Off to University for 3 years. Should I get my PPL?
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Flightdeck
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not going for aviation. I will do a degree in economics because it's interesting and I believe I could do well in it. I am doing it, because if I loose my medical, this is something I could work with. But I want to become a pilot! I am not willing to risk my career just so I can go to uni and then end up doing a job I don't like. Flying is what I want to do and a degree is only a security to a possible medical loss.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just have the feel to add in my view here.
Ive always wanted to be a pilot however i have thought with my brain and not my heart in my circumstance.
Ive taken the degree route currently at UCL studying maths and physics,after the degree i will go into flight training.
My advice will be just take it easy you have a long time to pursue an aviation career.And the way things are in the industry people with licenses whom cant find a job wish they stayed well clear of the industry until the economy started to pick up.And the wannabes like me cant wait to jump in.So all in all its a different story for us wannabes on the other side.
Your better of paying 5k to a group of aviation experts to predict when the aviation industry is going to pick up rather than gambling 60k.
On the other hand to get your mind on set on things start doing some flying lessons and see how you feel.If you've got the true passion you WILL love it.
Anyway best of luck!
Ive always wanted to be a pilot however i have thought with my brain and not my heart in my circumstance.
Ive taken the degree route currently at UCL studying maths and physics,after the degree i will go into flight training.
My advice will be just take it easy you have a long time to pursue an aviation career.And the way things are in the industry people with licenses whom cant find a job wish they stayed well clear of the industry until the economy started to pick up.And the wannabes like me cant wait to jump in.So all in all its a different story for us wannabes on the other side.
Your better of paying 5k to a group of aviation experts to predict when the aviation industry is going to pick up rather than gambling 60k.
On the other hand to get your mind on set on things start doing some flying lessons and see how you feel.If you've got the true passion you WILL love it.
Anyway best of luck!
Broaden your horizons, do something generic like Mechanical Engineering.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
fabbe92
Head to uni you will gain many skills and i tottally understand where your coming from about having a degree as a security if you loose your medical and have a mid-life crises.
Head to uni you will gain many skills and i tottally understand where your coming from about having a degree as a security if you loose your medical and have a mid-life crises.
Generic doesn't necessarily mean easy-
And I just added that it was a very hard degree ie don't do it just for the sake of doing it. Do it because you REALLY want to do it, otherwise it could be three/four years of hell!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somwhere with girls, wine and cars that shine..
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hmmm
Mechanical Engineering is not "Generic", but im uncomfortable to call it "specialised".
My understanding is that there is a large focus on general 'Mechanical' Engineering principles/diciplines with minor modules in specialised fields. It is a lot more broad than the likes of Aeronautical/Automotive Engineering, both of which fall under the category of "Mechanical Engineering", yet are clearly more specialised in the Aero/Auto fields as the whole course is focused on it from day one.
Mechanical Engineering could possibly on be accredited by IMechE, Aero is usually acredited by both IMechE AND RAeS. Best of both worlds
There are as many Mechanical Engineers as there are Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineers at my aerospace employer. That said, mechanical folk seem to be stuck in structural departments but aero folk seem to have more choice/flexibility! - As it should be (in my opinion). If you are definately going to study Engineering and you are passionate about aircraft, why would you study Mechanical Engineering as opposed to Aero? Both are very hard degrees, but Mechanical makes no sense to me is Aerospace is your goal!!
My understanding is that there is a large focus on general 'Mechanical' Engineering principles/diciplines with minor modules in specialised fields. It is a lot more broad than the likes of Aeronautical/Automotive Engineering, both of which fall under the category of "Mechanical Engineering", yet are clearly more specialised in the Aero/Auto fields as the whole course is focused on it from day one.
Mechanical Engineering could possibly on be accredited by IMechE, Aero is usually acredited by both IMechE AND RAeS. Best of both worlds
There are as many Mechanical Engineers as there are Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineers at my aerospace employer. That said, mechanical folk seem to be stuck in structural departments but aero folk seem to have more choice/flexibility! - As it should be (in my opinion). If you are definately going to study Engineering and you are passionate about aircraft, why would you study Mechanical Engineering as opposed to Aero? Both are very hard degrees, but Mechanical makes no sense to me is Aerospace is your goal!!
Degree in economics for pilots?
Fabbe92,
Your posts show a good degree of uncertainty, and you are wise seeking other views, but in the end there are always pros and cons.
A degree in economics will provide you a good grounding in economic matters, and of course a fall-back position if you lose your medical. But it doesn't provide any further foundations for physics and engineering, which are very useful as a background to ATPL, and also as a background to understanding the high tech bit of kit known as an aeroplane.
There are many possible academic backgrounds to be a pilot:
* degrees in science or engineering (generally you will learn good tech skills and an ability to think in a structured way),
* specific degrees in aviation (where you learn some aviation specific economics, some physics and some engineering tailored toward aviation),
* specific degrees in aeronautical/aerospace engineering (where you get an excellent background in the technical aspects of aeroplanes, but no economics),
* specific degrees in economics (where you will learn macro and micro, and how the world of money turns: but probably do very little airline economics unless you choose your university carefully. Beware it is these guys that brought us the GFC).
In the end, it is not wise just to do a degree as an insurance, instead I recommend that you do one that you will find interesting. A 3 or 4 year degree in something you don't like will be no fun, and you may well not even finish. You need to wake up each day and look forward to your day, whether it may as an undergraduate, or later as a professional pilot or airline executive.
I further suggest therefore that you look very closely at the detail of possible degree options, including the summaries of ALL the offered subjects, to see which best interests you. The same degree title offered at different universities often has different options and specialities.
Also the better universities usually have higher entrance levels, harder subject materials, and higher standards, but this is why they are better universities.
