Aha! So I can initially go on an F1 visa then change to an E3 when receive a job offer which allows 2 year extensions on an unlimited basis. Nice.

Ill PM too. Thanks

1 You don't need A levels to become a pilot.
2 You don't need an ATPL to fly for an airline
3 Your first professional licence will be a CPL
4 You can only get an ATPL once you've got enough airline experience (with your CPL)
5 Stop making excuses and become a pilot

Hear hear! Those academic requirements are for courses for the likes of easyj or FR, stuff you generally want to avoid getting mixed in with (few others had a very very bad experience) but there's generally no academic requirements to become a pilot just do your exams and it generally shows your capable. The longer you dwell on a levels that won't matter the longer you have till your flying


P.s sure a levels may be relevant when shortlisting candidates, however im not too sure.

Arithmetic; Sin/Cos/Tan is as difficult as it gets.
Physics at GCSE/Nat 5 is adequate. Boyle Law: Charles Law for meteorology is fine.

Get your Class One Medical first. Then PPL course & follow the modular route when the C-19 tsunami abates.

This sums it up. Don't think to much about the requirements, too be honest I think you're better off if you go in with a general understanding of maths and physics, such that you can absorb whatever EASA requires you to learn without doubt or hesitation.

An higher degree can work against you if they coincide with your ATPL subjects (mech/electr. engineer, medical students, etc). The exam questions often require a 'dumbed down' thinking pattern and are sometimes blatantly wrong, which favors the ones without in-depth knowledge beyond the atpl books.

Last century when the CAA set the exams pre JAR/EASA we had retired RAF A2 join the flying club as a part time instructor, aged 55.
He had decided to sit the CPL exams which were split into NAV BLOCK & TECH BLOCK.
The paper in question was DC ELECTRICS.

As an experienced aviator, he had flown Nimrod, Jetstream, Bulldog to name but a few. This question arose which completely baffled him, as the correct answer was three of the four responses depending which type from his experience he had flown. A C152 pilot would have known the “correct”.

In those days you could phone up the CAA and speak to the exam dept. The lady answering the phone said that they had been many phones complaining about that paper. He passed the resit.

Hello all,
I'll start by telling you all that I'm a complete newbie to the aviation industry as my only method of learning of it is reading of it for years (so don't go too hard on me). I'm currently a year 12 student who is looking at preferences for the future, with a major one being getting a bachelor in science (professional pilot) from a university flight school. I've been considering this avenue for years now, but this pandemic has put extra strain on my thoughts. My first issue is the availability of jobs in Victoria. I understand that pilot jobs are clearly not everywhere, forcing some to go interstate to find work, but this is a very unlikely scenario for me to undertake (family stuff = little to no chance). This means I'm limited to finding jobs in Victoria if there are even enough AUS wide for a graduate pilot! This on top of many other commercial plots losing work makes me feel as if my other not so interesting career avenues are more of a reality. The pandemic has also made me think about "backup" degrees, and I was wondering if any of you got a degree before going into flight school (which seems like a nice but EXTRA expensive idea).
In conclusion, commercial aviation would be a dream career for me, but is it really worth it in this day and age in this situation?
Thank you and please go easy

'Pilot' isn't generally a career which allows you to chose where you live mate. Your first job might be in Botswana, your second in Vietnam etc.. It's not like getting a 'job' in the town you live - you have to make huge sacrifices in your personal life to make it work: basically you have to be prepared to give up everything for the job then rebuild your life around it. Christ that makes it sound depressing! 😂

Thezk77

Yup, I’m in year 12, seemed quite easy, I got good grades in GCSE, predicted good grades for A level, was all happy thinking I could get tagged by an airline and QuickTime do an integrated program be a pilot by 21 etc etc, but corona hit and it’s made me rethink my options, slowing down entry to training is my best bet as pilot demand will still be there after this is over, no one is just going to stop Flying for holidays / meeting family etc . I’m thinking of doing a degree apprenticeship (get your degree fully funded +16,000 to 21,000 (Exc tax) year starting salary from your first year of uni at 18), spend 4 years at either BAe Or Airbus so I can say I have worked around aeroplanes in a mechanical engineering / aerospace engineering degree. This will 1. Get me a degree, 2. Help towards funding my flying 3. Delay my entry to training which is really important as big corona has made a show and is sacking people from pilot and other jobs rapidly, hope my view on things helped

Id also like to weigh in here, as you see, pilots have been made redundant, with no back up plans, they go straight from college to a big ATO get their licences and go straight into an airbus, to find out their career options are narrow, an ATPL mean virtually nothing to any job thats not a flying job IMO, hense why people say go to uni first but you can always do the course along side your flying, its personal preference. The state of the industry you're better off going to uni than train intergrated at the current moment, at least a uni course will keep you busy and you can do your PPL along side your uni course just until the industry picks up...which it will....eventually.

As someone in university studying on a pilot programme and doing my PPL at the same time, do be careful of the university you chose. The level varies vastly, especially from the US to the UK, i'm quite disappointed actually of some standards in the UK and would highly recommend not doing a pilot programme. Rather an engineering programme or a related field you enjoy. Also beware that modular costs are too still very high, especially in the UK. So at the end of the day the choice you make going into the industry varies largely on the state of the industry and how fast you are able to enter it and make your money back from it. You are a young laddy and by the time you're ready to go for a job interview we shall all hope the economy and industry is booming again. Back to topic, choose a degree you will be passionate about rather than trying to match it to aviation as it wont greatly help you as a pilot. Best of luck.

Blackbird0242

Would I be right in saying that you were taking the CAE aptitude testing a few weeks ago, and yet you are on a University course ~ pilot program ?

