The most economical way is sponsorship of some kind, although unfortunately most of it is now only part sponsorship, and there would be a good chance you'd go abroad to do you training. I think BA are probably the only UK airline to do the full cadet pilot programme at no financial cost to the student.

A few of the smaller airlines are doing a scheme which involves the use of a bond of about £70,000 which on completion of the training scheme you start to pay back at about £5000pa. This is run in conjunction with the training company CTC MacAlpine.

The (sort of) cheapest way in to the airlines is by spending 12/16 years in the RAF or RN with decent job security, good pay and a very good life, but its probably harder to get a place in the RAF at the mo than it is to get into the airlines...

The final option of course is to do your PPL, get your FI rating, get an IR and Multi rating, a CPL and then build the hours and take the exams for the ATPL, but that's the long route (apart from the RAF/RN)

Just look around airline websites and keep an eye on the back pages of Flight International...

Good luck,

Charlie

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I don't think I'm qualified to answer that one...

Try the forums at

www.pprune.org

Charlie

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Or a long-distance truck driver for that matter.

I'm sure you could arrange your life around your job. Not everyone works 9 - 5 nor wishes to do so.  I know a few airline captains on long range routes & this doesn't seem to interfere with their private lives or their hobbies. My niece is  a senior flight attendant on the Virgin Atlantic international routes. She recently got engaged at the top of Table Mountain in South Africa. Her boyfriend had arranged to accompany her on a regular trip. The whole crew knew all about it, except her. A close friend on the crew went with them & got the whole thing on video, with the boyfriend on bended knee & all the bells & whistles. It must have been a wonderful surprise & very romantic. Fortunately she accepted.

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I think if I was ever lucky enough to get on with an airline I would really like to do domestic flights as that way there would be more of a chance to spend time with my family. I know what you mean though about 9 to 5 and it is great that some people make it work and can still have time with there families. I have just found the best girl in the world and I really don’t want to spend days apart from her. Have to admit though; flying international flights would be excellent! So how many of you guys have got your PPL?

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Cheers for the advice Hager, it is appreciated as every little helps! I know I’ve got her 100% support, I was just curious really. I would rather know the complete score before I try and proceed with a carrier in aviation

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Thanks you for the information Woodsup, I haven’t heard anything back from British Airways yet but i`ll give them a call and see what they say. Have you got any recommendations of any good commercial training schools?

Unfortunatly beefhole is painfully right. Most of the places ive heard of cost £50k+. The idea of that debt isnt one i'd take on. It is certainly worth looking at foriegn training though (australia/canada) which is easier and hopefully cheaper.