Getting started questions
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Getting started questions
Before I describe my situation, I'd like to apologize since there are plenty of similar type threads.
Right, I live in London, graduated IBO (International Bacc) and have decided to consider becoming a pilot (Although It's my secondary plan, after Genetics)
There aren't many websites with information unfortunetly so this is my best shot. I rang the RAF asking about the piloting scheme and was told that Corrective Laser surgery meant that you would not be eligible for a Piloting position, the guy on the phone rudely claimed that 'It was the military and they make the rules' after questioning the reasons, since as far as I'm aware, CLS on average gives a better eye sight.
Personally I would prefer Commercial flying, before I move along explaining the situation, I'd just like to ask, if you have poor eyesight (No optical diseases, simply poor eye sight due to mass amounts of Sega Mega Drive back in the day) would you pass the Medical exam? (FYI: Astigmatism, Left: D:-4.25 CYL:-1.75 || Right: D:-3.50 CYL:-2.25)
Moving on.. I've come across a website, CTC Wings, I've passed phase 1, but it seems like a massive con, so I'm seriously not considering that, however, after doing the PPL in Florida(My option) what would be the necessary steps towards becoming a commercial pilot, would you need to contact each one asking for Sponsorships, since It seems as if certain airliners only accept canditates with xamounts of flying experience. OR would you need to find roughly £60,000 and sponsor yourself?, if so, once again, with 0 flying hours how would you get a job?
Thanks alot
Right, I live in London, graduated IBO (International Bacc) and have decided to consider becoming a pilot (Although It's my secondary plan, after Genetics)
There aren't many websites with information unfortunetly so this is my best shot. I rang the RAF asking about the piloting scheme and was told that Corrective Laser surgery meant that you would not be eligible for a Piloting position, the guy on the phone rudely claimed that 'It was the military and they make the rules' after questioning the reasons, since as far as I'm aware, CLS on average gives a better eye sight.
Personally I would prefer Commercial flying, before I move along explaining the situation, I'd just like to ask, if you have poor eyesight (No optical diseases, simply poor eye sight due to mass amounts of Sega Mega Drive back in the day) would you pass the Medical exam? (FYI: Astigmatism, Left: D:-4.25 CYL:-1.75 || Right: D:-3.50 CYL:-2.25)
Moving on.. I've come across a website, CTC Wings, I've passed phase 1, but it seems like a massive con, so I'm seriously not considering that, however, after doing the PPL in Florida(My option) what would be the necessary steps towards becoming a commercial pilot, would you need to contact each one asking for Sponsorships, since It seems as if certain airliners only accept canditates with xamounts of flying experience. OR would you need to find roughly £60,000 and sponsor yourself?, if so, once again, with 0 flying hours how would you get a job?
Thanks alot
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emiree
Flying is not a profession to go for as a second choice. There are far too many very determined wanabees for that and you will despair at the costs unless you have some sort of burning passion for it.
CTC Wings is the best scheme in the industry but they are very fussy about who they take. Most graduates from there are placed straight into jobs.
Sponsorship is very rare nowadays and the schemes that do exist still require a large financial contribution from the student.
Flying is not a profession to go for as a second choice. There are far too many very determined wanabees for that and you will despair at the costs unless you have some sort of burning passion for it.
CTC Wings is the best scheme in the industry but they are very fussy about who they take. Most graduates from there are placed straight into jobs.
Sponsorship is very rare nowadays and the schemes that do exist still require a large financial contribution from the student.
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Right I understand, majority of people dedicate there lives into such, and perhaps may not even achieve there goal, but unlike them, although I've said "piloting is a second choice" It's a choice I would enjoy, but wouldn't breakdown if told I couldn't do it.
So regarding my question about the eye-sight, does anyone have an idea?
So regarding my question about the eye-sight, does anyone have an idea?
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You can check the eyesight requirements for the Class One medical on this link:
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...pe=68&gid=1250
If you decide to go and do a PPL in the States, you will then need to get your CPL/IR. There are many training organisations available here or in the States to do this. This is known as the modular route.
Alternatively you can go for an integrated course (do a search) which takes you from 0 hours to being able to apply for a job. You'll be looking to spend about £60-£70k if you go down this route.
If you're not sure where to train there is something called the FLYER exhibition at Heathrow where all the training organisations exhibit and you can ask questions and get a feel for them.
There are no real sponsorships at the moment, with CTC you are bonded for 7 years on a reduced salary. There are schemes around which give conditional offers of employment i.e BA Citiflyer, Excel, First Choice etc. The Flybe scheme is the closest to a sponsorship (contribute about £20000 I think)
I have to agree with pic, you have to make sure you really want it before you spend all that cash its a very costly profession to get into...
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...pe=68&gid=1250
If you decide to go and do a PPL in the States, you will then need to get your CPL/IR. There are many training organisations available here or in the States to do this. This is known as the modular route.
Alternatively you can go for an integrated course (do a search) which takes you from 0 hours to being able to apply for a job. You'll be looking to spend about £60-£70k if you go down this route.
