Any pilots in the house?
Discussion
My son (now 17) is keen on looking at a career in aviation, namely being a pilot. Google has thrown up some useful advice, but its mostly made up of various flight schools flogging their wares. He's keen on going down the commercial route rather than RAF and we are aware of the huge costs involved. I suppose it's these large fees that are making us very cautious as to where we focus our attention - so any real world advice would be very much appreciated.
LimaDelta said:
I'm sure there will be better qualified contributors, but I'd echo the comments above. Medical first (class 1), be wary of paying large amounts upfront, and finally - is this just something he fancies, or does he have any flying experience yet?
No real world experience per se, just a couple of professional simulators (737) and a full MS Flight Simulator set up at home (curved monitor / Boeing controls etc) he was / is phenominal on both, and was since he was 14. The MS set up is unreal.I've flown several planes, including an RAF Chipmunk in my cadet days
phil-sti said:
Intresting topic as my 12 yr old is set on becoming a pilot. he si great academically, ive been pushing mats and physics to him. He is joining air cadets and once he is 16 im going to pay for his class 1 medical and setting him with monthly flight lessons just so that he has hours in the air. I'm hoping he will go the RAF route so going university and studying an aerospace course of some sort and going the uni UTOC. Is there anything else you think will help?
Mine is doing Maths and Physics A Level - get him on MS Flight along with an Airbus / Thrustmaster setup, its phenominal (and addictive for us dads).You can set it to live weather and he can experience any airport in the world - the graphics and sound are mesmerising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xp-SnZDoY
I also got him this for his X Box series X
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-TCA-Captain-...
rallye101 said:
He needs to have passion for it....its quite easy to do if you have the funds (and a bit of spatial awareness)
Cost me £80k back in the day then 2008 came along and bit me on the bum, the guys in my ATPL class that are still doing it now is down to their ambition, its not just a job at the end of the day....
What do you mean "bit you on the bum" fella?Cost me £80k back in the day then 2008 came along and bit me on the bum, the guys in my ATPL class that are still doing it now is down to their ambition, its not just a job at the end of the day....
Would love to DM anyone who’s recently been through Speedbird. Is it the same as the BA Future Pilots Programme - or do they differ?
My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA which helps.
He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA
which helps.He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
u-boat said:
Swings and roundabouts I think.
To open up aviation to more people the airline sponsorship schemes and mpl schemes have much lower barriers to entry. So all kinds of people apply that wouldn’t have thought about becoming pilots before.
As they’re not as emotionally invested as people who grew up wanting to be pilots many actually vanish from the later stages. Not get chopped but simply don’t turn up.
The flip side is that if you’re a white bloke from a semi wealthy family (like many pilots were traditionally) , then you’ve likely got a bit less chance now when the airlines are keen to be more diverse. This is because you’re simply not in a group that represents diversity.
This is causing some airlines issues now, like it has in many business or universities etc seeking to advance certain groups of people based on diversity or being from less privileged backgrounds etc simply because many cadets etc don’t really know how to behave or struggle more with the exams and training etc.
It’s not the new cadet or employee or students ‘fault’ though. It’s the companies ‘fault’ if they’re having these issues as they’re either recruiting the wrong people (in cases) or have in adequate training and support or education to back up the recruitment policies they’re trying to bring in.
Diversity aside, on the basis of intelligence alone, I doubt many people that weren’t that schooled would make it through the automated tests tbh. Whoever makes it through those tests - included the PA - have every right to have a crack of the whip.To open up aviation to more people the airline sponsorship schemes and mpl schemes have much lower barriers to entry. So all kinds of people apply that wouldn’t have thought about becoming pilots before.
As they’re not as emotionally invested as people who grew up wanting to be pilots many actually vanish from the later stages. Not get chopped but simply don’t turn up.
The flip side is that if you’re a white bloke from a semi wealthy family (like many pilots were traditionally) , then you’ve likely got a bit less chance now when the airlines are keen to be more diverse. This is because you’re simply not in a group that represents diversity.
This is causing some airlines issues now, like it has in many business or universities etc seeking to advance certain groups of people based on diversity or being from less privileged backgrounds etc simply because many cadets etc don’t really know how to behave or struggle more with the exams and training etc.
It’s not the new cadet or employee or students ‘fault’ though. It’s the companies ‘fault’ if they’re having these issues as they’re either recruiting the wrong people (in cases) or have in adequate training and support or education to back up the recruitment policies they’re trying to bring in.
Edited by u-boat on Saturday 27th April 15:49
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