts: 6,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you want it bad enough?
If the answer is .......... YES! then just go and do it!
As for GCSE's well nice to have but a few months back I was sitting in the cruise at FL390 and chatting to the F.O. (he is now a Captain) and we discovered that we did not have enough GCSE's between us to apply for a job as junior cabin crew.
If you go for the ATPL you must be single minded and shut out all that is not essential to achive the goal.
Forget the sponsorship if you won't back this with your own money you don't want it enough to start.
As for GCSE's well nice to have but a few months back I was sitting in the cruise at FL390 and chatting to the F.O. (he is now a Captain) and we discovered that we did not have enough GCSE's between us to apply for a job as junior cabin crew.
If you go for the ATPL you must be single minded and shut out all that is not essential to achive the goal.
Forget the sponsorship if you won't back this with your own money you don't want it enough to start.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where have all you guys been, all the legacy and most of the lo-co's are starting up fully funded ab initio sponsorships with a small salary during the course for living expenses. Competition shouldn't be too stringent and expect to start the course two weeks after interview. 14 months later you will be proud owner of an ATPL. Three days later you start your type rating which takes around 10 days then straight onto probably 76-777 on completion of the TR. All quite simple really and great of the airlines to be getting their act together and starting these schemes up again!!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Wessex!
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ohhh, I want it alright. I already have debts that I am paying back for flight training, although I couldn't quite sretch that loan to complete the PPL. Since then I've done the occasional flight with an instructor, or when I was lucky with anyone who'd let me right chair with them! All the lovely people I started flight training with are now high flyers with thousands of hours, its really hit a whole in my heart.
I've been a swimming instructor for most of my working life, which doesn't really pay for much training. I suppose if I even try and apply now with no gsce's and a levels I'll be laughed off.
I've got to a point where I can't see any other way, I'll probably die of old age before saving up enough to do the ATPL modular, due to the fact that every year the prices keep hiking.
I can't see any bank lending me the cash required to do the course? unless anyone knows of a bank that will???????
Thanks to EVERYONE who replied, its means a lot.xxxxx
I've been a swimming instructor for most of my working life, which doesn't really pay for much training. I suppose if I even try and apply now with no gsce's and a levels I'll be laughed off.
I've got to a point where I can't see any other way, I'll probably die of old age before saving up enough to do the ATPL modular, due to the fact that every year the prices keep hiking.
I can't see any bank lending me the cash required to do the course? unless anyone knows of a bank that will???????
Thanks to EVERYONE who replied, its means a lot.xxxxx
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South East of the North West corner
Age: 39
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The CTC wings iCP course (not the cadets course) may be entitled to bank funding from HSBC. When i applied to the iCP HSBC were in talks over this with CTC. The wings cadet course can get the loan as HSBC saw it as being a more or less guarantee of a job. The iCP is an integrated course with CTC, except you don't get onto the AQC afterwards, but must apply for it seperately. You also don't need GCSE's to get onto the iCP course interestingly enough, because you do need them for OAT, FTE, and Cabairs integrated courses.
It will be worth checking with HSBC if they do give the loan for those accepted onto the iCP, or ask CTC directly.
AS787
It will be worth checking with HSBC if they do give the loan for those accepted onto the iCP, or ask CTC directly.
AS787
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manchester
Age: 40
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CTC Wings iCP
Just a little more info on the iCP scheme as posted above. On the CTC website under finance, it now says that 2 high street banks have shown their support for the scheme and are offering secured loans.
