Off to University for 3 years. Should I get my PPL?

[adam02]

Hey I will try and keep this short.

I am going to turn 21 years old in May and I have offers to study Mechanical Engineering at Queens Belfast University for 3 years, However i've recently been interested again in pursuing a career in commerical flying instead of an engineering position.

I've always been interested in flying since 9 and I have a small bit of RAF air cadet experience in a Grob G115 tutor when I was 15. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was completely put off from flying during GCSE's basically from the shear amounts of money it costs to train.

But i figure if I'm going to be doing something as a career it might as well be something I very much enjoy and will probably be willing to pay for it.

That being said, Ive searched and read and searched and read constantly for the last few days, I am aware of the current economic climate and there are very few if any positions for pilots and that recruitment won't be for a few more years.

So I decided that I will do this 3 year degree and also attend the gliding club in uni to beef up my flying then move into pilot training.

I haven't decided on Modular or Integrated, I could pull my hair out reading through all the threads on it but my main question is:

Should I do my PPL locally whilst at University. There is a local flying club that I could do my PPL at for around Ģ6k which seems the norm.

Or Plan B:

Fork out loads of cash for "Integrated training purely because my friend says I would be more likely to get a job over a modular candidate"

*I don't buy this completely but I take what he's said on board*

Thanks. Any other feedback would be appreciated.

[RichardH]

Adam02 as you have already discovered LOADS of threads on this.

However, IMHO you should go off to Queens (excellent Uni) and gain your degree in ME. A good degree always opens doors and allows you to keep options open. Queens might even have access to a UAS. Even if they don't you can get your PPL at standard cost & minimum risk.

Once you have your degree and some work experience you shall still only be mid 20s, plenty of time to start your aviation career if you wish and at much less risk as you now have a fall-back position if the aviation market turns sour.

Going off on Plan B in the current market is HIGH RISK.
You do not want to be a 22 year old with no degree, no quality work experience, at least Ģ70k in debt and no flying job either.

To anybody thinking of a career as a commercial pilot I strongly urge you to have a back-up plan.

[fabbe92]

I have never understood the degree-way. I am now doing my final year in upper secondary and I have excellent grades. That means that I can chooze between many universities and proffesions in the future. But why do the degree now? If one becomes a pilot and then something happens and he has to quit, he could allways go to university at that stage right?

[Sprogget]

Fabbe, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, but I cannot thank you enough for all you have revealed to me in one post about the education system that I have long suspected but have hitherto been unable to confirm.

Godspeed my friend!

[AlpineSkier]

@ fabbe 92

That means that I can [/B]chooze [/B]between many universities and [/B]proffesions [/B]in the future. But why do the degree now? If one becomes a pilot and then something happens and he has to quit, he could [/B]allways [/B]go to university at that stage right?
Today 19:02

But presumably not English Language as a profession I think ? (my bold - or b brackets at least )

[Sprogget]

Awww, Alpine, I did it so much more nicerley!

Also, a comma between "stage" & "right" would help to place an appropriate emphasis on the flow of speech.

[adam02]

Thanks for the replies.

With regards to Queens, they have a gliding club:

Homepage

Would it be advantageous to have decent gliding experience as far as seeking employment with an airline is concerned?

And from the aerospace department (same building as mechanical) they say that students have the option to undergo flight training. Pretty vague but I'l have to find out a bit more on that.

But yes as it stands the plan is to get the M.E degree, get some uni gliding in and get my PPL locally:

PPL Training

then go into a modular course full time with the confidence and safety net of my degree.

I've yet to decide on an FTO but that's why I'm here.

The reading continues.

[fabbe92]

Yes Iīm not perfect in english since it isnīt my native language. Would like to see how good you guys are in other languages, besides english.

[AlpineSkier]

My apologies Fabbe.

It didn't occur to me that you are not a native English-speaker as your English is very good and the errors are, in fact, exactly what I see from many posters here who are English mother-tongue.

Once again, mea culpa.

[Whirlygig]

If one becomes a pilot and then something happens and he has to quit, he could allways go to university at that stage right?

Yes but it would be difficult.

Let's say pilot X is made redundant and loses his or her job after ten years flying for an airline. At this time, X has a family and a mortgage.

X needs to get another job straight away, not spend three years at university getting the qualification required. In addition, X finds it harder to study with family commitments and an ageing brain.

Therefore, I would recommend doing the degree now, while you're young and know everything rather than later.

Cheers

Whirls

[fabbe92]

Donīt worry, then I do have the tendency to be a bit sloppy when I write in forums, skipping commas and misspelling I guess Iīm lazy.

[fabbe92]

Are their any good degrees in aviation that one could do. Because if pilots get reduntant, that means the holy industry is in a bad shape.

I am considering A degree or the bachelor in Aviation Management (London Met) or what about being a flight technician/engineer?

Cheers!

[Whirlygig]

If a pilot is made redundant because the aviation industry is in dire straits, then I'm not sure an Aviation Management Degree is any use at all. Aviation degrees may only be of any use if a pilot his or her licence for medical reasons.

Much better getting a degree relating to an entirely different industry. I'd recommend an insolvency qualification.

Cheers

Whirls

[wheelbrace]

Economics and philosophy are good numbers - learn about why we are in our current position and then know how to manipulate human nature to your advantage.

[adam02]

New question

I know it's preferable to do all of your CPL/fATPL training with one FTO from an employer's point of view.

And from what I gather they won't mind at all if you do your PPL locally:

But what about hours building? Would it be fine to go somewhere different for hours building?

Thanks.

[Aerouk]

I completed my PPL while at University, it was great fun I would highly recommend it.

[Sprogget]

Fabbe,
Je regrette, je vous en prie. je croyais que vous etiez Anglais.

[Piltdown Man]

Do the degree, go gliding, have fun. Maybe even get a PPL AFTER you have graduated. Once you are qualified for something other than flying and are gainfully employed, look to see if there is a REAL shortage of low houred pilots. If you are still gliding then, I'll guarantee that there'll be a few airline pilots at the club, so you'll get an inside line. If there is a shortage (which I doubt), only then think about a career change, but certainly not before. Taking this line means that you'll have at least one bankable profession and a certainly a good looking CV for an airline. Starting along the airline route now will mean debt, unemployment and poor employability, no fallback position, rubbish CV, limited life experience and all in all, a pretty miserable life.

PM

[Matichk]

hi adam,
you're at exactly the same point i was when i was deciding between university and pursuing career straight from high school
well, at that point i talked to a commercial pilot and he said that even though there was shortage of pilots 4 years ago, i should get my degree and i could pursue my career after i get a degree, i took this advice and now i'm in last semester with what i think great career opportunities, i'm also studying ME (never to many of those ) and i did my PPL 1 year ago, localy of course
well, my point is, i'm happy i went to university because now there isn't as big shortage of pilots as it was and i will always have something to fall back on if my career doesn't go as planned

so, go to university and than you can still be pilot or whatever you will choose to be after university

well, that's just my 2 cents

[fabbe92]

But wich degree? I have absoulutley no idea wich degree I want to get. Itīs seems a bit strange for me to go to university for 3 years and study economics or engineering when i have absolutley no interest or motivation for it. I can only think of careers withina aviation and if I have to stop, I will sit down and make a decision that day. But choosing a degree now feels strange to me because I donīt have any interest or motivation for the degrees out there.

Should we just run off to the uni and get the first/best degree available? Sounds stupid to me.