Oh My God - I have done it -- and I am scared
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Spit,
Well done. I too made the move last year. It's funny that throughout your training you'll find that you cant wait to get onto the next stage of your training knowing that everyday that passes, you're a step closer to your dream!
The ATPL groundschool seems to drag while you're there, and I couldnt wait to start the CPL, but as soon as I had passed all 14 (long 7 months), and started the CPL, I was kind of wishing I was back in the classroom. No, the flying is better than the class, but its all a very enjoyable experience.
If I could give you one piece of advice for September it would be: Make things easy on yourself and work like a slave during the groundschool, because you will not want to retake any of the ATPL exams. If you think someone is studying harder than you, then study harder yourself, It WILL pay off.
Best of luck, see you at FL360 soon.
Well done. I too made the move last year. It's funny that throughout your training you'll find that you cant wait to get onto the next stage of your training knowing that everyday that passes, you're a step closer to your dream!
The ATPL groundschool seems to drag while you're there, and I couldnt wait to start the CPL, but as soon as I had passed all 14 (long 7 months), and started the CPL, I was kind of wishing I was back in the classroom. No, the flying is better than the class, but its all a very enjoyable experience.
If I could give you one piece of advice for September it would be: Make things easy on yourself and work like a slave during the groundschool, because you will not want to retake any of the ATPL exams. If you think someone is studying harder than you, then study harder yourself, It WILL pay off.
Best of luck, see you at FL360 soon.
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Spit / EGLG777,
Just out of interest, I presume you two are both starting the pure ATPL course at the LGU?
I'm starting the aviation managment degree in the same building, also in September. Sure to see you both thre.
Just out of interest, can I ask how old you two both are?
Cheers!
FJW.
Just out of interest, I presume you two are both starting the pure ATPL course at the LGU?
I'm starting the aviation managment degree in the same building, also in September. Sure to see you both thre.
Just out of interest, can I ask how old you two both are?
Cheers!
FJW.
Join Date: May 2001
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Spitfire:
Look at it this way... you can't afford not to.
I thought about it when there was still time, but there were lines of lesser resistance into other more profitable careers, and the time passed me by. I'm in my middle years now and it'll never happen. I keep my hand in with a little helicopter instruction but I missed the boat and there isn't another one.
Look at it this way... you can't afford not to.
I thought about it when there was still time, but there were lines of lesser resistance into other more profitable careers, and the time passed me by. I'm in my middle years now and it'll never happen. I keep my hand in with a little helicopter instruction but I missed the boat and there isn't another one.
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Spit,
Good luck
Just remember to work hard at the groundschool and aim for a first time pass in all subjects. I took Met 3 times under the old system and the strain is somthing else
Also whether on groundschool or flying you will probably hit a wall that apears too high - remember that eveybody who is flying and getting paid has been there and bought the T-shirt so stick with it.
Good luck.
Good luck
Just remember to work hard at the groundschool and aim for a first time pass in all subjects. I took Met 3 times under the old system and the strain is somthing else Also whether on groundschool or flying you will probably hit a wall that apears too high - remember that eveybody who is flying and getting paid has been there and bought the T-shirt so stick with it.
Good luck.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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I'll apologise in advance for wetting a few bonfires....
I work for a very successful operator, flying and doing some fascinating office work, and yet I would drop it all tomorrow for a 'proper' job with weekends off and predictable hours. When it's good, it's oh-so-good. The rest, the majority of the time, it's awful.
Sadly, once you fly, you have only one skill. Yes, think about it seriously, only one skill. If you can't make money exercising that skill, you're dead in the water. Most other professionals have skills which would allow them to re-train into other well-paid professions with relative ease. Pilots don't. Very few professionals work as hard as pilots can, or do so much extremely early and late work. I have some strong feelings about the long-term effects of working to the limits of CAP371 or equivalent. Take a look at the (few) statistical analyses of survival amongst long-term long-haul pilots. Yes, this job will kill you early.
You'll work in an industry now wholly-owned by accountants. Standards are lower than ever and falling. Believe me, I've seen it (from the flight deck, the office, and the regulatory stand-point).
Finally, no other equivalent profession expects its inductees to cover the entire cost of their basic training. Does this not tell you something extremely profound about the manner in which your future employers will view you?
I'd love to go on for pages, and maybe one day I will, but not now. It's time for bed. Saturday tomorrow, and whilst the kids take the day off I'll be flying again. And Sunday too.
I work for a very successful operator, flying and doing some fascinating office work, and yet I would drop it all tomorrow for a 'proper' job with weekends off and predictable hours. When it's good, it's oh-so-good. The rest, the majority of the time, it's awful.
