Hi, I'm new and curious!
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Hi, I'm new and curious!
Hey guys, I'm new here and I was wondering if I could get some advice from you lot preferably by commercial pilots because that is what I want to do, become a pilot. Next year I will be off to college and I want to know what qualifications I need in order to apply to the desired airliner that I choose, so I can request to them to sponser me. I know that I need A level maths and physics, what else? I don't know.....? And also what grades do these need to be? I have been told that they look for A*'s. Please let me know guys, I appreciate it. Rob.
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I have a commercial pilots licence and an instructor rating,when you asked for advise from commercial pilots i presume you mean pilots with airlines. I dont work for one yet, but hopefully one day.As far as what you need to do is concerned,most airlines seem to like graduates with an engineer background from what i have gathered for example i was always told that aer lingus had a strong liking for people with degress in aeronautical engineering (for obvious reason)i personnally think a degree is very important thing to have before you attempt flight training.The reason being if all you have is a flying licence and you cant get work with an airline and have to spend your early career years as an instructor, you end up having to do some pretty crap jobs to make ends meet as i unfortunately have had to learn the hard way.
In relation to airline cadetships the better your grades the more your c.v. stands out from the rest of the competition.If you go the self sponsored route you basically need to be able to raise about £30000 if not more to pay for your training,the states probably being the cheapest and quickest location.
If there is one bit of advice i could offer you it would be get some kind of degree or similar qualification before attempting flight training,you really will be glad you have one if you are unfortunate to experience a slump in the aviation industry,it will save you the unfortunate experience of doing some pretty awful jobs in the winter when instructional work is slack.
If i can be of any more help just give me a shout
In relation to airline cadetships the better your grades the more your c.v. stands out from the rest of the competition.If you go the self sponsored route you basically need to be able to raise about £30000 if not more to pay for your training,the states probably being the cheapest and quickest location.
If there is one bit of advice i could offer you it would be get some kind of degree or similar qualification before attempting flight training,you really will be glad you have one if you are unfortunate to experience a slump in the aviation industry,it will save you the unfortunate experience of doing some pretty awful jobs in the winter when instructional work is slack.
If i can be of any more help just give me a shout
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Hi chapers,
if you have a general browse of this forum you'll find all the information you'll ever need - sometimes helpful - and sometimes not
What with the industry at its current state not many airlines are sponsoring but the schemes are on the come back. By the time you finish Uni, you might find the scene alot rosier (hopefully)
With the competition so tough, airlines are allowed to pick and choose using all sorts of selection criteria.
Thus those whom are sponsoring are looking for good A-Levels (usually C and above in 2 subjects, pref Maths & Phy), and in some cases a half-decent degree as well. This forum can argue until everyone's blue to the face about the relevance of good academic qualifications when it comes to flying, but fact remains thats one of their selective variables - esp when there are thousands of other applicants.
I would do a degree if not to get one, but also for experiance/fun.
If you can one day afford self-fund route and pass well, then a Degree wont have that much effect on selection, but you never know with fussy airlines.
Have a look at the current sponsorship schems offered by Easyjet etc.
Happy Flying - Welcome to this crazy world
Just a quick P.S
I'm assuming you have had a trial lesson and a couple of hours under your belt. If not then DO! - See if you enjoy handling the aircraft and flying.
Oh and if a trial lesson is all you've done, dont be fooled at how easy and fun it is. (the trial is supposed to be extra fun and entice you to part with more money. (Oh no I'm going to get blasted by alot of flight instructors now arent I?
)
What I meant was that normal lessons are hard work but ultimately more satifying then ur jolly jaunt spotting ur house on the trial.
And have you considered what life as an airline pilot is really like? Although not a commercial pilot myself I am imagine it is hard work as the guys on this forum will testify but the rewards can be high also.
Anyway I'll stop rambling now and escape b4 any instructors hunt me down. Ciao, drop me a note if you like to chat or more qu.
if you have a general browse of this forum you'll find all the information you'll ever need - sometimes helpful - and sometimes not
What with the industry at its current state not many airlines are sponsoring but the schemes are on the come back. By the time you finish Uni, you might find the scene alot rosier (hopefully)
With the competition so tough, airlines are allowed to pick and choose using all sorts of selection criteria.
Thus those whom are sponsoring are looking for good A-Levels (usually C and above in 2 subjects, pref Maths & Phy), and in some cases a half-decent degree as well. This forum can argue until everyone's blue to the face about the relevance of good academic qualifications when it comes to flying, but fact remains thats one of their selective variables - esp when there are thousands of other applicants.
I would do a degree if not to get one, but also for experiance/fun.
