Aspiring Pilot - 16 Year Old from UK
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Joined: Jun 2026
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From: UK
Aspiring Pilot - 16 Year Old from UK
Good Morning,
I write on behalf of my son, who is currently 16 (turning 17 in a couple of months) and is in his first year of studying A Levels, in West Midlands - UK.
Just under a month ago, we had our first father and son flying experience with Almat Flying School at Coventry Airport, where he got the opportunity to fly a Cessna 4-Seater and following that experience, he has expressed some interest in considering a career in flying and based on his friendly and hands-on personality, I think it's something I would like to support him with.
We have now started the mountainous research stages and we were looking for some advice from youngsters who have maybe been in a similar experience.
We have so many options available, that we almost feel like information overload is causing some confusion on where to go next, therefore we would really appreciate some opinions and advice on the questions below please...
Regards,
MSP100
I write on behalf of my son, who is currently 16 (turning 17 in a couple of months) and is in his first year of studying A Levels, in West Midlands - UK.
Just under a month ago, we had our first father and son flying experience with Almat Flying School at Coventry Airport, where he got the opportunity to fly a Cessna 4-Seater and following that experience, he has expressed some interest in considering a career in flying and based on his friendly and hands-on personality, I think it's something I would like to support him with.
We have now started the mountainous research stages and we were looking for some advice from youngsters who have maybe been in a similar experience.
We have so many options available, that we almost feel like information overload is causing some confusion on where to go next, therefore we would really appreciate some opinions and advice on the questions below please...
- On the basis he could complete an integrated programme, would it be beneficial considering a flying school with overseas links?
- As he is in education for another 13 months at his current age of almost 17, could he do any preparation training during his weekends and holidays that would give him a head start before joining an integrated programme?
- A friend who lives in Cyprus mentioned a flying school there, and kindly offered to provide accommodation and support throughout the programme - sound like a good opportunity?
- What is the typical timescales from your experience for students to fulfil their first pilot position once they have completed the course and could his younger age hinder him?
- Lastly, we attended a 2Fly seminar over the weekend which was really informative and included flying time in Florida, but it also felt like a polished sales pitch with a heavy up front cost schedule, therefore would appreciate any thoughts on this?
Regards,
MSP100
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Joined: Jun 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: MAN. UK.
As you have a lot of very justifiable questions I'm going to pop you over to the Professional Pilot Training forum where you'll get a better response from those already on the journey.
Good luck to your son.
Good luck to your son.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 519
Likes: 16
From: Luton
A good approach at his age is to suggest he joins a gliding club.
https://www.gliding.co.uk/find-club-by-postcode/
https://www.gliding.co.uk/find-club-by-postcode/
Joined: Apr 2012
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 401
Likes: 18
From: UK
To answer your questions:
1 - Many of the integrated schools offering UK CAA licences have some training overseas for largely weather-related reasons and they'll sort out visas etc. for training overseas. I wouldn't say choosing a school offering solely foreign licences is useful unless he has the right to live and work abroad.
2 - As has been mentioned, joining a gliding club is a good idea. Most of them have cadet schemes where in exchange for helping out he'll get free flying, the helping out is usually safety-critical stuff so it'll be useful experience and will look good on a CV.
3 - Possibly, though do they offer UK CAA training?
4 - Varies massively, in a strong economy people can walk straight out of flying schools into jobs, in a recession it can take years and indeed some never get that first flying job. Read some of the threads on here from 2008-2012-ish and you'll see what things are like when it's bleak.
5 - One of the golden rules of pilot training is to never pay large and/or disproportionate sums up front. Always go through the published financial accounts of the school(s) you choose for training before paying anything.
British Airways and Jet2 currently run fully-funded pilot training programmes, TUI and Aer Lingus (open to UK nationals through the CTA) and Bristow (helicopters) have done so recently. It may be worth applying to those first. Military flying is an option too.
A Class 1 medical certificate is essential before starting any commercial flying training, there are some who say it makes sense to obtain one before starting any flying training whatsoever if the aim is to fly as a career.
Read the reviews of/discussion about any particular school on here before making a decision, don't get swayed by the sales/social media pitches.
1 - Many of the integrated schools offering UK CAA licences have some training overseas for largely weather-related reasons and they'll sort out visas etc. for training overseas. I wouldn't say choosing a school offering solely foreign licences is useful unless he has the right to live and work abroad.
2 - As has been mentioned, joining a gliding club is a good idea. Most of them have cadet schemes where in exchange for helping out he'll get free flying, the helping out is usually safety-critical stuff so it'll be useful experience and will look good on a CV.
3 - Possibly, though do they offer UK CAA training?
4 - Varies massively, in a strong economy people can walk straight out of flying schools into jobs, in a recession it can take years and indeed some never get that first flying job. Read some of the threads on here from 2008-2012-ish and you'll see what things are like when it's bleak.
5 - One of the golden rules of pilot training is to never pay large and/or disproportionate sums up front. Always go through the published financial accounts of the school(s) you choose for training before paying anything.
British Airways and Jet2 currently run fully-funded pilot training programmes, TUI and Aer Lingus (open to UK nationals through the CTA) and Bristow (helicopters) have done so recently. It may be worth applying to those first. Military flying is an option too.
A Class 1 medical certificate is essential before starting any commercial flying training, there are some who say it makes sense to obtain one before starting any flying training whatsoever if the aim is to fly as a career.
Read the reviews of/discussion about any particular school on here before making a decision, don't get swayed by the sales/social media pitches.
