iv made my decision. where to now?
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Liquid
You are REDUCING the chances of becoming
a professional pilot by binning A levels
This is because in effect you are excluding sponsorship.
LISTEN to the advice.. These guys know
what they are talking about..
Now I know what George Bernard Shaw meant
when he said 'why is youth wasted on the young ..! '
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: RVR800 ]
You are REDUCING the chances of becoming
a professional pilot by binning A levels
This is because in effect you are excluding sponsorship.
LISTEN to the advice.. These guys know
what they are talking about..
Now I know what George Bernard Shaw meant
when he said 'why is youth wasted on the young ..! '
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: RVR800 ]
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Have you considered asking somebody who knows you for advice? Perhaps a teacher, parent or a friend of the family?
They may be better placed to advise you on whether you have the necessary personality traits, intelligence, social skills etc to become a professional pilot. The competencies necessary are easy to get hold of. It is very hard for us to give you advice as we don't even know your real name, past experiences, skills etc.
Let's have a look at the basics:
How many lessons have you had so far ?
We know you've not had a Class 1 medical.
You haven't done any form of testing to ascertain your suitability before embarking on a very expensive process.
If you had fully researched the subject, before making your decision I am sure you would have received advice that was more to your liking. You didn't. By the sound of it you have read PPrune a bit, like the idea of flying a jet, and decided the best way to do that was to leave full time education. Hardly an abject lesson in decision making.
There is a huge amount of support available to people through PPrune. However, don't expect to ask for advice and only hear how brave you've been when most people think you have been a bit daft.
I am sure that many people on this forum wish that they could turn the clock back and grab with both hands the chances that you are quite happy to throw away i.e attaining great A Levels results and a degree. These would stand you in good stead for the rest of your life, boring but true.
Noone doubts your enthusiasm, just your methods of attaining your dreams. In my opinion you aren't doing it in a rational or professional manner.
Go back to college. At least until you've worked out how to best achieve your dream and given the whole subject more respect.
Don't be a fool, go back to school!
Best regards
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Blindside ]
They may be better placed to advise you on whether you have the necessary personality traits, intelligence, social skills etc to become a professional pilot. The competencies necessary are easy to get hold of. It is very hard for us to give you advice as we don't even know your real name, past experiences, skills etc.
Let's have a look at the basics:
How many lessons have you had so far ?
We know you've not had a Class 1 medical.
You haven't done any form of testing to ascertain your suitability before embarking on a very expensive process.
If you had fully researched the subject, before making your decision I am sure you would have received advice that was more to your liking. You didn't. By the sound of it you have read PPrune a bit, like the idea of flying a jet, and decided the best way to do that was to leave full time education. Hardly an abject lesson in decision making.
There is a huge amount of support available to people through PPrune. However, don't expect to ask for advice and only hear how brave you've been when most people think you have been a bit daft.
I am sure that many people on this forum wish that they could turn the clock back and grab with both hands the chances that you are quite happy to throw away i.e attaining great A Levels results and a degree. These would stand you in good stead for the rest of your life, boring but true.
Noone doubts your enthusiasm, just your methods of attaining your dreams. In my opinion you aren't doing it in a rational or professional manner.
Go back to college. At least until you've worked out how to best achieve your dream and given the whole subject more respect.
Don't be a fool, go back to school!
Best regards
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Blindside ]
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A)go straight to work and start earning the pennys and eventually do my ppl.
B)Go back to work and earn around 10k. goto the banks and get 1/2loans to boost it up to 30k.
C)Use the money and do my CPL/ATPL/IR/MCC and possibly an instructers course.
B)Go back to work and earn around 10k. goto the banks and get 1/2loans to boost it up to 30k.
C)Use the money and do my CPL/ATPL/IR/MCC and possibly an instructers course.
Oh matey. I left college with 3 A' Levels last year (maths, physics, computing all at grade C). What have I saved up so far? Jack sh*t! and yes my only interest is aviation and the folks helped out
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ok.
Firstly i HAVE researched into this in fact iv spent the past YEAR researching into this career. The decision to leave college was made by things out of my control and therefore i have no influence into the decision.
This isnt a slap dash decision to start my training ASAP i have thought of every avenue and have spend hours thinking long and hard of the advantage and disadvantages of making this decision and believe me the advantages come out on top in my eyes.
I started this thread with one simple request and that was for no-one to try and talk me into going back to college but it seems that is all i have got.