If you can one day afford self-fund route and pass well, then a Degree wont have that much effect on selection, but you never know with fussy airlines.
Have a look at the current sponsorship schems offered by Easyjet etc.
Happy Flying - Welcome to this crazy world
Just a quick P.S
I'm assuming you have had a trial lesson and a couple of hours under your belt. If not then DO! - See if you enjoy handling the aircraft and flying.
Oh and if a trial lesson is all you've done, dont be fooled at how easy and fun it is. (the trial is supposed to be extra fun and entice you to part with more money. (Oh no I'm going to get blasted by alot of flight instructors now arent I?
)What I meant was that normal lessons are hard work but ultimately more satifying then ur jolly jaunt spotting ur house on the trial.
And have you considered what life as an airline pilot is really like? Although not a commercial pilot myself I am imagine it is hard work as the guys on this forum will testify but the rewards can be high also.
Anyway I'll stop rambling now and escape b4 any instructors hunt me down. Ciao, drop me a note if you like to chat or more qu.
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Hello Chapers and welcome.
All good advice from the guys here. If you are looking for sponsorship, then maths and physics A Levels will stand out, plus they will put you in good stead for what lies ahead in terms of groundschool. I think the general concensus is that a degree is a good thing to have and will allow you to have something up your sleeve if things don't go to plan.
I am sure you have thought about this, but I would be tempted to say have Plan A and Plan B. Plan A being airlines, snap me up and let me get my hands on those big shiney jets, and plan B being, lets empty my piggy bank to pay for my own training. Don't get me wrong and I don't mean to be negative, but sponsorship is very competitive and there only tend to be very few places in comparison for the amount of people trying to get in.
In terms of actual graduate course subjects to study (if you choose a degree of course), I guess it really depends what you are interested in. From a personal point of view, and I think it would be a good move to study something that will show you are motivated towards becoming a pilot. If you are sitting there be quizzed in an interview as to why you did a degree in knitting as opposed to why you did Aerospace Engineering the latter is obvious. I did a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and one thing that I am finding now with the ATPL syllabus, is with alot of the tech stuff I have seen before and it eases the pain a little.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on, good luck with college.
All good advice from the guys here. If you are looking for sponsorship, then maths and physics A Levels will stand out, plus they will put you in good stead for what lies ahead in terms of groundschool. I think the general concensus is that a degree is a good thing to have and will allow you to have something up your sleeve if things don't go to plan.
I am sure you have thought about this, but I would be tempted to say have Plan A and Plan B. Plan A being airlines, snap me up and let me get my hands on those big shiney jets, and plan B being, lets empty my piggy bank to pay for my own training. Don't get me wrong and I don't mean to be negative, but sponsorship is very competitive and there only tend to be very few places in comparison for the amount of people trying to get in.
In terms of actual graduate course subjects to study (if you choose a degree of course), I guess it really depends what you are interested in. From a personal point of view, and I think it would be a good move to study something that will show you are motivated towards becoming a pilot. If you are sitting there be quizzed in an interview as to why you did a degree in knitting as opposed to why you did Aerospace Engineering the latter is obvious. I did a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and one thing that I am finding now with the ATPL syllabus, is with alot of the tech stuff I have seen before and it eases the pain a little.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on, good luck with college.
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Just thought I would add something from someone doing an Aero Engineering degree with hope to fly for a living.
Don't just jump at Aeronautical Engineering because it has a relation to Flying.
To put it simply its Maths. I love it but, not what I expected.
Some people's view is its better to do an easier degree, enjoy yourself, get drunk and if your In the University Air Squadron, Fly lots more.
Just from my experience so far.
Good luck
Don't just jump at Aeronautical Engineering because it has a relation to Flying.
To put it simply its Maths. I love it but, not what I expected.
Some people's view is its better to do an easier degree, enjoy yourself, get drunk and if your In the University Air Squadron, Fly lots more.
Just from my experience so far.
Good luck
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I would agree, I don't think you should jump at any degree, its all about making the right decision for you.
jonathang I seem to recall from my college days, some 5 years ago, that Aeronautical Eng and Aerospace Eng, are slightly different in their mathematical content. I studied Aerospace Eng, and even though it did have mathematical content, it was slighty more practical than simple number crunching.
Even though I never experienced it myself, a number of my friends whilst at university used to fly with the University Air Squadron, and thoroughly enjoyed it, most likely a good move.
jonathang I seem to recall from my college days, some 5 years ago, that Aeronautical Eng and Aerospace Eng, are slightly different in their mathematical content. I studied Aerospace Eng, and even though it did have mathematical content, it was slighty more practical than simple number crunching.
