Over the past few months (and years) at SimV, numorous people have ask the question "How do I become and airline/military pilot". Being away from work for a while, and as one of the few "professional" pilots on the forum, I thought maybe it may be a time to put together a thread that gave useful links to this information, and current opportunities that exist, and could be left as a sticky and updated as required, particulary as and when things such as airline sponsorship opportunities change.
I'll start with an apology; it will initially concentrate on UK based, and then European based opportunities. I'm no expert on the US education system and the way most of their airlines recruit.
To be a
professional pilot there are some pre-requisites. Most schools will require evidence that you will be able to cope with the academic requirements to pass groundschool exams and learn and retain a lot of information. Hence (in the UK), 5 GCSEs A-C (or equvalent) are normally a requirement. Airlines may naturally require, or give preference, to those with A Levels or higher too - hence A Levels are normally a requirement of a sponsored scheme.
You must also be able to pass a
JAR Class 1 (Professional Pilot) Medical Examination. Although one of these is quite expensive (about £300), it will save you a lot of money in the long term if you do not pass it, as you will not outlay a lot of money on training for a license you can't hold, and you'll need it anyway if you decide to become a professional pilot.
He are the first set of links.
General:
1.
British Air Line Pilots Association - How to become a pilot With a link to and excellent
How to become a pilot PDF booklet (19 pages) covering civil and military optionsCivilian (Airline)
2.
LearnDirect Careers Advice - Airline Pilot3.
Tayside Aviation - How to become a pilotAirline/Sponsored Schemes and Large Flying Training Centres:
British Airways used to run a successfull cadet pilot scheme, however I believe the last entry to this was in 2001. Most of their pilots are now direct entry from the military, other airlines or self sponsored.
However, other airlines, certainly on the UK have latched on to a scheme by CTC. Most of the training is completed in New Zealand, and due to the airline links, most go straight into a job.
1.
CTC Aviation "Wings"The following 3 links are probably the "biggest" (most popular) training centres in Europe:
2.
Cabair - Career Pilot - Various site, UK
3.
Oxford Aviation Training - Oxford, UK
4.
Flight Training Europe - Jerez, Spain
The following are airline specific schemes:
5.
easyJet Cadet Sponsorship Scheme (note, this is one of the airlines using CTC Wings)
6.
Flybe (Cabair) Sponsorship (closed for 2007, but runs each year)
7.
Flybe (FTE Jerez) Mentored Pilot Scheme Mentored pilot scheme - not a sponsorship package, self financed but with finance package available
University Aviation Studies Courses:
Traditionally in the past Aeronautical Engineering, along with Science/Maths based sujects, was popular choice for people going into an aviation based career. However, a degree isn't always necessary, and today can be quite expensive. Nor does it need to be in a aviation based subject. However, in the past decade, a number of new courses have appeared under the general title of "Aviation Studies". Often these are linked with Flying Training organisations to offer licensing opportunities.
1.
Kingston University (SW London) - Aviation Studies for Commercial Pilot Training - not a degree, but 2 year foundation course (which looks suspiciouly like ATPL Groundschool, based at
CABAIR, Bournemouth), with a 1 year "top-up" to a degree (BSc) available (at Kingston).
2.
Brunel University (London) - Aviation Engineering with Pilot Studies BEng/MEng (Linked with
CABAIR3.
Salford University - Aviation Engineering/Technology with Pilot Studies (no mention of direct link with Flying Training School)
4.
Leeds University - Aviation Degrees - Aviation Technology with Pilots Studies (linked with Leeds Flying School)
I hope you find these useful. I will keep this post updated, and in coming days will add a section descibing the military route (which is a bit easier for me). Any suggestions, please PM me.
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