AIRLINE PILOT

There are 3 routes into this career:

1. Intergrated Course.
2. Modular Route.
3. Armed Forces.

1. Integrated Course.
This type of course will take you in from a complete beginner
and train you up to ATPL (frozen until you have the necessary
experience level) standards.
The course is offered by schools that have been approved by
the CAA.
This is the preferred method of entry direct to the airlines,
since your training has been monitored throughout; this gives
any potential employer a guide to your overall standard and
ability.
Costs for these courses typically vary from about 60,000
pounds sterling to 80,000 pounds sterling.
They are full time and will run intensively for approximately
14 months, usually residential.
The colleges provide training overseas where the weather is
guaranteed to be better suited.
The required qualifications are minimum:
At least 5 GCSEs grade C or above which should include
Maths, English and a Science. Additionally, you are required
to have at least two A-levels at grade C or above. Any A-level
subjects are acceptable.
In addition you will have to pass a selection procedure.
This selection consists of 4 phases:

The first phase (application) will ascertain whether you have
the basic qualifications for the programme.
The second phase, will be testing your aptitude for flying as
an airline pilot. These tests will also test numeracy and
cognitive ability. You will also take part in some group
activities. You have to be a team player.
The third phase consists of an interview with a member of
the assessment team. They will be looking for someone who
is highly motivated.
The final phase will be conducted in an aircraft simulator to
demonstrate and confirm your capacity to learn simple tasks
in a highly complex environment.
The selection process is tough, and many will not get through.
For example last year CTC Wings had 4513 applications of
which only 164 were selected.
Preparation for selection is a good idea.
This route has the backing of some of the major banks.
Alternatively some schools provide finance arrangements.
Discuss your requirements with them.
Web addresses of some schools that offer the course:
http://www.sfa.be/pilot-training/en/bpintro.htm
http://www.ctcwings.co.uk/index_home.asp
http://www.oxfordaviation.net/
http://www.cabair.com/
http://www.ftejerez.cohttp://www.cabair.com/m/index.php
http://www.waaviationcollege.com.au/

Most of the schools have links with the major airlines and will
be able to help you get a placement on completion of your
training.

2. Modular Route:
This is a modular version of the course. The same subjects are
covered, but broken down to allow you to complete the course
at your own academic and financial speed.
Advantages here are for people who may have to fit the
training in to a working environment. It also allows the
payment to be spread out. It is a cheaper option than the
integrated course.
However you do need to be committed, it is harder to realize a
goal if it has no time limit. Obviously if you end up giving up
half way through then it can be financially disastrous, and
much worse the destruction of your dream.
There are no formal qualifications required for this route, but
if you do not have a good grounding in maths and physics you
will not be able to cope with the course work. There are 14
theory subjects in which you will be examined for the ATPL.
Although this method is regarded as an easier way into flying
training, beware. If you do not have the ability to complete the
theory and practical side of the training you will have wasted
your own time and money. The standards expected are the
same whichever way you approach the final exams and flight
tests.
As far as the airlines go the route is less popular.
The main problem is that they cannot track your training
progress.
To offset this, it is worth considering doing the course with
one school that is trusted by the airlines.
This is a route favoured by mature applicants who will be
using their current employment to finance the training.
Often the first job on qualifying will be with a general
aviation company. This will be on a smaller aircraft doing
anything, some examples being: air taxi, cargo or flying for
the coastguard.
This sort of flying is fun (although paid less) and once
experience is gained will open the airline doors up at a later
date. Experience gained in this environment is extremely
valuable and is recognised by the industry.
However, many pilots do not apply for the airlines, since the
flying is very different and not everyone is suited to it.
Costs here typically around 45000 pounds sterling, depending
on your ability since re-training, especially on the flying side
will cost more.
One final tip here do not pay for all your training up front, pay
as you go.
Web addresses of schools offering Modular courses:
www.cabair.com
www.ptc.ie
www.bcft.org.uk