Even though I never experienced it myself, a number of my friends whilst at university used to fly with the University Air Squadron, and thoroughly enjoyed it, most likely a good move.
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
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Sick Squid posted on a thread like this one some time ago. He did a degree in music (sorry can't be more specific as to what area of music) and he got into BA as a CEP (Cadet Entry Pilot).
So if you're out there Squidders I'm sure you can reiterate the wise words already posted above as to how doing the subject you enjoy can be a definate bonus.
VFE.
PS: Made me feel better when I heard you could get into the piloting game with a background of playing with organs. Oh-err! A joke about organs! New.
So if you're out there Squidders I'm sure you can reiterate the wise words already posted above as to how doing the subject you enjoy can be a definate bonus.
VFE.
PS: Made me feel better when I heard you could get into the piloting game with a background of playing with organs. Oh-err! A joke about organs! New.
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Right, let's get this straight. You do not need maths and physics at A-level to be a pilot. You most certainly do not need to do any kind of degree, let alone Aeronautical Engineering. What you do usually need for sponsorship schemes is maths, english and a science among a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above. If A-levels are required, and they often are, it's unusual to find the subjects specified.
The most important thing is that you study the subject(s) that interest you most. A good pass at something you enjoy is a lot more valuable than a scraped pass (or worse) at something you don't. A lot of people drop out of university because they were doing a course they thought they ought to rather than one they wanted to.
The most important thing is that you study the subject(s) that interest you most. A good pass at something you enjoy is a lot more valuable than a scraped pass (or worse) at something you don't. A lot of people drop out of university because they were doing a course they thought they ought to rather than one they wanted to.
PPRuNe Engineering Dept Apprentice
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jonathang, just as a matter of interest, what year are you in AeroEng and where are you doing it? (I just happen to be filling out my UCAS form over the next week, have my Personal statement drawn up n' everything. Have my six courses down too. all the one type {as recommended})
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ight, let's get this straight. You do not need maths and physics at A-level to be a pilot. You most certainly do not need to do any kind of degree, let alone Aeronautical Engineering. What you do usually need for sponsorship schemes is maths, english and a science among a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above. If A-levels are required, and they often are, it's unusual to find the subjects specified.
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Firstly welcome to the wibbly wobbly world of aviation - where rational thinking, common sense and forward planning are figments of your imagination.
Secondly, I agree with the replies above - you don't need maths and physics coming out of your ears to succeed, the standard is GCSE level stuff and even then not in depth (I dont have any physics qually for example!). I would however recommend doing a degree, if only for getting out of home and cutting the apron strings. Plus if the uni has an Air Squadron - get yerself on it!! I regret not having done so. Uni will also get you in the right groove for all of the commercial ground school stuff you'll have to do - some of it isn't hard but there's shed loads of it and it can be difficult getting back into the swotting if you've had a long time away from it. Leeds uni have just started a pilot studies degree course but like Scroggs says, do one you'll enjoy and get a good grade, you'll need a plan B if the flying goes pear shaped.
Lastly, it's up to you which training you do whether under your own steam (like the majority of us have done I think, I willingly stand corrected if I'm wrong) or on a sponsored course, but they are few and far between and be ready for severe competition. There's conflicting advice for both cases (have a shufty at some past threads) as there is on how to get your first job. I'm still picking my way through the minefield now 2 years down the line but when you finish training things will hopefully be better so long as Dubya doesn't spit his dummy!
Good luck
Secondly, I agree with the replies above - you don't need maths and physics coming out of your ears to succeed, the standard is GCSE level stuff and even then not in depth (I dont have any physics qually for example!). I would however recommend doing a degree, if only for getting out of home and cutting the apron strings. Plus if the uni has an Air Squadron - get yerself on it!! I regret not having done so. Uni will also get you in the right groove for all of the commercial ground school stuff you'll have to do - some of it isn't hard but there's shed loads of it and it can be difficult getting back into the swotting if you've had a long time away from it. Leeds uni have just started a pilot studies degree course but like Scroggs says, do one you'll enjoy and get a good grade, you'll need a plan B if the flying goes pear shaped.
Lastly, it's up to you which training you do whether under your own steam (like the majority of us have done I think, I willingly stand corrected if I'm wrong) or on a sponsored course, but they are few and far between and be ready for severe competition. There's conflicting advice for both cases (have a shufty at some past threads) as there is on how to get your first job. I'm still picking my way through the minefield now 2 years down the line but when you finish training things will hopefully be better so long as Dubya doesn't spit his dummy!
Good luck
