Are A levels a definate requirement?
 

Hello fellow Ppruners!

I am currently 16 and will be 17 on the 27th November. I will shortly receive the results for my GSCE examinations. Flying commercially is something i definately want do without a doubt, i have had a trial lesson and this confirmed my wish to fulfil my dream.

I am thinking about going onto an integrated flight training scheme whereby they only require you to be 17 years of age and have had 5 GCSE passes (C or above) preferably in maths and physics. Without tempting fate too much i think i can safely say i will have fulfilled these requirements by November 27th 2005.

If i were to be succesful in obtaning a class one medical and passing their selection do you think it would be wise to go onto the course without having done any a levels? How important is having done a levels? Are they a requirement for employment with airlines and also do they help you with the atpl theory work?

I know many of you will talk about the issues of maturity but i feel i am a mature person for my age and will continue to develop this if i were to participate in the course.

The reason why i am keen to skip a levels is because i want to start flying commercially as soon as possible and am not sure if a levels would be an unnecessary waste of 2 years.

Your views will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Arpan

I think that A-levels certainly wouldn't harm your ability to take in the ATPL ground school though...

Although A levels may not be necessary, bear in mind that if anything should happen which prevents you from flying commercially, or your'e not able to find a job as a pilot, A levels would almost certainly be advantageous if you want to choose a different career.

2 years of A levels would make you more employable in any future career, allow you to persue a university education if for some reason you don't end up flying (be it financial/medical or another reason) and you could always use those 2 years to gain a PPL before going onto a commercial course.

Although you're dead set on avaiation at the moment situations can change and not taking any A levels would leave you in a worse position.

Just something to think about. Also, in 2 years time you'd be older, wiser and probably more responsible about the course and the financial commitment you're about to make.

Not sure that A-Levels are particularly sought after by the majority of airlines once you are qualified however some of the larger airlines may be put off if you lack A-Levels and experience. At the end of the day anything that gives you an advantage over others is a bonus and A-Levels certainly wouldn't go amiss on your flying CV.

As for the ATPL theory I'm not so sure that A-Levels would be much benefit really. The standard of learning required to pass is GCSE A-C level. I only have GCSE's and although it was difficult at first to grasp some of the ATPL calculations I didn't really have too many problems. The main concern in ATPL theory is remembering the bulk of information.


If the aviation career didn't work out for whatever reason (medical or otherwise) I'm not too sure that A-Levels alone are going to put you much further ahead unless you have a degree under your belt. Therefore, if you're going to study for another two years you would probably be wise to extend to university afterwards. Bet you like the idea of that eh? ;)

VFE.

A-levels are not required of qualified pilots by airlines, but sometimes they are required of candidates for self-sponsored airline training schemes. If you are contemplating this route (CTC and similar), you should check the websites of the airlines and training providers concerned - though, on re-reading your post, I see you may have already done that.

In any case, recruitment is a competitive process, and, where experience is lacking, acadmic qualifications are one of the few tools at your disposal to distinguish yourself from your competitors. That said, there is absolutely no need to have A-levels at all; you certainly won't need them in preparation for ATPL exams! If you do decide to take A-levels, don't worry overmuch about the subjects. There is no need to take Maths and Physics (or any other science) simply because you are interested in aviation. Instead, take subjects that interest you and in which you are likely to give your best effort - and if that's Maths and Physics, great. If it's Media Studies and Philosophy, that's also great - as long as the results are good.

Scroggs

Thank you for all your comments thus far. Anyone have any more opinions/views?

I’d do the A levels if I were you.

As Scroggs said, you need something to make your CV stand out - if you’ve got no work experience to talk about, it will have to be qualifications. The more the merrier!

I’d also recommend doing them as a ‘plan B’ in case you ever lose your medical. It happens more than you might think, and it would be nice to have some bits of paper to fall back on in case you have to apply for ‘normal’ jobs.

(I found A level physics quite useful for the ATPLs by the way).