I am asking for some serious advice so please could we start from scratch and leave out the persuading?
Thanks
Dave
Firstly i HAVE researched into this in fact iv spent the past YEAR researching into this career. The decision to leave college was made by things out of my control and therefore i have no influence into the decision.
This isnt a slap dash decision to start my training ASAP i have thought of every avenue and have spend hours thinking long and hard of the advantage and disadvantages of making this decision and believe me the advantages come out on top in my eyes.
I started this thread with one simple request and that was for no-one to try and talk me into going back to college but it seems that is all i have got.
I am asking for some serious advice so please could we start from scratch and leave out the persuading?
Thanks
Dave
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Dave, I would agree with everything the guys have already told you, however, if you're dead set on it and you're looking for the way forward one thing you may want to do is to get yourself down to a ground/flight school and take a look around.
Talk to the instructors about your plans, get their angle on your approach, they know what they're on about. Take a good look at the ATPL theory material, be sure that you are ready and able to tackle it, believe me when you see it stacked up from the floor upwards, it will give you a perspective on it you may not have had thus far.
It's HARD, there is no two ways about it, believe me. Please, do all you can to prepare yourself for what you think you are letting yourself in for, sheer bloody work, no pi$$ing about, then the ever so competitive job market to tackle.
I wish you all the very best however you go about things, but prepare yourself for it, please don't jump in without the most thorough research.
All the best.
(edited for cack grammar).
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: GonvilleBromhead ]
Talk to the instructors about your plans, get their angle on your approach, they know what they're on about. Take a good look at the ATPL theory material, be sure that you are ready and able to tackle it, believe me when you see it stacked up from the floor upwards, it will give you a perspective on it you may not have had thus far.
It's HARD, there is no two ways about it, believe me. Please, do all you can to prepare yourself for what you think you are letting yourself in for, sheer bloody work, no pi$$ing about, then the ever so competitive job market to tackle.
I wish you all the very best however you go about things, but prepare yourself for it, please don't jump in without the most thorough research.
All the best.
(edited for cack grammar).
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: GonvilleBromhead ]
LH,
In your first post, you state that you don't know where to start and ask for help. Bit further through the thread you tell us that you've spent a year researching the subject. Which is it?
You might have noticed that there is a general consensus on what you should do. If funding for college is a problem, then funding for flying is going to be equally problematic. If academics were causing you grief then the ATPL exams are going to be worse. And if you're lucky enough that money is no object, you may not have the raw ability and capacity to make it professionally as a pilot. Any way you look at the problem college will help you in the long term. Check the thread regarding motivation.
Finally, if you ask for advice, be prepared to hear answers you don't like. If you have sufficient determination to become a pilot you should have sufficient initiative to get back to college and complete your education.
In your first post, you state that you don't know where to start and ask for help. Bit further through the thread you tell us that you've spent a year researching the subject. Which is it?
You might have noticed that there is a general consensus on what you should do. If funding for college is a problem, then funding for flying is going to be equally problematic. If academics were causing you grief then the ATPL exams are going to be worse. And if you're lucky enough that money is no object, you may not have the raw ability and capacity to make it professionally as a pilot. Any way you look at the problem college will help you in the long term. Check the thread regarding motivation.
Finally, if you ask for advice, be prepared to hear answers you don't like. If you have sufficient determination to become a pilot you should have sufficient initiative to get back to college and complete your education.
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LH,
perhaps the fact is you wont do A levels cos your a dumbass? If you cant even pass an Alevel the only thing youll be flying is a flymo when your working as a gardener's assistant .
Get real think strait and listen to mommy
wake up, smell the coffee its time to land
perhaps the fact is you wont do A levels cos your a dumbass? If you cant even pass an Alevel the only thing youll be flying is a flymo when your working as a gardener's assistant .
Get real think strait and listen to mommy
wake up, smell the coffee its time to land
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I can only speak from my own personal experience but.
I left School in 1997 with 3 good A levels. I decided to go on to University and complete my degree.
I have now left University and am beginning the long road by applying to sponsorships etc and well paid graduate jobs if I have to do it myself.
I now have a full back if I fail a medical. I now have a full back that if after 25 years the aviation industry is now what we know it is to be now.
I wouldn't jump into anything and in all honesty would advise you to work hard and get those A Levels. There are no guarantees in life, and an extra year might seem to be the end of the world right now but don't look back in 20 odd years and say why didn't I do those A levels.
