Advice Required
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: Chelmsford
Advice Required
Hi, I am currently 16 and doing GCSES and will stop at nothing to become an airline pilot. It is my dream and something that I am completely sure of. MY parents are willing to pay, but I don't want to put this on them, especially since they are so near to retiring. Does anyone have any tips about what I can do between now and my A-Levels to help me secure a place?
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Leeds
Hi, I am currently 16 and doing GCSES and will stop at nothing to become an airline pilot. It is my dream and something that I am completely sure of. MY parents are willing to pay, but I don't want to put this on them, especially since they are so near to retiring. Does anyone have any tips about what I can do between now and my A-Levels to help me secure a place?
Joined: Feb 2026
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: England
First and foremost, do a trial flying less, if you like the school or instructor, sign up for more. Don't rush things and take the process seriously, learn and digest everything, it's not a race to qualification. It is better to take longer to get your license and develop your skills than to rush it and be inexperienced when certain situations arise.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Hong Kong
Hi, I am currently 16 and doing GCSES and will stop at nothing to become an airline pilot. It is my dream and something that I am completely sure of. MY parents are willing to pay, but I don't want to put this on them, especially since they are so near to retiring. Does anyone have any tips about what I can do between now and my A-Levels to help me secure a place?
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: Chelmsford
I have thought about applying to university, as that seems to improve your chances of getting selected within the scheme, but if I do a degree, I am still in debt and studying for 32 to 4 extra years in something I do not want to, all for the chance of fully-funded.
I have also already taken a trial flight with the Air Cadets, I loved every bit of it.
Is there anything I can do to stand-out compared to everyone else, since I would be fresh out of school with just GCSES and A-Levels. I am already trying to get aviation related work experiences (they are far and few between and plan to work part time this summer, as a lifeguard if vacancies permit)
I have also already taken a trial flight with the Air Cadets, I loved every bit of it.
Is there anything I can do to stand-out compared to everyone else, since I would be fresh out of school with just GCSES and A-Levels. I am already trying to get aviation related work experiences (they are far and few between and plan to work part time this summer, as a lifeguard if vacancies permit)
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: USA
Mannan,
Another thing you might do while you're progressing toward the starting point of actually flying is, if you haven't done it already, to get some free online books about the nuts and bolts of flying and airplanes. Casually read them to see if the material actually piques your interest.
Good luck with your plans.
Another thing you might do while you're progressing toward the starting point of actually flying is, if you haven't done it already, to get some free online books about the nuts and bolts of flying and airplanes. Casually read them to see if the material actually piques your interest.
Good luck with your plans.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 6
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From: Chelmsford
Mannan,
Another thing you might do while you're progressing toward the starting point of actually flying is, if you haven't done it already, to get some free online books about the nuts and bolts of flying and airplanes. Casually read them to see if the material actually piques your interest.
Good luck with your plans.
Another thing you might do while you're progressing toward the starting point of actually flying is, if you haven't done it already, to get some free online books about the nuts and bolts of flying and airplanes. Casually read them to see if the material actually piques your interest.
Good luck with your plans.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,973
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From: Hong Kong
Joined: Jan 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: Home
Pilot Careers Live
Hi, I wouldn't spend £1k on a medical until get the offer of a job or training course. Go to Pilot Careers Live at Heathrow in April, talk to all the airlines that offer free training and training schools. Good Luck
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Hong Kong
Good advice for someone who thinks they should get a free ride or alternatively just give up, however the OP "will stop at nothing" to become a pilot. A medical is mandatory no matter what. There is a 99% chance that the offer of a job will never come and the OP will need to make things happen by themselves.
Joined: Aug 2024
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From: London
Have a look at gliding. Your nearest club https://esgc.co.uk/ offers a Junior scheme, making it affordable. Also there's plenty of other people your age who do gliding so can make likeminded freiends. Also worth looking at scholarships and bursaries which are well worth applying for https://airleague.co.uk/our-programm...-and-bursaries & https://www.airpilots.org/scholarshi...-scholarships/. BA has openly admitted that doing Gliding is a big tick box on your CV and will only help you. As others have also said, go to PCL at London Heathrow and get a Class 1 medical done when you can before spending any money. Good luck!
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: USA
I'm not familiar with Skyfaring so I don't know if it's a technical publication. I was thinking more of something like this (or its EU equivalent):
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli.../aviation/phak
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
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From: UK
I have always considered Ridestuff’s unwavering first suggestion - to go get a Class One medical, to be absolutely top advice for anyone who dreams to be a commercial pilot. Yes it’s expensive, but it does two things for you. Firstly; if you can’t get a Class One, that’s it - dream over. You’d better stop wasting time on it, and get stuck into considering what other career you’re going to work towards. You could be super fit, but have undiagnosed colour vision and you’d be screwed (for example). Secondly, if you’re interested in a sponsored scheme, the possession of a Class One is probably the cheapest thing you can do to demonstrate that you are serious about wanting the career, and that you are not just applying on a whim, on the off chance that you get selected.
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: FLSomething
Couldnt’t disagree more I’m afraid. You want to be a pilot? You need a medical. Get it done. I appreciate I’ve just repeated what’s been said above, but OP please take this as another vote for just getting on with the class 1.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
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From: Duit On Mon Dei
I definitely agree with getting a Class 1. It is expensive but far cheaper than enrolling in classes etc and then finding out you have a disqualifying condition. (I saw it happen).
If the price puts a prospective pilot off, then wait until you see the price of an instrument rating or type rating... And try to keep them current!
A candidate can look up the requirements for the class 1 online (go to official sites only) and then ask your doctor, optician and audiologist how your numbers compare.
As for the degree thing? They are expensive (although free in some countries) and in reality, unless you have experience in the field, then a degree can be more of a hindrance. Parents like them but unless it's a Masters or higher, generally no one cares. You can do what I did and get a couple while working.
Good luck.
If the price puts a prospective pilot off, then wait until you see the price of an instrument rating or type rating... And try to keep them current!
A candidate can look up the requirements for the class 1 online (go to official sites only) and then ask your doctor, optician and audiologist how your numbers compare.
As for the degree thing? They are expensive (although free in some countries) and in reality, unless you have experience in the field, then a degree can be more of a hindrance. Parents like them but unless it's a Masters or higher, generally no one cares. You can do what I did and get a couple while working.
Good luck.
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Sunny Solihull
Here's another vote for get your Class 1.
The son of a friend of mine is in similar position to Mannan & he is having some difficulty in getting through his Class 1 due to some medication for a couple of minor issues. The doctors/specialists expect everything to be okay eventually (at least off the medication for x weeks) but in the meantime his PPL training is on hold. Sometimes it is the medication & not the underlying condition that prevents a Class 1 issue.
The son of a friend of mine is in similar position to Mannan & he is having some difficulty in getting through his Class 1 due to some medication for a couple of minor issues. The doctors/specialists expect everything to be okay eventually (at least off the medication for x weeks) but in the meantime his PPL training is on hold. Sometimes it is the medication & not the underlying condition that prevents a Class 1 issue.