Your posts show a good degree of uncertainty, and you are wise seeking other views, but in the end there are always pros and cons.
A degree in economics will provide you a good grounding in economic matters, and of course a fall-back position if you lose your medical. But it doesn't provide any further foundations for physics and engineering, which are very useful as a background to ATPL, and also as a background to understanding the high tech bit of kit known as an aeroplane.
There are many possible academic backgrounds to be a pilot:
* degrees in science or engineering (generally you will learn good tech skills and an ability to think in a structured way),
* specific degrees in aviation (where you learn some aviation specific economics, some physics and some engineering tailored toward aviation),
* specific degrees in aeronautical/aerospace engineering (where you get an excellent background in the technical aspects of aeroplanes, but no economics),
* specific degrees in economics (where you will learn macro and micro, and how the world of money turns: but probably do very little airline economics unless you choose your university carefully. Beware it is these guys that brought us the GFC).
In the end, it is not wise just to do a degree as an insurance, instead I recommend that you do one that you will find interesting. A 3 or 4 year degree in something you don't like will be no fun, and you may well not even finish. You need to wake up each day and look forward to your day, whether it may as an undergraduate, or later as a professional pilot or airline executive.
I further suggest therefore that you look very closely at the detail of possible degree options, including the summaries of ALL the offered subjects, to see which best interests you. The same degree title offered at different universities often has different options and specialities.
Also the better universities usually have higher entrance levels, harder subject materials, and higher standards, but this is why they are better universities.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Flightdeck
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, the engineering degrees prepares you for ATPl but it's not for me. I ammors interested in economics,poltics and all that. I am better at it as well. Because maths and physics aren't my favorite subjects. I have no problem learning maths and physics and combined with my love and motivation, I am not worried about the ATPL. However, engineering is a bit to much since I don't have that interest. No degree can be as exciting as aviation though. However a feel that a degree in a more social related area, will give my experience, better knowledge about the world and help me develope. Because a pilots education means that you can fly from A to B and that's it. No academic skills on the ground
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes it is a lot of money but for some reason people don't seem to take that into account. There is very little talk about university debts on this site. Especially as at the moment graduates are ending up with jobs which don't need a degree because of the lack of work going around.
I know a degree gives you more security for your future career as a pilot but I think it sets you back a few years not only because of the time spent in uni but because of the debts you have afterwards (in the UK), not ideal. However other countries might have fairer governments who help to fund your degree which makes it a much more attractive offer.
I know a degree gives you more security for your future career as a pilot but I think it sets you back a few years not only because of the time spent in uni but because of the debts you have afterwards (in the UK), not ideal. However other countries might have fairer governments who help to fund your degree which makes it a much more attractive offer.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Degree in the UK will leave you with ~£7k per year of government debt (split evenly between tuition and maintenance loans). Probably the reason it is not talked about, is because it is the cheapest loan you'll ever get. Interest rates in 2009 were 1.5%, which in real terms was 0%. There is talk of charging a 'proper' rate of interest and increase fees, so best to apply sooner rather than later.
£3.5k per year of free money, spent wisely, would easily fund a PPL and some hour building.
I can tell you from personal experience that a teenager in the cockpit is frowned upon by the majority of people you come across - be it fellow pilots or passengers. People work on first impressions, and it is a real struggle to convince them that you are capable of safely operating an aircraft. Put yourself in the shoes of an employer; are you going to hire the 19 year old with no proven life skills, or a 23 year old that has been to university and gotten a job afterwards to pay for (or at least contribute towards) their training? I know which I'd choose! As a passenger, who would you choose?
As Seabreeze has said, you will only finish a degree that you are interested in and have a motivation to continue.
£3.5k per year of free money, spent wisely, would easily fund a PPL and some hour building.
I can tell you from personal experience that a teenager in the cockpit is frowned upon by the majority of people you come across - be it fellow pilots or passengers. People work on first impressions, and it is a real struggle to convince them that you are capable of safely operating an aircraft. Put yourself in the shoes of an employer; are you going to hire the 19 year old with no proven life skills, or a 23 year old that has been to university and gotten a job afterwards to pay for (or at least contribute towards) their training? I know which I'd choose! As a passenger, who would you choose?
As Seabreeze has said, you will only finish a degree that you are interested in and have a motivation to continue.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK.
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Degree in the UK will leave you with ~£7k per year of government debt (split evenly between tuition and maintenance loans).
I studied at one of the best Universities in the UK and didn't pay a penny for it.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somwhere with girls, wine and cars that shine..
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I studied at one of the best Universities in the UK and didn't pay a penny for it.
haha. When you are talking "one of the best" I assume you are talking about Edinburgh...I was semi-lucky too as I was the last year group that had Fee's capped at £1250/yr!
£3.5k per year of free money, spent wisely, would easily fund a PPL and some hour building.
A good university education in Europe costs around 15K, am I right?
but in general for 3 years i would estimate:Fees: £10,000 (or best part of)
Accomodation: £10,000-£12,000 (or best part of)
Food/Life: £7500 (£2500/yr)
Total: £27,000 - £30,000
Last edited by lovezzin; 17th May 2010 at 07:30.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somwhere with girls, wine and cars that shine..
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lol, without living costs and books university costs around 550€ here a year. If you calculate 800€ in total a year you're fine here. 800*5 years makes 4500€.
lol, without living costs and books university costs around 550€ here a year. If you calculate 800€ in total a year you're fine here. 800*5 years makes 4500€.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: belgium
Age: 34
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh ok I see, yes but Belgium is that small that if you take the train, you're practically at a university in one hour
If you calculate living costs for 5 years it would also be around 20k€ in total...
If you calculate living costs for 5 years it would also be around 20k€ in total...