If you're not sure where to train there is something called the FLYER exhibition at Heathrow where all the training organisations exhibit and you can ask questions and get a feel for them.
There are no real sponsorships at the moment, with CTC you are bonded for 7 years on a reduced salary. There are schemes around which give conditional offers of employment i.e BA Citiflyer, Excel, First Choice etc. The Flybe scheme is the closest to a sponsorship (contribute about £20000 I think)
I have to agree with pic, you have to make sure you really want it before you spend all that cash its a very costly profession to get into...
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Clearly you have no idea what you're talking about. IB Diploma programme is let's say, 6 A2 subjects.
Not being harsh, but please, for future reference, do a little research before commenting on others.
Not being harsh, but please, for future reference, do a little research before commenting on others.
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emiree, perhaps if you did some research yourself you would realise CTC is by no means a con! After all this is a airline forum, not many people will be too interested in genetics.
If you are considering becomming a pilot and want to do the integrated route book an assessment day at Oxford, Cabair and FTE and see how you do then you can judge yourself from there. As you already have a PPL you may want to look at a modular route which works out cheaper but both ways have pros and cons. Just do a search and you will find relevant info.
Good luck!
If you are considering becomming a pilot and want to do the integrated route book an assessment day at Oxford, Cabair and FTE and see how you do then you can judge yourself from there. As you already have a PPL you may want to look at a modular route which works out cheaper but both ways have pros and cons. Just do a search and you will find relevant info.
Good luck!
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Your find I did do the research, hence I know it wasn't really specialised...hence you may find it hard to get into Genetics, quite a specific field.
UCAS Tariff
From 2008 entry onwards, successfully completing the Diploma will officially count towards your 'UCAS Tariff' for getting into higher education.
An IB Diploma total of 24 points will earn 280 UCAS points - the same as two 'Bs' and a 'C' grade at A level.
The maximum of 45 points will earn 768 UCAS points - equivalent to more than 6 A levels at grade 'A'.
Most students who take the IB Diploma Programme go on to higher education; the qualification is recognised by universities in more than 100 countries. However, you may be asked to gain a certain number of points at the 'higher' level in specific subjects if you want to study a particular course.
Thus, requirements taken from Sussex website for Modular genetics;
Pass IBD, with an overall score of 34 points ..
Quite a high number if thats 34 from 45.
From that leading to me saying the previous question. Not exactly sure of other university requirements as that was just the top google search.
Anyhow wasnt turning this into a qualification debate.
I totally agree with the above comments, if it isn't your first choice then I dont think you should bother, simple as that.
UCAS Tariff
From 2008 entry onwards, successfully completing the Diploma will officially count towards your 'UCAS Tariff' for getting into higher education.
An IB Diploma total of 24 points will earn 280 UCAS points - the same as two 'Bs' and a 'C' grade at A level.
The maximum of 45 points will earn 768 UCAS points - equivalent to more than 6 A levels at grade 'A'.
Most students who take the IB Diploma Programme go on to higher education; the qualification is recognised by universities in more than 100 countries. However, you may be asked to gain a certain number of points at the 'higher' level in specific subjects if you want to study a particular course.
Thus, requirements taken from Sussex website for Modular genetics;
Pass IBD, with an overall score of 34 points ..
Quite a high number if thats 34 from 45.
From that leading to me saying the previous question. Not exactly sure of other university requirements as that was just the top google search.
Anyhow wasnt turning this into a qualification debate.
I totally agree with the above comments, if it isn't your first choice then I dont think you should bother, simple as that.
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emiree,
i think what you need to do is to go away for 2 years, read up on everything you possibly can about the airline industry then and only then decide whether you are making the right choice, the fact that you openly claim that flying is your second choice automaticly places doubt in my mind as to how serious you are! It took my a long long time of reading and traveling to different flying schools before i made up mymind and although i do not personaly go to ctc i doubt that they would take to kindly to you calling it a "con".
Pr**K
i think what you need to do is to go away for 2 years, read up on everything you possibly can about the airline industry then and only then decide whether you are making the right choice, the fact that you openly claim that flying is your second choice automaticly places doubt in my mind as to how serious you are! It took my a long long time of reading and traveling to different flying schools before i made up mymind and although i do not personaly go to ctc i doubt that they would take to kindly to you calling it a "con".
Pr**K
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I think calling it a con was a poor choice of words. Basically what I meant was, for Phase 2 they ask for £200, and then you finance your way through the course etc, this to me seemed a bit off, but since I'm new into researching this field, I'm sorry for calling it a 'con' - guess I'll try out for the aptitude test.
Calling it a secondary option does not make me less ambitious, since there are a number of pilots that by fate took up flying, i.e. Military / Airliner sponsorship programmes.
Calling it a secondary option does not make me less ambitious, since there are a number of pilots that by fate took up flying, i.e. Military / Airliner sponsorship programmes.
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Airline sponsorship programs are impossible to come by, They also usually require a class 1, CPL, ATPL, x amount of hours so on and so forth.