3. Armed Forces.
The last route would be joining the RAF or one of the other
armed forces flying branches.
You can apply to join the RAF as a pilot directly from sixth
form. They provide 2,000 sponsorship during your Upper
Sixth year and after youve joined, you can then study for an
Open University degree and work for them at the same time.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship of
1,000, followed by a University Bursary of 1,000 a year if
you study for a degree youve agreed with them. In return,
they ask you to become a member of the University Air
Squadron (UAS) (or Air Training Corps while youre at
school) and to join the RAF once you finish your studies.
As well as financial support, UAS is an opportunity to get
first-hand experience of working with their people,
technology and aircraft and they will also give you free
flying lessons.
Your role as a pilot in the RAF is as varied as the aircraft you
can fly. Once youve completed initial training, youll be
selected to fly jets, larger multi-engine aircraft or helicopters.
As the pilot of a Euro fighter Typhoon, your primary role will
be air-to-air combat or ground attack. In a Hercules transport
aircraft, you could be sent anywhere in the world on military
support or humanitarian aid missions. In a helicopter your
duties might include anything from search and rescue flights
to ferrying troops and equipment into combat zones.
Qualifications:
2 A-levels or 3 Highers or equivalent. 5 GCSEs/SCEs at
Grade C/3 minimum or equivalent, including English
language and maths
Joining age: 17.5 23yrs
Cost to you ZERO.
Bear in mind however you will be joining a military
organization with all the attendant risks that poses.
Once you have served the contractual period here you may
leave and apply for the airlines. Many pilots come in from this
route.

Website:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/


Entry Salary Levels (as of 2008)

Medium Jets:
First Officer: 23000 to 35000 Pounds sterling Basic.
(Plus 2000 to 8000 pounds sterling flight duty pay.)
Captain: 38000 to 58000 pounds Sterling Basic.
(Plus 3000 to 8000 pounds sterling flight duty pay.)

Large Jets:
First Officer: 24000 to 48000 pounds sterling basic.
(Plus 2000 to 8000 flight duty pay.)
Captain: 55000 to 135000 pounds Sterling Basic.
(Plus 3000 to 12000 pounds flight duty pay.)

Royal Air Force:
33000 pounds basic (increasing with rank.)

All these figures are entry levels and vary between companies.
Most companies have a yearly pay level increase which
provides a pay increment based on your time employed by
them.
Remember as a first officer you will have to pay back your
training costs either to the bank or the training organisation
and that can go on for a number of years.
Once the ATPL has been acquired then the next stage of
training begins.
It will be necessary to get an aeroplane type rating on your
licence.
If you have been taken on by an airline then the choice of
aircraft will be taken out of your hands.
Currently this cost is borne by you. You will enter into a
bonding agreement with your employer to stay with the
company for usually 3 years or be liable to pay the full
training costs. This does vary from company to company
since some expect you to pay for the training completely.
In any event it will be another 8 months of advanced training
with further exams and checks before you are released to the
line.
So the total period (minimum) from starting to get on line as a
qualified First officer will be 2 years.
The tests and exams will then go on throughout your career.
You will have to revalidate your licence twice a year in the
simulator.
You will have to revalidate your medical once yearly.
You will have a group of written exams, yearly, to keep your
knowledge up to date on Emergency systems, procedures,
equipment, fire drills...etc.
We train hard so that in the event of a problem it becomes
second nature to solve. We will have seen it all before many
times. (Even if it was only in the simulator)
First steps........
The Class One Medical at The CAA doctor in London
Gatwick is a must. Without that you cant fly.
Try a trial flight or series of them at a local flying club (or get
a ride in an aeroplane from someone you know.)There isnt
much point in starting this if you get airsick or it terrifies you.
If you can afford it try a ride in a real simulator.
Take an assessment at one of the schools. That will give you
an indication as to how suitable you are.
If you do go ahead.....DONT EVER GIVE UP.......the
hurdles are massive but it is doable. Even though you will
doubt it many times.......

GOOD LUCK.