Becoming a commercial pilot?
#31
#33
Invest the money, join the military and get paid to train as a pilot rather than you paying to be a pilot. I'd suspect the majority of pilots are of ex military nature.
Come out after a few years and go commercial, peferably flying helicopters.
Helicopter pilots that do a taxi service back and forward to the oil platforms up here in Aberdeen are on a basic of about £90,000.
I would imagine flying a helicopter is far more challenging and worthwhile as to terms of job satisfaction than being a commercial airline pilot. Lets face it, take off, feet up, land
Come out after a few years and go commercial, peferably flying helicopters.
Helicopter pilots that do a taxi service back and forward to the oil platforms up here in Aberdeen are on a basic of about £90,000.
I would imagine flying a helicopter is far more challenging and worthwhile as to terms of job satisfaction than being a commercial airline pilot. Lets face it, take off, feet up, land
Last edited by Mitchy260; 14 February 2008 at 03:02 PM.
#34
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Much easier said than done. I tried at age 23, they weren't interested, my personality didn't fit the model (too independent-thinking - I'll take that as a compliment!) They were taking 18 and 19 yr olds who were already well on the way to getting a PPL (via gliding etc) and whose character was still young enough to mould.
#35
#36
I was going to mention pprune too (PPRuNe Forums - Professional Pilots Rumour Network) as my lad wants to join the RAF as a Pilot.
But I did pick up that there were so many commercial Pilots not flying, that some were willing to do the job for free so that they could keep their hours up!! Didn't look good for that job market.
I'd also recommend the Rotor side as the jobs seem to be less 'fitted' and narrow focused...
But I did pick up that there were so many commercial Pilots not flying, that some were willing to do the job for free so that they could keep their hours up!! Didn't look good for that job market.
I'd also recommend the Rotor side as the jobs seem to be less 'fitted' and narrow focused...
#37
There isn't an age restriction, close friend of mine is 25 and just started training with AAC. (Been in the Army 6 years as an aircraft engineer)
#39
Invest the money, join the military and get paid to train as a pilot rather than you paying to be a pilot. I'd suspect the majority of pilots are of ex military nature.
Come out after a few years and go commercial, peferably flying helicopters.
Helicopter pilots that do a taxi service back and forward to the oil platforms up here in Aberdeen are on a basic of about £90,000.
I would imagine flying a helicopter is far more challenging and worthwhile as to terms of job satisfaction than being a commercial airline pilot. Lets face it, take off, feet up, land
Come out after a few years and go commercial, peferably flying helicopters.
Helicopter pilots that do a taxi service back and forward to the oil platforms up here in Aberdeen are on a basic of about £90,000.
I would imagine flying a helicopter is far more challenging and worthwhile as to terms of job satisfaction than being a commercial airline pilot. Lets face it, take off, feet up, land
#40
two people at interview - one is out of Uni, science and maths degree, been flying gliders since he was 2 and dreamt of being a pilot serving his country his whole life.
other is a 25 year old who wants a career change and thinks that flying lark looks fun if it was only a bit cheaper!
#41
Leslie, have never flown myself but have a good 10yrs aviation background in engineering
Mainly on helicopter types, Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Sikorsky and Bell civil aircraft. Gazelle, Lynx, and Apache military.
I know a lot of pilots, military and civil, and know quite a few within the company that im working with that have given up ferrying holiday makers to the balearics on fixed wing to ferrying rig workers rotary. From all accounts, helicopter flying is much more rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. I know the payscales of the pilots within my company and these are very similar to commercial airline, infact slightly better due to north sea oil industry.
Mainly on helicopter types, Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Sikorsky and Bell civil aircraft. Gazelle, Lynx, and Apache military.
I know a lot of pilots, military and civil, and know quite a few within the company that im working with that have given up ferrying holiday makers to the balearics on fixed wing to ferrying rig workers rotary. From all accounts, helicopter flying is much more rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. I know the payscales of the pilots within my company and these are very similar to commercial airline, infact slightly better due to north sea oil industry.