I am about to start my second year of A levels and am awaiting results of my 1st year (probably D's and C's, nothing special). I will certainly start my A2's but if the opportunity arises ie. I get a place on Air Atlantique, or my parents hand over the family fortune I will leave college to start flying. I have a PPL already, so it might be a wise idea for you to do that (if possible) at the same time as doing your AS's. It’s hard work combining the 2 but certainly worth it if you’re dead set on flying.

h

If as reported the pass rate for A level examination entrants is in the order of 97% why wouldn't most employers expect a candidate to have such a qualification as a matter of course ?

It has not always been the case in the past, but I would expect to see it become more of a minimum educational requirement for employment in the future.

In a market that is awash with low hour licence holders, you would be selling yourself against others with such minimum qualifications.....wouldn't you ?? ;)

Employers really aren't interested in what school qualifications you have when they recieve your flying CV. The first thing they look is your hours. If these are not high enough for their 'requirements' your CV is filed in the B1N ASAP and if you're lucky a PFO mailed out. You are wasting their time listing all your GCSE, A-Level, BTEC's etc on your flying CV so in view of this you are not at a disadvantage at the application stage at all because I for one do not list acedemic quals on my flying CV.

If you speak to the recruiters they will tell you this.

VFE

Yes VFE but your flying experience is only the "first thing" they look at. If your experience meets their requirements it is not the only thing they look at. I can guarantee that.

If a CV has no educational qualifications listed, I would would assume the applicant has either omitted them which would seem strange, or has none. The CV would then be dealt with on that basis. There are normally a lot of them to read.

"Recruiters" will tell you what they want to tell you, in much the same way that applicants will hear what they want to hear.

Fair point Bealzebub and you are clearly better placed to know owing to your position so thanks for your thoughts. One of my concerns when first compiling my flying CV was the danger of putting too much in and it being dismissed on the basis of it being too lengthy to bother with.

One of those 'How To Become A Pilot....' manuals I purchased about four years ago boldly stated that the key to your CV was to remember the golden rule: Keep it on one page! They also laid out a plan for the presentation and acedemic quals didn't feature - seeing as I still do not have that elusive first job perhaps they were talking out their pipe....

Do you agree with the one page idea (including acedemic quals) or is the one page idea a daft one?

Thanks again,

VFE.

Pilots and qualifications
 

Is anybody or does anybody know of any airline pilots who are NOT educationally qualified A-level and above?

Is it possible to become an atp if not academically qualified as such,or is it possible but unlikely employment prospects?

Cheers

If you include ATPL(H), then yes, me.

I've met all sorts of pilots without post-16 academic qualifications. Without a doubt however they were all quite bright enough that they *could* have done so.

G

I think your biggest problem might arise with selection to any of the integrated courses at the approved schools. Although they are happy to take your money so you can get around this.

The selections tend to have apptitude tests which as pointed out will prove that you have the capacity to learn and that you're more intelligent than any piece of paper might suggest.

ATPL studies I think require a certain ability to learn, particularly maths and Physics although a base knowledge wouldn't be required as most of the physics is explained with an orientation to what you need to know to be a pilot. It's all close to GCSE level (as they were when I took them in the early 90's)

I'm your man. I've got a few CSE's and a piss-poor OND in Business Studies to my name. However, I did find that when you are self-sponsoring, your cash speaks louder than your educational qualifications.

4 O levels and ATPL A and H. Qualifications make selection easier but not impossible.

Most airlines are more interested in your results in the theory exams and a 1st time IR pass also helps I'm told...

If it’s any use, I have zero academic qualifications and have 5 exams remaining on the ATPL’s. So far my average is mid 90’s, so even a thicko like me can do it
:O

Qualifications
 

My names Tom, im inr at 6th form, i already have my ppl and am definatly going to apply to a flight school such as CTC or Oxford after i finish my A leves! The problem i have is that me and maths dont get on that well, im really good at physics but i suck at maths! it just doesnt make sense to me and i cant see the relavance of pretty much every topic i cover, in relation to what i want to do with my career. it says its prefered that you have maths at Alevel as a qualification but iv met countless pilots who havent ever done math beyond GCSE! so my question is to all profesional pilot out there do i really need Alevel maths? because i dont get one with it and can barely do it and from what iv seen of the maths involved in flying for a living i could aready do that with what i know! so i dont really want to waste any more of time doing maths if i dont have to!
any and all help and advice will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Tom