worth to become a pilot and isnt too late?
 

Hi to everyone, Im a big fun of this website, but is actually the first time that I post something.
Im going to ask you about something that you've heard thousends of times.
How much is it Worth to become an airline pilot in this period?
Im almost 24 years old, I hold a bachelor in mechanical engineering and I'm about to finish my master degree in aerospace engineering. I would like to start my pilot studies this summer. The fact is that when I talk with everyone (my professors, friends and people working in aerospace field) call me crazy because for their point of view is complitely worthless.

A professor of my university advised me to take the ppl because it would be very usefull for my career in the aerospace design career. I had the possibility to talk with many pilots and all of them told me that I would have better life as an engineer, but if money is not a problem I can trythe pilot way. Actually is a bit about money. I dont want to risk to pay 60.000 euro for a frozen ATPL and than being jobless for couple of years. I would like to hear some opinion from any of you, cause now after 5 years of wonderings is definetly time for me to decide what to do.
Thanks anyone.

Matty Airlines

Becoming a pilot was always expensive and always carried a risk of being unemployed for many years after you finished training. It was always like this and continues to be.

Your almost 24, I have only one thing to say, better late than never! If it is a pilot position you are after because it is you dream then I strongly believe that you should start immediately with your PPL, and a Class 1 medical just in case.

What will happen after you finish your training and have the frozen ATPL, I don't know but even if you go integrated or modular or even in a cadet scheme, there is always the risk of staying unemployed for many years, therefore everyone is on the same boat.

Once again if you want to become a pilot, start pursuing your dream now, do wise choices, (go modular), and keep current. Last thing, prepare to go anywhere if you want to get hired quickly.

I don't think it is fair to state that you should say "Go Modular" or "Go Integrated", the candidate must weight up the choices, risks and ultimate rewards associated with both at a given time, as this industry is always in a 'state of change'.

I do however suggest you obtain a Class 1 Medical to see if you fit enough to fly, prior to doing anything else.

Good luck!

Pilots told you that you would have a better life as an Engineer. How many of those pilots have actually worked as an Engineer. I have done both jobs and I want to be back flying.


What I would say is some of the worst jobs in the world are flying jobs, however some of the best jobs in the world are also flying jobs.

A high majority of engineering jobs are 9-5 (well 8-6 more likely) 75%-90% of the time stuck behind a desk.

Once you experience working full time in flying you can never be happy stuck behind a desk.

Tough to say but..
 

Well with your degree you could make decent living hopefully, but if the itch is there that is a mixed bag of emotion or rationality. There are numerious similar threads and answers here. But to your situation, I can only second the others "get your medical at Gatwick first":

You did not reveal how much flying exposoure you had thus fare.

We don't know how much funds you have available.

So - just assuming you'd have to borrow those 60 grand quid or €, well...

a) Budget 2000 pounds: Live on a glider port for a month or a few months while job hunting. That's the easiest and cheapest exposure you get (or if you live near one, commute). Few pounds, you have all the knowledge, apply it, learn how to fly at very little expenditure. Actually, the cheapest three axis a/c. Aerobatic, x/c, can all be done in a cheap wooden glider with passionate instructors. Then work up the ladder with TMG/ UL/ etc. Get the SPL in 6 weeks if possible (weather depending). There are sites that operate daily and are affordable.

b) If you have 10,000 $ available, learn all the theory required for an FAA PPL and IR (i.e., click through the free exam databases and the FAA handbooks), get an underemployed instructor stateside who has a CFI/ CFII, a tent and fly over there for 110 hours, 100 with him, 10 without, and do the PPL before you start your first job. Convert in a motorglider in the UK plus SEP (EASA PPL SEP & TMG as a goald), get your tow rating and gather hours and experience. Oh, and if you manage to log 50 hrs PIC x/c in the UK before you spend those 10 grand, do the PPL and IR if possible in one piece. 6 - 10 weeks in your life that will be the best flying ever. Stay current in towing and whatever else, work in your profession and do the fATPL written parallely. ONLY spend those 80% of flying costs for the fATPL over here in Europe once you have that first 2 years of professional experience and the theory out of the way and last, certainly not least, make up your mind about the hiring prospects and how much you enjoyed desk driving for 2 years. (I've worked in recruitment - those first years are vital...).

c) Unless you have those 60,000 $, go to aviator.edu and come back home 18 - 24 months later (counting from today) with an FAA ATP and 1500 hrs, many of those not in your UK glider but in ME a/c in Florida. And while you don't fly over there, and with your background, get ready for the fATPL over there. Should be manageable with your background, as opposed to us normal mortals :-). THEN make the decision of whether you drive a desk or fork out middle to high five digit figures to drive an A319 etc.

Summary: Read all the forum recommendations, you can find the biggest bang for the buck on this forum. You already hit the books intensively so the intellectual stuff for you should be quick and doable.

(Did not want to rant too long, so: 24 is young. You have the background. The ATPL knowledge is freshest in your mind right now plus the few things you did not cover in your degrees. For ground school you need a PPL. But: You can spend money only once. Chose wisely). Good luck and all the best!