Am I heading the right way?

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Hey everybody reading this! I, as you may have guessed, want to become an airline pilot. From lots of research I have concluded that it is ideal to have good grades, but if you don't it's not the end of the road for you. So here's what I'm doing: one more year of school to get more higher's (I live in Scotland and higher's are the Scottish equivalent to A-levels) and then go off to do training. This will also maybe, just maybe, allow the industry to pick up a tiny bit (if at all). I am doing chemistry, biology, English and German this year (German advanced higher next year). Apart from biology, the mentioned are all higher.
And my predicted grades are A for English, A for German, A for biology and complete fail for chemistry . What would be good subjects to consider for next years options? And how do my grades look now, have I chosen the right subjects?

I realise I'm asking for loads of advice here, so I really appreciate replies.

Thanks!!

[All-The-Nines]

It's unusual for airlines to demand A-level or equivalent passes in subjects, and so I wouldn't worry too much from an airline point of view. From a personal point of view, I took A-levels which I knew would make the training a little easier.

The ATPL exams are possible just by 'learning the question bank' without much prior knowledge. However, I wouldn't recommend this, I think it's much more sensible to have an appreciation and understanding of the subjects involved. Not to mention you're paying in the region of £4K just to sit the theory exams alone, you might as well make that £4K count for something!

If you agree with this train of thought, then I'd say the obvious subjects are Maths and Physics, there's a fair amount of both in the ATPL's (particularly Aircraft Knowledge, and parts of Meteorology). I'm not saying you need Maths and Physics to attempt these subjects, just that it'll help you to learn them a little smoother without having to sit on Google reminding yourself how to multiply fractions and such!

[Lakhan]

Same position as you. I'm 17, finishing off my A-levels this June. I chose Maths and Physics because I love the subjects.

Having GCSE standard in Maths and Physics is the bare minimum you need to complete ATPL exams. However I'm not doing ATPLs so correct me if i'm wrong.

I hope to join FTE this year or 2013. Personal preference.

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Damn! I suck at both maths and physics haha I really though doing German at a high level would benefit me... don't really know why though haha I guess I will just have to knuckle down on the ol' maths when the time gets nearer...
thanks All-The-Nines.

Lakhan, you're lucky to love maths and physics, will defo benefit you. And great!, FTE looks awsome.

cheers

[Romeo Kilo]

Am I right in saying you can apply to Lufthansa's sponsored scheme if you're fluent in German (and satisfy the academic requirements)? As a UK citizen, you will have the right to live and work in Germany. Whether you have the desire is up to you...

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Romeo Kilo my situation is kind of odd. I'm not a British citizen, I still hold a German passport... but I guess that doesn't deny me of anything, does it?
I shall check that Lufthansa scheme out, for sure. Thanks!

[BerksFlyer]

Speaking German can be a big advantage. If you can, make the Lufthansa sponsored scheme your first port of call. It's one of the best around. But even if that doesn't work out for you, once qualified, there will be many more options open to you than if you could only speak English. Many German airlines hire newly qualified pilots and they all require German as a language.

[rmpackman]

TheFirstDohrnPilot....good luck with your career choice. I've done all of the ATPL's and the maths/physics is moderate GCSE level at best don't worry about not doing A-Levels in those subjects. I studied French, Biology and Geography for A-Level and that wasn't a problem!!

Good luck.

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Thank you BerksFlyer and rmpackman. That's great to hear rmpackman!!! Thanks

[A320baby]

BTW, When you do your ground school studies, I wouldn't just learn the question bank, I would actually learn the subject, Have a good understanding of each subject. As this would help massively when you have an interview with an airline.

All the best with the future!

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Noted, A320baby. But how would knowing each subject help with airline interviews? Will they ask specific questions on things in the course???

Thanks!

[A320baby]

Yep, For example a Ryanair interview, you will be asked questions regarding ATPLs,
Like what is a swept wing, what is Mcrit, How can Mcrit be reduced,

What happens to TAS in a climb?
What does this Metar mean?
How long is this Meter Valid? etc

Just general questions about your studies, you will never know what they will ask, so you need to know your stuff.

Plus its good to learn

[pudoc]

I agree with A320Baby completely, but also bare in mind the ATPL exams are nothing more than a silly game. Question bank is important if you want to win the game. The material in your books, is important, but hardly any of it will appear in an exam.

Sad but true.

[Jerry Lee]

Learning the subject is good because it will be helpful in your career, but to pass the exam you need to learn the question bank so spend the month before your exams to learn it and print it in your memory. Once you passed the exam, remove QB's questions from your head and move on with next module. Again, a month before your exams do what I have written.

You will always have to revise the subjects for every interview.

[Finals19]

TheFirstDohrnPilot..

Realistically the level of maths you really need in commercial aviation is pretty basic on a daily basis - being able to work out descent profiles vs track miles is handy (wow, three times tables...complicated stuff!!).

The problem you may face (I did) is the ridiculously over-complicated pyschometric testing and numeracy tests that some operators may put you through. How these relate to sound piloting skills on the line is still something that eludes me. I truly think that some of these processes cause some (what would be) decent candidates to slip through the net, but they're a method of filtration, pure and simple.

Do your best to plough through some basic Maths (as mentioned GCSE level) as it will certainly help at ATPL level. Physics too, especially for things like Met.

[fwjc]

Fwiw So far I've found that of all the aspects of GCSE maths, mental arithmetic is the most useful operationally.

For the ATPL theory it's useful to be able to reality check your answer before using the whizz-wheel or calculator.

Now I'm doing the CPL it's useful to be able to do on the fly revisions of eta on the basis of an estimated ground speed on a divert, plus estimating fuel demands and time remaining.

Can't speak for true commercial flying but maybe someone else will.

[Another]

For choice of subjects:

Do pursue your aviation dreams.

But - imagine you loose your medical (or never get it in the first place) - what university degree would you want to do? Check what subjects are required for that.

In understand the idea of doing a subject to make ATPL studies easier but i quite frankly dont think makes that much difference...

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Hmm... I don't like the idea of being put on the spot like that in an interview, but hey, I guess that's just how it is haha
Finals19, that sounds terrible! Pretty harsh method of filtration.
I see what you mean Another, but I think I have to agree with the others... a basic knowledge will help. But you are correct in saying - I think - that it will, in the end, come down to knowing the stuff in the ATPL theory and not much else...

Thanks guys

[Jerry Lee]

TheFirstDohrnPilot, if your math problem is not regarding arithmetic cores, then you don't need to worry. I am in your same boat: I have always been terrible and have always argued with math.
Obviously I have no problems with arithmetic and to be good in mental calculus we just need to train a bit everyday. Even the game Brain Training for Nintendo would be enough
Calculate a tangent plane is not impossible too. I know a 737 pilots who - like me - has never studied trigonometry and learnt what he needed during his training.

The physics cores required to be known are not hard at all and sometimes Wikipedia is more than enough.

Just work hard towards your target and you'll make it!

[TheFirstDohrnPilot]

Mental arithmetic is exactly what I struggle with. But those brain training games are good, I think I even have one lying about somewhere! What you're saying is very re-assuring... practice, practice, practice seems to be the key for us folk!

Cheers