I've always wanted to be a pilot (Merged)
 

Greetings!
I've always wanted to be a Pilot, so I decided to sign me up on this forums to ask experienced pilots. So, I'm a high school sophomore and I always get good grades, I'm pretty good with math (algebra and trigonometry) and I'm starting to learn physics, and I don't have any problems with English.

1. What should I do BEFORE doing a Pilot Training Programme?
2. How much will it cost?
3. Should I study more on math and physics?

If there's anything else that I should know about, please write it down on this thread.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Steps on How to Become A Commercial Pilot
 

First things first, go take a trial lesson! Half an hour in a Cessna or similar to get a feel of a machine moving in three dimensions.

Bear in mind, once you graduated from Flying school, it'd really really really (225x) hard to get a job...
U might end up jobless for many years..

Start with some homework.

SYWTBAP - GAPAN

Steps on How to Become A Commercial Pilot
 

Just to rock the boat...fully type-rated and employed 7 months after gaining my fATPL, bonded to the airline for 5 years...I'll admit, I was very lucky, and they must have seen something they really liked!

On the other hand, a friend of mine spent 4 years as an instructor in Florida before getting in with Cathay Pacific. Just saying...

1980s. and early 1990s was so much different than today..Early 1990s I got scholarship fresh after finished my high school. Easy way to get job, bonded 10 years..didnt have to pay a single dime.

2013..lots of my friend's kids couldnt get interviewed...Same answer: we only need experienced, with hours on typed. Unless u are citizen of that said airline. (Now it even doesnt work for many countries, due to over supply)
Now all around the world, flooded with new kids , +200hrs, just finish their CPL-ME-IR...

By the way, I'm Asian..
European keep coming to this area to get their first gig...Wouldnt work..
The place I worked, didn't extend expats working permit now. So, good luck with non experienced, non type rated, non citizen...

Anyway, I would say, a job is when you are paid a decent money ...not the one that get free lunch/dinner after towing a glider or banner.

Dont' listen to me..I'm just an old chap...

Advice for an aspiring pilot?
 

Hi new to pprune, just looking for some opinions :)

I'm 17, currently doing my first year of A-levels. Studying: geography, psychology, maths & physics. Achieved 14.5 A*-C in GCSE, including an A in maths, physics, chemistry, english, and an A* in biology.

For me, piloting was an undiscovered passion because i was never exposed to it at a young age. All my relatives are in the area of banking and finance. Then it came to year 9 and everyone was choosing career options, the typical lawyers, accountants & doctors. Then a career adviser mentioned piloting to me, and i never really thought about that as a career. So i went to a pilot exhibition, found out so much that i didn't previously know. And since then i have been completely captivated not just by aircraft, but by the whole industry of aviation and am really determined on becoming a pilot.

I'm a bit unsure of what to do after i have finished a-levels. I've looked at British Airways FPP, it is amazing and definitely considering on applying for it. But i'm aware of how tough the selection process is, and if i wasn't to be successful is basically my dilemma. I just need a plan B and i don't know what area to go into; whether doing an apprenticeship, or possibly paying for flight school :confused:, or doing some sort of aeronautical engineering course at university, although i don't really want to go into higher education.

Opinions and guidance please :ugh:

(1) Use the search function, read the dozens of relevant threads on PPrune [and other bulletin boards, but PPrune is the biggest.]

(2) Use Google, in particular look at helpful advice on websites of GAPAN, RAeS, BWPA.

(3) Treat all company material with healthy skepticism

(4) Don't try and do a degree unless you are really interested in the degree subject.

(5) See (1).

Advice for an aspiring pilot?
 

Start taking lessons, you need to know it suits you and you can do it. Then when the applications say something like a little flight experience preferable you have an answer. Also check the CAA guidelines on medical requirements etc, not to be negative but there are one or two areas at least which can rule people out of holding a class 1 medical.

thank you Genghis the Engineer, i've read through some similar threads and also taken note of them websites. And yeah i totally understand, studying something you have no interest in is practically pointless. i'll be sure to look at the variety of different courses available

thank you Captain Snape, i get where you're coming from. i know many fork out crazy amounts of money for the integrated courses, and then don't feel at all comfortable flying or even being in the cockpit. i do have a flying lesson booked for next month. And yep, aware of those too and have researched what is required to obtain one although my eyesight might be a bit of a worry :8

If you have the means to afford the training costs, or can get parents help and can afford to wait for a job at the end of it, then go for it. If you have to scrimp, save, live on the poverty line just to afford training/or keep your licences valid then stay well clear. It is a profession where you have to keep throwing money at it to get a job, you can not do it on the cheap if you want to fly a jet in this day in age, unless your one of the very lucky ones to get in BA but I'd treat that as a distant possibility rather than a option.

If i could turn back the time i would have done my training different,
this is my opinion and i don't want to start a modular vs integrated kind of post.

If you have the money and want to do in integrated i have no other tips than start searching for a good FTO with a good integrated course. :ok:

If you have to make 85 K € debt to do so i would'nt recommend this.

If you go modular, then maybe i have some good advice.

Just start with a ppl course, you can do this in a club, but maybe an FTO is better for a becoming commercial pilot.
After ppl continue hour building towards the cpl requirements in combination with te ATPL theory, this can be done in a day and evening course and distance learning. Focus on the theory and fly a couple of hours to keep up the skills.

After the theory hour building continues, try to combine this with a job to bring in the money you will hardly need.

Then you can go 2 different ways, first the IR or first CPL this is up to you.
There are advantages and disadvantages in wich order you do is, search to forum for this ;)

In my opinion, try to have a good balance of money spending and money earning, the timebuilding and IR are the expensivest, as other members already said, don't expect a pilot job a week after you are done with the training, nevertheless you never know ! I have a friend who had his first pilot job after a month but also friends who are waiting after 3 years and still nothing.
Always think possitive but also be realistic ;)

That said , i would'nt recommend going deeper than 30 k € in debt. BUT this is my opinion

I wish you many luck in your training :ok:

Also this, having a " plan B " is a good thing, so it is a good idea to first do some college degree, so you have something to fall back on.

I also want to mention that before you take any flight lesson ppl training do your class 1 medical instead of a class 2, i don't have to explain the dissapointment when you are half way and not medical ok for the cpl !

to answer directly on your questions:

1. Do what you love and want to do for a job if you could'nt become a pilot


2. Depends on type of course and what FTO, general this will be starting around 50 k € up to +100 k €

3. For the ATPL you need to know fysics and some math, so it's a good thing to brush this up , but this is not rocket science, the theory is more or less like college level, BUT it is a lot in a very short period !