#42
Yes - but what force is going to want someone in their mid 20's that's has (until now) shown ZERO sign of serving.
two people at interview - one is out of Uni, science and maths degree, been flying gliders since he was 2 and dreamt of being a pilot serving his country his whole life.
other is a 25 year old who wants a career change and thinks that flying lark looks fun if it was only a bit cheaper!
two people at interview - one is out of Uni, science and maths degree, been flying gliders since he was 2 and dreamt of being a pilot serving his country his whole life.
other is a 25 year old who wants a career change and thinks that flying lark looks fun if it was only a bit cheaper!
Join the B.A as an aircraft engineer, takes about 2 years to do and on completion of training, promotion to L/Cpl. A further 1 year after this gaining experience, promotion to corporal will happen. (About 3 1/2 yrs so far inc basic training)
Then as soon as you reach rank of corporal within AC engineering, application to be a pilot is as simple as going into see your OC and asking for it. You will then sit a few medicals, an aptitude test and then if successful, pilot training at RAF Cranwell/Shawbury, fixed wing 1st, then onto helicopters.
This way you could be a trained pilot within 5-6 years without paying 1 penny towards it (Receiving an income of around £30k pa whilst you train, holding rank of CPL)
Age isn't taken into account with above route, ive known 30-35yr olds engineers doing it this way
Get to fly a £47m apache and fire a few missiles at talabani ragheads too
Last edited by Mitchy260; 15 February 2008 at 05:06 PM.
#43
Leslie, have never flown myself but have a good 10yrs aviation background in engineering
Mainly on helicopter types, Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Sikorsky and Bell civil aircraft. Gazelle, Lynx, and Apache military.
I know a lot of pilots, military and civil, and know quite a few within the company that im working with that have given up ferrying holiday makers to the balearics on fixed wing to ferrying rig workers rotary. From all accounts, helicopter flying is much more rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. I know the payscales of the pilots within my company and these are very similar to commercial airline, infact slightly better due to north sea oil industry.
Mainly on helicopter types, Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Sikorsky and Bell civil aircraft. Gazelle, Lynx, and Apache military.
I know a lot of pilots, military and civil, and know quite a few within the company that im working with that have given up ferrying holiday makers to the balearics on fixed wing to ferrying rig workers rotary. From all accounts, helicopter flying is much more rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. I know the payscales of the pilots within my company and these are very similar to commercial airline, infact slightly better due to north sea oil industry.
Les
#45
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A guy at work made this career change last summer. He already had a PPL, so when the opportunity arose to be funded to get his commercial license he jumped at the chance. There is forecast to be a large increase in the number of commercial aircraft over the next 20 years (like double the number) so when you consider that there are also experienced pilots who will be retiring, there will be strong demand for new people.
But remember, not all pilots are earning a mint. For a start this guy had to commit to staying with the same company (something to do with Easyjet) for 5 years after qualifying. Also it's the pilots (as opposed to first officers) on the larger aircraft with the flag carriers who get the biggest pay. I've heard that there are pilots in the US (Southwest) who earn $50,000 per year. The smaller jets (A320 family, 737 family) are far more numerous than 747/777/A340/A350/A380 so most pilots will be earning a lot less than a BA 747 senior pilot.
I think it should be a lifestyle choice first, the money may come, but only much later. You might be lucky and find someone willing to put you through training.
But remember, not all pilots are earning a mint. For a start this guy had to commit to staying with the same company (something to do with Easyjet) for 5 years after qualifying. Also it's the pilots (as opposed to first officers) on the larger aircraft with the flag carriers who get the biggest pay. I've heard that there are pilots in the US (Southwest) who earn $50,000 per year. The smaller jets (A320 family, 737 family) are far more numerous than 747/777/A340/A350/A380 so most pilots will be earning a lot less than a BA 747 senior pilot.
I think it should be a lifestyle choice first, the money may come, but only much later. You might be lucky and find someone willing to put you through training.
#46
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I have often dreamt about training as a pilot as a career change, lot of really good info on PPRUNE. I came across one thread asking about typical salaries for pilots on all sorts of aircraft and companies - once I'd read the thread I stopped thinking a move to be a pilot was a good career change. £ is okay for the bigger co's and large jets, but for the regional stuff it was nothing special.
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