Best of luck in whatever you choose to do
Sagey
I left School in 1997 with 3 good A levels. I decided to go on to University and complete my degree.
I have now left University and am beginning the long road by applying to sponsorships etc and well paid graduate jobs if I have to do it myself.
I now have a full back if I fail a medical. I now have a full back that if after 25 years the aviation industry is now what we know it is to be now.
I wouldn't jump into anything and in all honesty would advise you to work hard and get those A Levels. There are no guarantees in life, and an extra year might seem to be the end of the world right now but don't look back in 20 odd years and say why didn't I do those A levels.
Best of luck in whatever you choose to do
Sagey
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ok
I...CAANTT....DOOO....MYYY....A-LEVELS...FOR...REASONS.THAT.......ARE.....BEYOND.......MY... ...COTROL!!!!!!.
NOT because i cant manage them.
and tugtisu does your mummy and daddy know you use big people message boards?? i bet they are very proud of you well done son.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stick to the question for the last time!!!!
I...CAANTT....DOOO....MYYY....A-LEVELS...FOR...REASONS.THAT.......ARE.....BEYOND.......MY... ...COTROL!!!!!!.
NOT because i cant manage them.
and tugtisu does your mummy and daddy know you use big people message boards?? i bet they are very proud of you well done son.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stick to the question for the last time!!!!
LH,
You want the answer to your question?
Leave college, get a job earning lots of money (cos that will be easy). Save 40-50k and then do an ab-initio course. Alternatively, leave college, get job earning moderate amounts of cash and do modular.
Now how do you propose to get a job that pays sufficient to get you through an ATPL? It's expensive enough for those people with full-time, well paid jobs let alone for someone with virtually no qualifications. And, as has been said before, no-one will look at you for sponsorship without 2 A-levels.
So, in a nutshell, you don't need help with the flying training, you need help finding well-paid employment. Now, if you had the answer to that question you'd be well on your way to making your first million.
Good luck
PS So why keep us in suspense, why can't you go to college?
You want the answer to your question?
Leave college, get a job earning lots of money (cos that will be easy). Save 40-50k and then do an ab-initio course. Alternatively, leave college, get job earning moderate amounts of cash and do modular.
Now how do you propose to get a job that pays sufficient to get you through an ATPL? It's expensive enough for those people with full-time, well paid jobs let alone for someone with virtually no qualifications. And, as has been said before, no-one will look at you for sponsorship without 2 A-levels.
So, in a nutshell, you don't need help with the flying training, you need help finding well-paid employment. Now, if you had the answer to that question you'd be well on your way to making your first million.
Good luck
PS So why keep us in suspense, why can't you go to college?
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Guys I think we're missing the point here! The key words are 'ive made my decision'.
It may have not entirely been his decision, can't you see that! It could be change in family circumstances that his family can't afford to keep him in education any longer- it does cost money (sorry Liquid if this isn't the case).
If this is indeed the case it still doesn't rule out night school- as this would be a good idea. However, the number one priority for Liquid is to earn money and look to the future. As for the sponsorship, you would be lucky to gain sponsorship if you have all the A-levels and degrees in the world. Although someone has to gain these elusive sponsorship places. However, A-levels are worth doing not for the sponsorship places but as to fall-back in later life etc.
Apologies again Liquid if the above isn't true about family circumstances, i'm just stabbing in the dark like everyone else!
It may have not entirely been his decision, can't you see that! It could be change in family circumstances that his family can't afford to keep him in education any longer- it does cost money (sorry Liquid if this isn't the case).
If this is indeed the case it still doesn't rule out night school- as this would be a good idea. However, the number one priority for Liquid is to earn money and look to the future. As for the sponsorship, you would be lucky to gain sponsorship if you have all the A-levels and degrees in the world. Although someone has to gain these elusive sponsorship places. However, A-levels are worth doing not for the sponsorship places but as to fall-back in later life etc.
Apologies again Liquid if the above isn't true about family circumstances, i'm just stabbing in the dark like everyone else!
All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last.
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If the situation is beyond your control the best thing you can do, I think, is spend the next several years working and flying at the same time.
You want to work and then do your PPL and then go back to work and save 10K and get 20K off the bank to pay for CPL/IR/MCC and Instructors rating. Don't know if this is the best way.
You may struggle to borrow the money as the banks are very strict on loans of that size. Unless you can get your parents to remortage their house you may struggle as the banks will consider you a bad risk as you only have GCSE's and AS Levels and should you not get a pilots job you will struggle to pay the loan back.