Sadly, once you fly, you have only one skill. Yes, think about it seriously, only one skill. If you can't make money exercising that skill, you're dead in the water. Most other professionals have skills which would allow them to re-train into other well-paid professions with relative ease. Pilots don't. Very few professionals work as hard as pilots can, or do so much extremely early and late work. I have some strong feelings about the long-term effects of working to the limits of CAP371 or equivalent. Take a look at the (few) statistical analyses of survival amongst long-term long-haul pilots. Yes, this job will kill you early.
You'll work in an industry now wholly-owned by accountants. Standards are lower than ever and falling. Believe me, I've seen it (from the flight deck, the office, and the regulatory stand-point).
Finally, no other equivalent profession expects its inductees to cover the entire cost of their basic training. Does this not tell you something extremely profound about the manner in which your future employers will view you?
I'd love to go on for pages, and maybe one day I will, but not now. It's time for bed. Saturday tomorrow, and whilst the kids take the day off I'll be flying again. And Sunday too.
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Good luck to you Sunshine, I hope your enthusiasm never dulls. I ejected from my day job last year to do something I wanted to, except in my case it was to get out of aviation. Oh and don't forget, you get to slip the surly bonds thanks to the efforts of maintenance, so be nice to them lest they tie knots in your pilots relief tube.
Grim Sleeper
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Spit
You are on the right track. Self belief will get you there in the end. Despite Northern Sky's jaded grumblings, you know commercial flying's what you want to do, warts and all.
The CPL/IR is hard work, but get through it. I don't think exam results are worth that much in the real world, just try to get them out of the way asap, as its that part of the course that saps most poeple's enthusiasm. Make six months sacrifice of your whole life just to get rid of them, and then the fun will really start.
Don't sweat it - just remain a believer!!
You are on the right track. Self belief will get you there in the end. Despite Northern Sky's jaded grumblings, you know commercial flying's what you want to do, warts and all.
The CPL/IR is hard work, but get through it. I don't think exam results are worth that much in the real world, just try to get them out of the way asap, as its that part of the course that saps most poeple's enthusiasm. Make six months sacrifice of your whole life just to get rid of them, and then the fun will really start.
Don't sweat it - just remain a believer!!
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Stator i`d agree -
`the feeling when you walk down the jetway to your shiny jet`
well most of the time i think `who are the cabin crew`, or`i bet the last gash ****** left the flight deck in a real messy state`or its bloody cold and wet out there wonder why the skippers given the sector to me?`
and thinking about walking round a cessna - did i really used to have to fly those things - nah must have been a bad dream, there`s no brewers or toilets! and where are you supposed to keep your crew meal!
`the feeling when you walk down the jetway to your shiny jet`
well most of the time i think `who are the cabin crew`, or`i bet the last gash ****** left the flight deck in a real messy state`or its bloody cold and wet out there wonder why the skippers given the sector to me?`
and thinking about walking round a cessna - did i really used to have to fly those things - nah must have been a bad dream, there`s no brewers or toilets! and where are you supposed to keep your crew meal!
Join Date: Apr 2002
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To all of you starting an aviation carreer :
you won't regret it. It's the greatest 'job' you could ever imagine.
It won't be easy and don't think the hard work is done once you find yourself in the RHseat of that 'shiny' jet...
I've been working for Sabena for three years and loved the experience but find myself now again as a 'wannabee'. Hard times but I agree with Spitf747 "If you want it hard enough..."
Can't wait to find myself back in the good old 737 !!!
Best of luck to you all.
you won't regret it. It's the greatest 'job' you could ever imagine.
It won't be easy and don't think the hard work is done once you find yourself in the RHseat of that 'shiny' jet...
I've been working for Sabena for three years and loved the experience but find myself now again as a 'wannabee'. Hard times but I agree with Spitf747 "If you want it hard enough..."
Can't wait to find myself back in the good old 737 !!!
Best of luck to you all.
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Spit
Well done, stick at it as it will not be easy. Yes, walking down the airbridge feels great, but sitting in the seat and placing it softly on the tarmac in tricky conditions feels even better! This is how I got to the rhs of the 757; http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...&threadid=6911
Good luck
PP
Well done, stick at it as it will not be easy. Yes, walking down the airbridge feels great, but sitting in the seat and placing it softly on the tarmac in tricky conditions feels even better! This is how I got to the rhs of the 757; http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...&threadid=6911
Good luck
PP
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I must say this topic has brought to me a little hope after the 9/11 every airline needs money to stay afloat thing. I would like to thanks to spitfire and all the others who dare to dream. This thread really helped me out thanks.