The sponsordhip is usually for type rating
w-m
The sponsordhip is usually for type rating
w-m
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once again if you actually look into thngs you will see that nearlyy all places make you pay for the assessment! Take OAT (thats oxford aviation traing) They charge you 200 pound, and heres where it may hurt you even more they may say no!!! Bt that isnt the be all and end all, im there and i can't praise it enough! Im nt having a go pal but just think you need to think long and hard, you are only 19, i took advice from many people and did a degree first, you will come out alot more mature and probably with a better idea with what you want to do with your life, its very nerve racking at 19 to suddenly decide what you want to do, for me tho it has always been flying and so was an easy choice. Theres hundreds of people who wud give there left arm to be in an intergrated school or even on a modular course for that, so all im saying is do not just do it because you can and you think it will be fun. do it because your pasionate about flying! You will no what i mean when or if you ever get the flying bug! Best of luck!
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As already mentioned- you cannot take the road to becoming a professional pilot as a second choice or runner up as it were. To complete the training and fight for a job you must give it your all (and then some).
Genetics and in general a career in science is, quite frankly, easy compared to this. I know- I did it (Structural Biologist for eight years before I took the plunge). It's worth mentioning that you will realistically have to consider completing the PhD, after the BSc, should you wish to further progress in a science career to research level.
The training takes longer for a scientist (7 years) compared to a pilot (ca. 1.5-2 years) but you are guided every step of the way and the career progression is fairly logical and nicely set out for you. You also do not have to pay for the training costs! When you finish you are basically guaranteed a job with a wide variety of research groups to choose from.
Given your age, you have plenty of time to research, think and decide. I urge you to use this moment to make the choices that are best for you.
I wish you the best of luck in what ever you decide.
LG
Genetics and in general a career in science is, quite frankly, easy compared to this. I know- I did it (Structural Biologist for eight years before I took the plunge). It's worth mentioning that you will realistically have to consider completing the PhD, after the BSc, should you wish to further progress in a science career to research level.
The training takes longer for a scientist (7 years) compared to a pilot (ca. 1.5-2 years) but you are guided every step of the way and the career progression is fairly logical and nicely set out for you. You also do not have to pay for the training costs! When you finish you are basically guaranteed a job with a wide variety of research groups to choose from.
Given your age, you have plenty of time to research, think and decide. I urge you to use this moment to make the choices that are best for you.
I wish you the best of luck in what ever you decide.
LG
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emiree, just thought I'd comment on your eyesight question:
arpansingla gave the link to the CAA's Class 1 Visual Standards which you should take a look at - if in doubt, print it off, book an eye test and ask the optician if your sight is good enough - probably the cheapest tick box in the whole process! This is what I did last week.
I'm not an optician but I think you might find your eyesight doesn't meet the requirments for the Class 1 (ie commercial) License (-2.25 astigmatism in your right eye is greater than the maximum of +/-2.00). The rest is near enough at the limits so you have to ask yourself is how many years will it be before its at or beyond the limit?
Like I said though, ask your optician for the official verdict.
Good luck in which ever path you chose!
I'd just like to ask, if you have poor eyesight (No optical diseases, simply poor eye sight due to mass amounts of Sega Mega Drive back in the day) would you pass the Medical exam? (FYI: Astigmatism, Left: D:-4.25 CYL:-1.75 || Right: D:-3.50 CYL:-2.25)
I'm not an optician but I think you might find your eyesight doesn't meet the requirments for the Class 1 (ie commercial) License (-2.25 astigmatism in your right eye is greater than the maximum of +/-2.00). The rest is near enough at the limits so you have to ask yourself is how many years will it be before its at or beyond the limit?
Like I said though, ask your optician for the official verdict.
Good luck in which ever path you chose!
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The guy on the phone rudely claimed that 'It was the military and they make the rules' after questioning the reasons
OTOH, marginal Class 1 eyesight shouldn't bar you from getting a PPL, IR, etc and flying in your spare time - often a better solution for people who can make a life in another industry and then afford to fly as a hobby.
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Emiree, to add to the coment about your eyesight. From what I have gathered from the CAA website, your astigmatism doesn't meet the requirements. Mid_Life_Pilot talked about your perscription being near the limits, yes it is fairly close to the limits for the initial eye exam. However, I'm no expert but I think that the standards are different to renew the class 1 after the intial eye exam. i.e. maybe upto -8.00 say, don't quote me on that.
I do hope that you mean by choosing piloting as a second career you intend the genetics career to act as the "cash cow" to fund your dream of flying aeroplanes. If that's not the case, as others have said I would seriously address your motivation before splashing the cash on the training. My advice is to do alot of research and see if piloting is seriously for you.
I do hope that you mean by choosing piloting as a second career you intend the genetics career to act as the "cash cow" to fund your dream of flying aeroplanes. If that's not the case, as others have said I would seriously address your motivation before splashing the cash on the training. My advice is to do alot of research and see if piloting is seriously for you.