If your parents can re-mortage their house do you want that on your back.
Perhaps the best option is to get yourself a reasonable job where you can work your way up and stick with it (rather than temping / flying / temping etc and never getting a big pay increase) and use all your holidays and weekends to fly. Have one account for weekend flying (so never much money in)and an account like an ISA where you pay money in all year and never touch it so at the end of the year you can use that to pay for your night / distance learing etc. Most importantly develop an ability to live without a social life! It won't be easy and without a solid education behind you it will take you longer to save the money (as you won't be as well paid not because you can't count or anything) but you sound commited and thats half the battle.
Good luck.
Edited to remove some waffle!
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Capt Wannabee ]
You want to work and then do your PPL and then go back to work and save 10K and get 20K off the bank to pay for CPL/IR/MCC and Instructors rating. Don't know if this is the best way.
You may struggle to borrow the money as the banks are very strict on loans of that size. Unless you can get your parents to remortage their house you may struggle as the banks will consider you a bad risk as you only have GCSE's and AS Levels and should you not get a pilots job you will struggle to pay the loan back.
If your parents can re-mortage their house do you want that on your back.
Perhaps the best option is to get yourself a reasonable job where you can work your way up and stick with it (rather than temping / flying / temping etc and never getting a big pay increase) and use all your holidays and weekends to fly. Have one account for weekend flying (so never much money in)and an account like an ISA where you pay money in all year and never touch it so at the end of the year you can use that to pay for your night / distance learing etc. Most importantly develop an ability to live without a social life! It won't be easy and without a solid education behind you it will take you longer to save the money (as you won't be as well paid not because you can't count or anything) but you sound commited and thats half the battle.
Good luck.
Edited to remove some waffle!
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Capt Wannabee ]
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ok thanks a lot for the insight from the last two posts il find that information very helpful. and thankyou to those who stuck to my question. and tarmach what you said about financial dificulties, well its not the case but dont worry about it i know you were just 'for instancing'.
Thanks
Il keep you updated
Dave
Thanks
Il keep you updated
Dave
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Tarmach - how can he have made the decision to quit college, when we keep being told that it is out of his control??
I am also intrigued as to why he has had to leave college. But if he doesn't want to tell the whole story he doesn't have to - it's his thread.
I'm bored of acting as Clare Raynor as the lad doesn't want to listen anyway.
Please keep me posted Liquid, I'll be very interested in how you get on.
But just for good measure and to wind you up -
Stay in school - you know it's cool!!!!
I am also intrigued as to why he has had to leave college. But if he doesn't want to tell the whole story he doesn't have to - it's his thread.
I'm bored of acting as Clare Raynor as the lad doesn't want to listen anyway.
Please keep me posted Liquid, I'll be very interested in how you get on.
But just for good measure and to wind you up -
Stay in school - you know it's cool!!!!
Hope you've got a better answer than that when you apply for a job! You may not wish to air your past on this forum (which is still anonymous) but a potential employer might want to know why you jacked in your education to stack shelves.
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I am a little disturbed by the slightly disparaging comments directed at LH on this thread.
The wannabes forum is specifically for people in LH’s situation; know where they want to go, but not sure how to get there. I understand and appreciate other board members views and opinions with regards to education and the vehement competition for Airline jobs. I myself think LH is unwise and is putting himself at a disadvantage to finish education with what can only be described as weak qualifications (sorry to everybody with AS qualifications). But I respect LH’s position; cannot continue with education for whatever reason but desperately wants to become a commercial pilot. He needs to be made aware of the situation facing him but I feel constant berating will do him no good, especially if this board is the only contact he has with aviation at the moment.
Edited for printing a misleading statement, or so it seems.
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Seth Gecko ]
The wannabes forum is specifically for people in LH’s situation; know where they want to go, but not sure how to get there. I understand and appreciate other board members views and opinions with regards to education and the vehement competition for Airline jobs. I myself think LH is unwise and is putting himself at a disadvantage to finish education with what can only be described as weak qualifications (sorry to everybody with AS qualifications). But I respect LH’s position; cannot continue with education for whatever reason but desperately wants to become a commercial pilot. He needs to be made aware of the situation facing him but I feel constant berating will do him no good, especially if this board is the only contact he has with aviation at the moment.
Edited for printing a misleading statement, or so it seems.
[ 23 July 2001: Message edited by: Seth Gecko ]