What to do from school?
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What to do from school?
Hi, I am currently 17 years of age and in the middle of my AS examinations. I already have one a-level completed in Russian language. I have discovered a true passion for flying in my local aerodrome and am underway of achieving my PPL license. I am studying Physics, Design, French and Art at college but am losing interest to continue with these studies and each day I go to school I am wishing that I could begin the process of applying to flight school and beyond. I have read through the threads on this site and found a lot of people discouraging others from dropping out of A levels. Also last year I completed my GCSE's and achieved 8 A* AND 3 A's. I am seriously lucky enough to have my parents behind me willing to pay for my education in flight school. I would be willing to join one this October as I am turning 18 in September. Is this not enough to be accepted by an airline after achieving all of the licences in flight school? (Bearing in mind I will still complete the AS levels.) I would really appreciate any feedback on this and it would be incredibly helpful to my future.
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Finish school!! you have years and years to worry about flying, and to answer your question, my airline have a minimum requirement of a couple of a levels but most new joiners have degrees and some life experience. Average joining age is mid twenties.
You have time!
You have time!
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I'll second that. Flying is a great job, but it has a limited number of transferable skills to anything outside of the industry - heck, to even a few within the industry - should you ever want a break from flying or you are no longer able to hold a medical.
Get a diploma or degree on something you can fall back on; a trade certification is best - then you can earn a little more coin on the side and live a decent life instead of with mom and dad for the first couple years.
Too many young pilots focus on flying airplanes. Quite frankly, it gets boring after a while if you don't have something else to occupy your mind with.
Good luck!
Get a diploma or degree on something you can fall back on; a trade certification is best - then you can earn a little more coin on the side and live a decent life instead of with mom and dad for the first couple years.
Too many young pilots focus on flying airplanes. Quite frankly, it gets boring after a while if you don't have something else to occupy your mind with.
Good luck!
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Finish school, preferably in a discipline NOT tied to flying or airlines. Remember that if the airlines aren't hiring pilots, they probably aren't hiring anyone else, either.
With your proficiency in languages, you might find a degree in international commerce helpful...
Learn to fly alongside the academics, not instead of them.
With your proficiency in languages, you might find a degree in international commerce helpful...
Learn to fly alongside the academics, not instead of them.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Peter, you would have the absolute minimum that is legally required once you'd finished your flight training. Will that get you a job in the current environment? No.
If you want to fly an airliner from the get go, you pretty much have to be on a tagged airline scheme. A levels are not generally not enough to get a spot on those. Most candidates have a degree. It is not enough to do an integrated course, you need to be on a tagged one.
If you want a different career, you'll definitely need more than A levels.
Have a look at T&E and the Wannabe forums.
Good luck, to survive in this industry, you'll need tenacity and luck.
If you want to fly an airliner from the get go, you pretty much have to be on a tagged airline scheme. A levels are not generally not enough to get a spot on those. Most candidates have a degree. It is not enough to do an integrated course, you need to be on a tagged one.
If you want a different career, you'll definitely need more than A levels.
Have a look at T&E and the Wannabe forums.
Good luck, to survive in this industry, you'll need tenacity and luck.
