Career Change Advice?

[boxhacker]

Hi,

I am considering training to become an airline pilot and would like some advice on whether or not this is a pipe dream, or is actually possible.

I am 24 years old and am a fully qualified City & Guilds Carpenter and Joiner. Which i have been employed by the same company working alone and organising my own work for the last 8 Years.

I have always wanted to become a commercial pilot, but when i was 16 i couldn't wait to leave school so i decided to get a trade behind me first so i could always have something to fall back on.

Now i have matured massively and thrive on learning new skills. But basically i am bored with my current job and wish to chase my dream.

My Problem is my current CV;

Left School with the following GCSE's

English C
Maths C
Double Science C
It B
French D

NVQ Level 3 Advanced Crafts....... Carpenter & Joiner

Worked for my current employer for 10 Years (7 years Qualified)



Is There any hope for me? I would like to say that whatever it is that i do, i do strieve for perfection and a challenge does excite me and push me.

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

Firstly mate, why do you see you qualifications as a problem? As long as you have the aptitude to pass all the written exams and pass the flying tests, that is all that matters.

Getting your professional licences is not rocket science, however, getting through the training and getting your first job takes a tremendous amount of effort and commitment.

As long as you have the drive to succeed in a competitive market, you will be fine.

[waco]

..........If I were you and I was making a resonable living in my current trade.

I would save some money, do a ppl, get myself involved in a good flying group and enjoy flying as a hobby.

Its carnige trying to get a job and with the current economic situation.....it can only get worse.

Best of luck.

[captainsuperstorm]

I agree, this aviation market filled of P2F Pimps is on its knee, better to pull the trigger yourself before they kill you.

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[Zaid28]

Dear Waco,

I would argue against your comment regarding obtaining a PPL only and not perusing his (boxhacker) dreams?

I do believe there is a demand for pilots currently. A number of airline operators currently have a number of positions for pilots. Even Cathay Pacific are now running their own cadet programme. This theme will only continue to grow especially when most & major airlines are buying a large volume of aircrafts.

Cheers and best wishes!

[boxhacker]

Thank you for your responses, Just another litte question i have is most of the airline cadet programs require you to be under the age of 26. Now i was thinking maybe if i moved quickly i could (maybe I'm being rather naive thinking its possible for some sort of sponsorship) perhaps get onto one of these schemes with better prospects of a job afterwards.

Otherwise i shall do my ppl over the next 18 months then go down the modular route if enough people advise me this is the best way, and that this industry is worth getting into. Also WACO i do appreciate your advice and i can see that i would be wasting my time leaving a £34,000 job which i believe I'm good at. to go through hell in training to earn far less. But i really want to change my job anyway.

[Mikehotel152]

I do believe there is a demand for pilots currently

Really? There are thousands of unemployed pilots out there who wish that were true.

[Globally Challenged]

The harsh reality is that you have next to no chance with a cadet scheme but there are no barriers to a self-improved (aka Modular) route to a licence. You will then be pretty much the same position as any other low-houred grad scrabbling around for a flying job that will provide a return on your substantial investment.