ATPL- PPL - CPL - FI(R)?

[tobster911]

Hi,
I was just wondering whether I could do my course with the end goal of becoming an instructor in the way mentioned above? I am 16 and will be finishing school in June. My instructor has said that it may be an idea not to go to sixth form, get good grades in GCSE (Which I'm already on track for), then study for my ATPL via Distance Learning, then get my PPL, then ratings and so on before CPL then finally FI(R), then, if I chose to become an Airline pilot after a while, would I just have to get a type rating on the specific aircraft?

Is this a feasable route, and can I start it at age 16?

Thanks

[Air Brake]

I think your instructor is an idiot to be suggesting this to you. Stay at school and get as qualified as you can, A-levels as a minimum!

Life can change in an instant! Say you become an instructor and then lose your medical Cat for any reason, what would you have to fall back on? some GCSEs?

Your 16, CPL at 18, I’m not sure what credibility you would have as an instructor. Stay at school, get a little more life experience then go for it!!

[BerksFlyer]

Definitely wouldn't recommend not doing A-levels. Leaving school with just GCSEs leaves you right at the very bottom of the pile. Have some patience. I had the same thoughts when I was your age. But believe me, you really change from 16-20. That's not to say you will no longer want to fly - but you see the bigger picture more.

But no, you would also require an instrument rating and an MCC.

[3bars]

Also not physically possible.... you must have passed PPL before commencing APTL ground school.

Fully agree with the previous posters opinion of your instructor

[Jerry Lee]

Get A Levels in Math, Physics, Geography and another subject you'd like to study.
You're 16, so you can already start your training towards PPL. But to work in a serious company a day, you need at least an university entrance level certification, so A Levels is mandatory for you. Keep studying, because the knowledge you will learn will be useful when you'll be studying ATPL theory.

Unfortunately, at my school (in Italy) I don't study Physics, nor Trigonometry. It will be a little bit harder for me, but nothing insurmountable

[tobster911]

Okay, thanks for that. Now, assuming I stay on to sixth form, could I also study for my ATPL via a distance learning programme? Not saying this is what i'd do, but... can i sign up for a distance learning course at 16?
Thanks

[Genghis the Engineer]

You need your PPL before you can sign up for the ATPL groundschool programme.

G

[3bars]

You need your PPL before you can sign up for the ATPL groundschool programme

Apparently he or she only listens to captains advise!!!!!

[Jerry Lee]

No, you can't, but you can study for the PPL if you want to do something.

[bwfly88]

You need your PPL before you can sign up for the ATPL groundschool programme

That sounds logical to me but for the OAA integrated guys the first thing they do is the 6 month phase of ATPL theory before they even touch an aircraft?

[MIKECR]

Integrated courses are different, you dont need a PPL before starting ATPL theory. How else can you go from 'zero to hero'!

Modular students require an ICAO recognised PPL in order to start ATPL theory.

Thats the regs.

[The500man]

I agree you should stay in school. Make the most of it while it's still free! Get your PPL done over the summer holidays if you can and in the mean time try to get a part-time job to pay for it. Don't start ATPL groundschool until you have some idea how you are going to pay for your CPL and ME/IR. You only get three years from your last ATPL exam to get all of that done, and the ME/IR is not cheap! You also want an FI rating? From what I can tell becoming a flight instructor is a very expensive route to earning very little. I'm not trying to put you off, but you must realise you will need a decent paying job or financial help to even get that far. If you are relying on getting a decent paying job you may struggle with only GCSE's. Best of luck though!

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by bwfly88

That sounds logical to me but for the OAA integrated guys the first thing they do is the 6 month phase of ATPL theory before they even touch an aircraft?

They also spend twice as much money as a modular student, and are largely unemployable anywhere but a big airline.

There's a sticky on the subject at the top of the page.

G

[tobster911]

Thanks for all your replies. I mistyped my title, it was supposed to be PPL-ATPL etc etc, but, anyway. In my GCSE's, I am on course for some fairly good results, i.e A*'s and A's. however, I have an English Literature (poetry) exam coming up next week, and I know I'm going to do Awfully. I am predicted a C at best, probably a D, because, unfortunately, I despise the subject. If I do well in my other GCSE's, like science and Maths etc, will this D mean I have a reduced chance of becoming a Commercial pilot or FI, as I really hope it doesn't, and i'm worrying that it will mess up my streak and possible employees will look at it and say no.
Thanks

[mad_jock]

Go and have a search on here for Airleague and other such scholorships.

Also as well go and have a shot of gliding, its cheaper than powered and to be honest the standard of instructing is higher as well. The hand foot skills will stand you in good stead when you continue onto powered, apart from anything else its bloody good fun.

[tobster911]

Yea, thanks, I do gliding occasionally at the local GC, but, this being England, and on the coast with rubbish weather, there aren't that many gliding opportunities
Thanks anyway

[mad_jock]

there is no rush to be honest at your age.

Actually there is the first step which does involve a trip to london and paying out 300 quid.

Your best to get a class one medical done to make sure you are not setting your whole life up for a goal which isn't possible.

Then work towards getting some form of qulification which allows you to save up for the commercial training. Realistically you are going to need about 50 thousand pounds worth of training to get to the point you can even apply for jobs.

The gliding has another bonus which is that you can tug for gliders which helps build hours cheaply so its good to get in with the a club with an aircraft.

[tobster911]

Yea, we have a Piper Super Cub at the moment, so, after I pass my PPL (hopefully), I'll try to get a taildragger and Towing license, then build my hours up cheaply and freely

[mad_jock]

A very nice aircraft I might add.

Now go talk to your parents and get the class one out of the way.

A good job to go for in my experence of working with pilots who payed there way through is optician or pharmisist (spell? the ones that work at boots giving out prescriptions) both give quite high starting salaries and also let you work as a locum during training at quite reasonable rates of pay. And even when on the line flying you can do a few days to help the wallet out if required.

[tobster911]

Thanks. It's about 50 years old very loud. Thanks for the input, appreciated