Calling all (any) real world civil pilots...

[jb2_86_uk]

Hey, I am a 20 year old university student in the UK. I am studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Birmingham and should graduate with either a Batchelor or even Masters degree in engineering in 2007/8.
I have been in love with aviation and everything about air travel since i was a wee kiddy. I have serious intentions of fulfilling my dream job of being a commercial pilot after university.
Apart from many thousands of hours on msfs and a couple of hours in a glider, I have no real flying experience so my main question is do airlines hire potential pilots with little or no flying experience and train them up to fully qualified pilots?
My alternative question is what is the main route of becoming an airline pilot after graduating from university? and can you give me any tips to 'get the ball in motion' so to speak!

I hope that all made sense, I am very tired!

Thanks in advance

JB2

[jimcooper1]

All universities have a careers advisory service which is free to current students. Talk to them - make them earn their money!!!

They will tell you someting like this:

Pre-entry experience in aviation, eg through a local Air Training Corps (ATC) of the Air Cadet Organisation, is useful as applicants need to display an interest in this field. Those with experience of challenging activities, eg Duke Of Edinburgh's Award, or who have done community work are also very well regarded by interviewers.

Potential candidates need to show evidence of the following:

good educational qualifications;
good communication skills;
level-headedness, calmness and the ability to think and respond appropriately in difficult situations;
self-confidence and a clear speaking voice;
a disciplined outlook and responsible attitude;
good co-ordination and physical fitness;
the ability to motivate and the capacity for team work.
You need to bear in mind that you will be competing for vacancies against many candidates in a similar situation to your own, as well as fully qualified pilots with several thousand hours of flying experience.



Regards

Jim

[C]

I have no real flying experience so my main question is do airlines hire potential pilots with little or no flying experience and train them up to fully qualified pilots?

My alternative question is what is the main route of becoming an airline pilot after graduating from university?

1. Not as much as they used to. Most sponsorship schemes either require part funding by the trainee or the trainee taking out a (large)bond and repaying it once training is completed and they are (hopefully) working. This kind of scheme is run by some of the smaller airlines in conjunction with CTC MacAlpine (worth googling) or similar...

2. Either of the above routes or working in another job whilst doing your licences. Or join the RAF for a few years...

[Saitek]

I think the RAF is the common route.  ::)

[jimcooper1]

RAF pilots have to sign on for a minimum of 12 years
http://www.rafcareers.com/jobs/job_files/jobfile_pilot.cfm

[C]

RAF pilots have to sign on for a minimum of 12 years
http://www.rafcareers.com/jobs/job_files/jobfile_pilot.cfm

...and in my experience very few are offered 12 year (Short Service) commisions. The standard permanent commision now appears to have gone up to 18yrs/40th birthday too now with the new pension scheme and in line with the Army I think. You can still leave at 12 years, but in simple terms, the pension disappears!

[vololiberista]

Hi,
It does no harm at all to telephone the airlines and ask them directly about schemes and sponsorships. But do bear in mind that the competition is ENORMOUS.  If you had joined a university Air Corps the route might have been a little smoother.
If you have time and money get a PPL with a twin engine rating, night rating and instrument rating. Then you stand a good chance of someone being intererested in you. (Don't go via the RAF because if you're not the best of the best of the best they're not interested) Also a word of warning without some kind of sponsorship, the cost of becoming an airline pilot will be prohibitively expensive. I qualified in 1987 and it cost then

[C]

(Don't go via the RAF because if you're not the best of the best of the best they're not interested)

Not true at all. Ok, you have to be good, but each person is considered on their own individual merits. I certainly do not fit in the above catagory, being academically mediocre, and not the best at anything else either!

[logjam]

Seems to me that you don't have the resources to go without sponsorship, so certainly try the RAF route. A scholarship through them will get you the training through a University Air Squadron at least to get your "Wings" Don't sell yourself short, believe in yourself, have confidence! You have the academic qualifications and provided you are medically fit the RAF will take you through the stages. Show leadership qualities and you may not want to give up the benefits of promotion in the RAF for a mundane career in civil aviation.

[Falcon500]

I know nothing of the British Armed Forces, but doesnt every branch have their own air wing? I know the U.S. Marines and Army have airwings. You could always come over "here" across the pond and fly with the Canadian or American Forces, Also check out other European airlines and armed forces.

[vololiberista]

Hi JB2

The posts on this topic seem to argue for or against going via the RAF. The RAF doesn't "train" people to become commercial / airline pilots!! They have their own military agenda and has been pointed out earlier you have to sign up for a large chunk of your flying carrer.  I spent many years at Biggin Hill which was then the main training centre for the RAF and all the tests were aimed at being Pilot Officer material. ie fighter pilots.

The best thing for you to do is, first of all make lots of phone calls to get a good picture of what you may need to do. Then get yourself a PPL with all the bells and whistles atttached. If then you think (and the flying school does toooo!!) that you are a good pilot go for an instructors rating with them.

Many commercial airlines (not the big boys) will take you on for further training if you have all the ratings and lots of hours keeping your bum in the air.

As has been said earlier it is a very competitive market "becoming a pilot"  and both the airlines and the military only need the cream!!!
In boca al lupo.
Vololiberista

[logjam]

When I left the RAF, none of the major Airlines were hiring "fighter Jockeys" as they put it.  Even tho 2/3 of ex military pilots flew transport or similar. The UK isn't like the USA. Look, I fought to fly the cadets in the summer in  the good ole Chipmunk, so that I could get my nose into something small. I never set my ass in a fighter in 15 years. No the RAF doesn't train Airline pilots, but there's more than fighter aircraft to fly. I thoroughly enjoyed my shorter career as a bush pilot in Northern British Columbia and am content to fly a light aircraft on sunny days and holidays now. This JB chappie is trying to get off the ground without a dime in his pocket, how the heck else would he get a chance to fly 4 engine monsters, or make a career of flying. The biggies won't hire him for sure unless he has CPL already.

[C]

[quote]Hi JB2

The posts on this topic seem to argue for or against going via the RAF. The RAF doesn't "train" people to become commercial / airline pilots!! They have their own military agenda and has been pointed out earlier you have to sign up for a large chunk of your flying carrer.