Thread Starter
I remember back to my childhood to a film called "The Boy Who Could Fly"
The punchline was:
WISH HARD ENOUGH, LOVE LONG ENOUGH and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Words of truth !
The punchline was:
WISH HARD ENOUGH, LOVE LONG ENOUGH and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Words of truth !
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Pilot Pete,
I read your post on how you got there from your link above. Wow, sounds like you had your fair share of good and bad times.
I, like you did, am training in a similar way, and not sure now if I'm looking forward to my next test, the CPL skills test, seeing as you said it was one of your most worrying!
Anyway, well done to you, to me, and to all others who have taken their first lesson in a C150 or have just had their first take off clearance in a large jet, to one and all, like you said, if you want it enough you'll get there, and it's with that in mind, I'll see you and no doubt many others reading this at FL360 one day!
Must dash, got some CPL checks to revise!!
I read your post on how you got there from your link above. Wow, sounds like you had your fair share of good and bad times.
I, like you did, am training in a similar way, and not sure now if I'm looking forward to my next test, the CPL skills test, seeing as you said it was one of your most worrying!
Anyway, well done to you, to me, and to all others who have taken their first lesson in a C150 or have just had their first take off clearance in a large jet, to one and all, like you said, if you want it enough you'll get there, and it's with that in mind, I'll see you and no doubt many others reading this at FL360 one day!
Must dash, got some CPL checks to revise!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
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I fully remember my first walk to the jet, feeling like an aviation god with my "gold stripes" and flight case,feeling proud and confident.
Just then the bloody handle fell off and disgorged the contents all over the apron, at least giving the spectators terrace a good laugh at the t**t below,
Hope your first day is better
Just then the bloody handle fell off and disgorged the contents all over the apron, at least giving the spectators terrace a good laugh at the t**t below,
Hope your first day is better
Thread Starter
right, less than two weeks to go untill I start the course at LGU, am i scared still, erm..... YES, **it scared infact, but life is boring without risk.
Life will be tough, no job no money, no beer, stale bread and cabbage water but it will be fun, i WILL pass and will go on to be a good pilot.
There is alot of pessimistic people on here and alot of optimistic ones aswell, my pint glass his half full, it has got to be, without optimism and a sense of humour I will never make it.
Ladies and gentlemen, all raise your glasses to our futures !!!
Spitty
Life will be tough, no job no money, no beer, stale bread and cabbage water but it will be fun, i WILL pass and will go on to be a good pilot.
There is alot of pessimistic people on here and alot of optimistic ones aswell, my pint glass his half full, it has got to be, without optimism and a sense of humour I will never make it.
Ladies and gentlemen, all raise your glasses to our futures !!!
Spitty
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Wow, this post couldn't be timed better! I am quitting my job in the coming weeks. I'm due to take my PPL skills test in two weeks, did my X country qualifier last week and have hour building booked in South Africa for October. There is so much going on at present, all new things that are scary as hell but I cannot help feeling excited as hell.
I start my ATPL's in November with ATA and yes I'm anxious about how difficult it is going to be but to read some of the posts here really helps to solidify that there is a way through and the risk and the pain will be worthwhile...........one day.
Good luck to all those who take it by the throat and make it happen, we're all taking risk in our own ways, my mortgage will be the size of the national debt of some small countries but having worked in IT for several years, I know that the pursuit of money alone does not make you happy......go and do it.
I start my ATPL's in November with ATA and yes I'm anxious about how difficult it is going to be but to read some of the posts here really helps to solidify that there is a way through and the risk and the pain will be worthwhile...........one day.
Good luck to all those who take it by the throat and make it happen, we're all taking risk in our own ways, my mortgage will be the size of the national debt of some small countries but having worked in IT for several years, I know that the pursuit of money alone does not make you happy......go and do it.
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I prety much agree with NorthernSky comments on the state of the air transport industry. By and large because the same state of affairs appears to be present in most other industries.
Long hours, ungrateful (and not always competent) managers that take you for granted and for a mug, ever decreasing standards and so on.
All this will probably be a factor in what ever industry you work in. It has been in my experience and that of others I've talked to.
Hence I don't really see this as a good reason (at least by itself) not to go and work in a job you'll love.
Long hours, ungrateful (and not always competent) managers that take you for granted and for a mug, ever decreasing standards and so on.
All this will probably be a factor in what ever industry you work in. It has been in my experience and that of others I've talked to.
Hence I don't really see this as a good reason (at least by itself) not to go and work in a job you'll love.
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It's better to be skint but studying for a job you really want and will really love, than to be paid well but working in a job which is unfulfilling.
To those of you 'going for it' - best of luck, see you up there
To those of you 'going for it' - best of luck, see you up there