After Skool...

[Cobra]

As you may have guessed im an aspirring pilot, hoping to go and fly heavies when i finish my education. Im currently studying English Language, Computing, Chemistry, Physics and Critical Thinking at A-Level, and were now starting to have to think about university. I really have no idea what to do? Im taking a gap year to teach windsurfing in Egypt and Mountain Biking in the Alps,  :D! But after im really clueless. Do any of you guys know what sort of Degrees etc the airlines are looking for, if any??

Our careers guy at school knows even less than i do, so can t ask him!!

Cheers Mike

[Sytse]

I don't think they're looking for specific degrees, but I'm sure something technical will help. Other than that it'll help if you have some experience with working in teams or even being a team leader.

You don't really need all those things, but they'll sure help!

Another piece of advise: don't wait too long before signing up! Most flight schools for airlines advise a maximum age of 27...

Good luck and happy landings!  ;)

[C]

Mmm, if you're having a gap year, make sure you make money from it. If not I wouldn't bother - get to uni and get on with a degree. Unless you live at home or become a virtual recluse for 3 years or are quite well off uni will hit you hard, and you'll have a fair bit of debt, which isn't great considering the amount of money needed for flying training (unless you are lucky enough to have your licenses completely sponsored).

As for a degree - top tip - pick something you can guarantee you'll enjoy studying, as it can become a long hard slog, particularly if you don't enjoy, or become easily bored by the subject...

Charlie (speaking from experience...)

[Alphajet_Enthusiast]

As you may have guessed im an aspirring pilot, hoping to go and fly heavies when i finish my education. Im currently studying English Language, Computing, Chemistry, Physics and Critical Thinking at A-Level, and were now starting to have to think about university. I really have no idea what to do? Im taking a gap year to teach windsurfing in Egypt and Mountain Biking in the Alps,  :D! But after im really clueless. Do any of you guys know what sort of Degrees etc the airlines are looking for, if any??

Our careers guy at school knows even less than i do, so can t ask him!!

Cheers Mike

Pretty similar to me, except that I am doing the International Bac Diploma.
Best of luck!

Fastest way to the right seat, you're going to be looking at getting a frozen ATPL.
Fastest way to do this is through an integrated ATPL(A) course, which will take approximately 90-95 weeks, but then you are pretty much ready to go to the airlines as a first officer.

I did my research yesterday, I need to start thinking about this stuff, too...  :)

[Nexus]

Will somebody please give me the names of airlines who hire fresh "first officers" with only 200-250hrs under their belt?

Last time I checked SAS commuter wanted pilots with 1000hrs+.
The small cargo company WestAir Sweden (I swear not many have heard of them, they are really small) required their applicants to have +400hrs.

In other words, when you're done with the ATPL program, don't expect airlines to jump over you, because you only have around ~240hrs by the time you complete that program.

Not to sound rude or anything, but that's almost less than what I have atm, and I'm not done in school yet :-/

[Alphajet_Enthusiast]

Sorry, Nexus, got that wrong then..

However, I did read in Airliner World about OAT and how they have employment deals with a couple of major airlines including Thomas Cooke, which provides employment for their graduates.

To cater for the possibility that an APP FIRST OFFICER graduate does not gain airline employment within 6 months of leaving, OAT provides another safety net termed Skills Renewal to protect you from the cost of having to stay current and properly qualified while seeking that first job.

I suppose you are referring to this:
[quote]Completion of the course leads to a CPL(A) with IR(A) and MCC

[C]

In other words, when you're done with the ATPL program, don't expect airlines to jump over you, because you only have around ~240hrs by the time you complete that program.

Sounds fair. Don't really keep up with the airline world as I won't be looking for a job with them just yet! However, most of the sponsorship opportunities you see in the UK with the major flying schools come with the caveat that successful trainees then spend a year or two building serious hours as instructors.

[Cobra]

Thanks guys, in regard to the airlines the most appealing thing seems to be getting sponsered by the airlines to get your ATPL, then they pretty much guarentee you a job after...
or so i have heard, im quite sure a lotta airlines do this, like BA nd Easyjet...

Correct me if im worng

[C]

Thanks guys, in regard to the airlines the most appealing thing seems to be getting sponsered by the airlines to get your ATPL, then they pretty much guarentee you a job after...
or so i have heard, im quite sure a lotta airlines do this, like BA nd Easyjet...

Correct me if im worng

Sponsorship varies from 100% sponsorship, such as that run by BA before 9/11, and the more modern "sponsorship" run by companies such as CTC on behalf of EasyJet, TUI, First Choice etc... Sponsorship being in inverted commas as the scheme runs with the trainee taking out a bond, which is then repaid once he's earning with the airline, or heaven forbid, is unable to find a flying job...