Decision time is coming up...
Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:39 amI'm almost seventeen now and graduating in very close to a year from school, with an International Baccalaureate Diploma, so I'm starting to really think about my future in aviation.
My grades on the IGCSEs (which I sat in June 2005) in the scientific department were as follows:
Math- A*
Physics- A
Chemistry- A
Biology- A
In my other subjects, I had all As (including for English Language and English Literature) and one B.
I went for two thorough medical checkups last summer, one at a large Medical Center in Belgium and another at a qualified Aviation physician, and in both I came through perfectly. My height to weight ratio and back were also perfect.
My vision was also tested and I had 20/20 vision.
My eventual ambition is to become an Airline Transport Pilot. I've been obsessed with aircraft and aviation for as long as my memory stretches and I have already clocked several hours in gliders to affirm my passion. The question is how I'm going to get there.
I'm trying the preliminary for the Belgian Air Force this summer, so I already know if I will get in or not. However, I decided not to count on getting in because I know an F-16 pilot and have talked to several Mirage pilots who have assured me that the selection process for the Air Force is much more selective than for civil aviation, obviously.
As far as I am aware, my second option is the Integrated ATPL. I could do this either at Sabena Flight Academy or at Oxford Aviation Training.
My third back up plan in case all else failed was Aeronautical Engineering, but that would really be diverting from my true ambition.
I talked to my parents about it, obviously they'd prefer I dont join the Air Force but if I pass, they're willing to let me go through with it.
My dad seemed to prefer the idea of SFA or OAT, whereas my mum would prefer me to do some sort of Engineering.
I think it would just be interesting to hear some views from you all, particularly those who have chased their dream of becoming pilots or who are considering it as well.
I would be very interested to hear which paths you took.
My grades on the IGCSEs (which I sat in June 2005) in the scientific department were as follows:
Math- A*
Physics- A
Chemistry- A
Biology- A
In my other subjects, I had all As (including for English Language and English Literature) and one B.
I went for two thorough medical checkups last summer, one at a large Medical Center in Belgium and another at a qualified Aviation physician, and in both I came through perfectly. My height to weight ratio and back were also perfect.
My vision was also tested and I had 20/20 vision.
My eventual ambition is to become an Airline Transport Pilot. I've been obsessed with aircraft and aviation for as long as my memory stretches and I have already clocked several hours in gliders to affirm my passion. The question is how I'm going to get there.
I'm trying the preliminary for the Belgian Air Force this summer, so I already know if I will get in or not. However, I decided not to count on getting in because I know an F-16 pilot and have talked to several Mirage pilots who have assured me that the selection process for the Air Force is much more selective than for civil aviation, obviously.
As far as I am aware, my second option is the Integrated ATPL. I could do this either at Sabena Flight Academy or at Oxford Aviation Training.
My third back up plan in case all else failed was Aeronautical Engineering, but that would really be diverting from my true ambition.
I talked to my parents about it, obviously they'd prefer I dont join the Air Force but if I pass, they're willing to let me go through with it.
My dad seemed to prefer the idea of SFA or OAT, whereas my mum would prefer me to do some sort of Engineering.
I think it would just be interesting to hear some views from you all, particularly those who have chased their dream of becoming pilots or who are considering it as well.
I would be very interested to hear which paths you took.
