Expert: D. Norkus - 2/12/2008

Question
I'm 18, currently taking IBDP year 5 (will be completed in 2 years time, equivalent to A level). I have done O level last year. I have a lot of questions regarding becoming a pilot or a air attendant. Hope you can give me some advices.

What is the minimum age to take pilot course? Must I get the International Baccalaureate Diploma or an A level Cert in order to further pilot course in an university? What are the top universities to study it? Any university will accept people with only the qualifications of O level? Do I have to be very very good in physics and math? How can I apply for the scholarships and what are the requirements and qualifications? What does the scholarships include and how much approximately do I need to stay in that particular country to complete the course? How long is the course till I get employed by the airlines? Is there any job attachments during course and is there any attachment bond for that particular scholarship?

I'm shortsighted, what is the medical standard for vision? If I cant reach the standard, can I still study after I go for Lasik surgery? What is the average pay of a pilot upon completing the course? what are the rankings and how to achieve it?

I like physics math, but sometimes will just stuck somewhere. I don't really know about pilot course, but I wish to fly as a pilot. What is the maximum age being a pilot? and I'm an Asian female, not from a wealthy family background, so I have to plan and budget, a scholarship will really help me. I don't mind staying in a foreign country (because I already study in a foreign land, on scholarship)

Thanks.


Answer
Helen

You certainly have many questions! However, since you are apparently in the UK (you mentioned "O" and "A" levels) and I am in the United States, the answers to your questions will differ slightly from your  country to my country. As a U.S. airline pilot, my profile states I can address flight training and pilot career questions from those training or with a work  permit the USA. As such, I can only provide limited insight as you are abroad.

*What is the minimum age to take pilot course?
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sets the age limits. At age 18, you are above their minimum age of 17-
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=70&gid=209&faqid=131

*Must I get the International Baccalaureate Diploma or an A level Cert in order to further pilot course in an university?
I have read that in the UK, pilots are often hired without a degree. To be hired by a U.S. major, you must have a bachelors to be a competitive candidate.

As an example, here is a UK pilot cadet scheme (CTC Wings) requirement:
"Have 2 ‘A’ levels (or equivalent) preferably in Maths and a Science subject (Physics is recommended) at Grade C or higher.  Fluent in English (written/verbal) and right of abode and work in EU in their own right."

You should reference the careers section on the websites of the airlines you wish to work for their educational requirements.


*What are the top universities to study it?
There are many! (In the USA, several dozen) "Top" is also a relative term. There are some very big name schools with well known reputations but one does not need to attend one to get a pilot job. As far as schools in the UK, I cannot advise.

*Any university will accept people with only the qualifications of O level?
I cannot advise. Even if you wanted to attend a U.S. aviation university, I have no idea how they would matriculate your "O" or "A" levels. You will need to contact the university you are interested in applying with directly for their admission standards.

*Do I have to be very very good in physics and math?
In the USA, no. Some airlines in the UK or Europe (even in Asia) may have hiring requirements that include having such coursework though. You would need to check the individual airlines pilot hiring requirements to see if they want a minimum level of math.

*How can I apply for the scholarships and what are the requirements and qualifications? What does the scholarships include and how much approximately do I need to stay in that particular country to complete the course?

Regarding scholarships:
I think you misunderstand. I do not have any information on flight scholarships that will pay for an aviation university or an airline training program. I keep track of small one time awards ($500-3,000 USD) that assist women flight training to achieve a pilot certificate or advanced rating. They are limited to those in the United States. (Most are given via individual American chapters of the Int'l Women Pilots to females in their region only.) For those looking to find a scholarship that will pay for the majority of their courses or training, they won't find such a thing. The military is the only way to get paid flight training and due to the commitment it certainly isn't 'free'.

Your best bet for a flight training scholarship in the UK would be through the International Organization of Women Pilots)aka "The Ninety-Nines, Inc), Women In Aviation International. Both organizations offer small scholarships that will help you get your Private Pilot or an advanced rating or pilot certificate if you already have your Private. Also try the British Women Pilots Association.

http://www.ninety-nines.org
http://www.wai.org
http://www.bwpa.co.uk/

"I'm an Asian female, not from a wealthy family background, so I have to plan and budget, a scholarship will really help me. I don't mind staying in a foreign country (because I already study in a foreign land, on scholarship)"

Seeing as you say you are Asian, I think that this link would benefit you for more info on airline pilot careers from an Asian perspective- http://www.AskCaptainLim.com

This link has info from British Airline Pilots Association/BAPA has a listing of flight "scholarships available" (although most seem to really be loans) in the UK-
http://www.balpa.org/intranet/How-to-bec/UsefulInfo.htm
(You will need Acrobat Reader to view this file.)

You can also try http://www.AvScholars.com but I believe they are mostly for those in the USA as well.

*How long is the course till I get employed by the airlines?

Pilot courses or flight training programs have no relation to your employment by an airline UNLESS the program is affiliated with an airline, like a "cadet program". Many pilots complete flight training through their commercial pilot certificate and are not employable with an airline without much more experience. "Cadet programs" place pilots with substantially lower experience requirements compared to those who do not do one. The length of time to finish flight training varies. Some programs are at the students own pace while others have a set curriculum to accomplish over a few weeks or months. Also, if enrolled in an airline affiliated cadet program, you are not guaranteed a jobs after the program is finished unless you pass a certain standard. I know very little about airline cadet programs as they don't exist here in the USA. We have airline "bridge programs" where regional airlines give interviews to program graduates but the entire cost is covered by the pilot, not the airline.

You should search the forums at http://www.pprune.org for "cadet schemes" as there are hundreds, even thousands, of posts on the topic in their message forums.

*Is there any job attachments during course and is there any attachment bond for that particular scholarship?
I have no in depth knowledge about that as we don't have that here in the USA. Again, reference the PPRUNE forums.

*I'm shortsighted, what is the medical standard for vision? If I cant reach the standard, can I still study after I go for Lasik surgery?
The CAA eyesight standards for commercial pilots can be found here-
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED-JARClass1InitialVisStds%5B2189%5D.pdf

I have no idea what the CAAs policy is on LASIK. Contact the CAA Medical division about that:
Aeromedical Centre
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South Area
Gatwick
West Sussex RH6 0YR
Telephone: 01293 573700

*What is the average pay of a pilot upon completing the course?
Pay varies by airline and the aircraft flown. In the USA, starting pilot pay at the regionals is around $20,000 USD but I cannot advise on what it would be abroad. Try this link for salaries- http://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/
Click on a specific region, then airline name for compensation figures.

*What is the maximum age being a pilot?
Age 65 for airline pilots.

The British Airline Pilots Association/BAPA has a career guide that covers a lot of what you want to know about. Read that career guide as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file here-
http://www.balpa.org.uk/intranet/How-to-bec/How%20to%20become%20a%20pilot%20quar...

Additionally, Oxford Aviation in the UK, http://www.oxfordaviation.net/ has a pilot message board that will help answer your questions about training and cadet schemes- http://ask.oxfordaviation.net/

Hope this helps
Dottie