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Commercial Pilots

On 22 Jul 2017 at 1:52pm Billy wrote:

Why do we not hear aspiring Commercial Pilots complaining about the huge financial investment (100k plus) they have to make in order to obtain their licence?

On 22 Jul 2017 at 2:09pm Mum wrote:

Good point. My 11 yr old son wants to be a pilot but I can't see how he can achieve this??

On 22 Jul 2017 at 2:16pm Mark wrote:

Would cost him nearly that much to get a university degree.

On 22 Jul 2017 at 8:04pm Chips wrote:

Mark you have a chip the size of Newhaven on your shoulders.

On 22 Jul 2017 at 8:40pm Dfl wrote:

One of the easiest ways is to go to a university linked to an RAF training programme. You're paid while you train. Nephew did it this way. Unfortunately he failed the medical to progress in the RAF on graduation but is now about to start training to get his commercial pilots licence at Bournemouth. But before he went to uni, he'd already gone solo and got his private pilots licence paying for it by part-time work and help from relies. It's building up the hours in your 'log book' that costs. My brother - his Dad - also did it this way, but without uni or going into the RAF, joined the ATC at Biggin Hill and has been a captain for Virgin for about 20 years now. Working class background too.

On 22 Jul 2017 at 9:17pm Localist wrote:

First step, PPL, not expensive, not difficult. To build up your hours after getting your PPL, go to America and work as a crop sprayer. You will get food and board in exchange for flying x number of hours every day.

On 22 Jul 2017 at 9:25pm Dfl wrote:

@Localist yes that's what bruv did - went to the states to build up his hours (not crop spraying though)

On 22 Jul 2017 at 10:05pm Localist wrote:

I did my PPL many moons ago just for the hell of it, but I never did anything with it, which I regret, (apart from meeting my, to be, wife and subsequently marrying on an private airfield near Lewes). I always planned to go to the USA to crop spray, but given the chemicals involved at that time, I'm glad I didn't do it. I might yet revive my flying, but I'd rather do helicopters.

On 23 Jul 2017 at 8:58am Erp wrote:

Getting an ATPL can be seen as a fitness test. If you are daunted by the process you might not be suited to the job. I have a microlight licence but while I love flying I know I don't have the drive or apptitude to go further. Lots of competition for those jobs so unless you are a desirable minority that will look good to HR you are unlikely to get sponsorship. RAF UAS is great if you can get it but it is fairly limited as well.
I know a few missionary pilots, they have some of the most rewarding and exciting jobs around and no jet time.