I would agree with you about choosing a course which interests you, preferably not aviation related
(broadens your horizons), and not the status of ‘Underwater basket weaving’.

Yes, you would be right. During year 2 at my university you are required to sit the atpl exams as they count as credits towards your degree. CAE has a strong connection with my school but is not the only option, it is just close by and convenient as are all oxford flight schools.

Hello,

I am after some advice and general guidance please, mainly on if my plan seems achievable:

I am 31 years old and I am currently in the Royal Navy (not aircrew). I have 8.5 years left to serve and I am interested in a career in aviation.

I am looking to begin training via a modular route. I am on the waiting list (awaiting the fallout from COVID) at a flying school to begin my PPL(A) followed by IR(R).

I plan to try and hour build in the local area over the next 6/7 years, but also while deployed abroad to keep it interesting and experience new scenery/views. Then around 2027/2028 start to undertake ATPL theory, Commercial Pilot Training, MEP, CB/IR, UPRT and MCC, leading to a fATPL by the time I leave the Armed Forces in 2029.

I plan on self funding throughout and I have the means to do this. I am settled in a good house with my wife and two kids. We have no current debt other than a mortgage and my wife is on a good salary as a scientist.

The advice I am seeking is... First of all, is this a realistic and sensible plan?
I believe so myself, however all the research I have done is so confusing and conflicting. I want to ensure I have not missed anything out and that I am taking the best/most cost effective route.

Next - Am I being realistic in thinking I would stand a chance at a career with an airline at the age of 40? I am hoping that my 22 years military career will be of some benefit in an interview perhaps (life experience, disciplined etc)? But age seems a real issue from what I have read, with airlines prefering 20/21 yr olds. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who has entered the pipeline at an older age to detail any challenges/hurdles they have faced.

The biggest issue I am having and the dilemma I question every day is this... Am I wasting my time dreaming of this career and it really isn't achievable for someone my age.

I realise I am in a good position with a full military pension in my back pocket at age 40, so therefore the risk I suppose is a lot lower than some. But I always like to know what I am getting myself in to...

Any advice greatly appreciated, further expansion on any of the commercial courses also appreciated, in particular the CB/IR (very confused by this).

Also apologies if the questions I have asked have already cropped up. I have found similar but nothing substantial that has answered my questions.

Thanks

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

I am sure you are medically fit, but obtain a Class One Medical before your PPL phase. The ATO will be best place to answer your on going questions.
Age can be an issue, as hiring will tend to favour the younger brethren.

Probably more chance of being hired by a turbo prop operator aged 40; that will undoubtedly require a move.
Instructing is another option for late starters.

Look up EASTERN & LOGANAIR for TP operators.

Have a Plan B.

Loads of aviation careers start at 40. Nothing unusual there. This thread is titled "My dream" - if it really is your dream then why is there any doubt?

The most cost effective UK based approach? PPL, night, IRR, MEP, CBIR (ME), CPL (SE) in that order.

The CBIR is basically a reduced amount of training and experience before you take the IR test. The traditional 55 hour course is way too long for all but the slowest learners, which makes CBIR the preferred route, plus it avoids simulator time. Simulators are great when they're used correctly to repeat maneuvers etc, but they rarely are: They're usually used to fill out the IFR requirements for the IR. So although SIM hours count towards the IR, they can't be logged as flight time for your CPL (and ATOs can charge almost as much for a SIM as an SEP!) . Doing a CBIR and reducing SIM time by using a single engine plane instead actually kills two birds with one stone and saves a fortune. The biggest mistake you can make in flight training is getting a PPL, hour building, getting a CPL then getting an IR. That's 45 hours of training after they've hit 200 hours and got their CPL. By simply getting your IR before your CPL you can incorporate the IR training into existing flying and save thousands.

Thankfully, moving away isn't a huge deal to be honest, I am used to being away from home for long periods, sometimes over 8/9 months at a time. In fact I am 99% sure my wife prefers it to be honest!

I am aware of Logan Air already and they have not long started operating out of my local airport (Southampton) so therefore that would be an ideal option. I will certainly take a look at Eastern.

I'm well aware that there are options other than the 737/A320 and I am more than open to other A/C types.

Also, there is always a plan b, thankfully the Military rely on ex serviceman as instructors a lot of the time. I am currently an instructor at the moment for trainees, therefore as a fallback I am sure I could do that.

@RUDESTUFF thanks for the advice. This is the main area I am confused with, the order of the training! I will certainly research the way you have suggested and work out a realistic timeline and financial contribution.

Cilla1989

You could do it quicker than 6/7 years and still have a good couple of years just under 15 if you get there soon. However I wouldnt recommend going intergrated 100% modular due to corona virus but make sure, I cant stress this enough, make sure you can hold a class 1 medical your local AME should issue you one providing you have no major issues.

Hello,

My thought is to start with ATPL theory classes during the autumn. I have not paid the initial fee because I'm not 100% sure yet. I want to do that full time in a class room in that case. Me, personally, like being prepared. Especially since it costs money and will consume a lot of my time. Because of this I started looking for ATPL books on a local website. I found a guy selling books for a fairly cheap price. I feel like that is a good investment to start reading now to be more prepared. The one thing that concerns me is that the books are from Nordian (2018 edition). In the ATPL theory I will use the books from Bristol.

In terms of the price for the Nordian books, I'll take it as long as that will give me some sort of advantage. What are your thoughts about the ATPL books from Nordian? Are they good enough to thank myself for starting my studies earlier? My goal is not to write any exams based on these books, just to get a grasp of every subject. Since the guy is selling the books from a really low price, I'm very interested. What are your thoughts about doing that?