PPL Talk - Again...

[TomNocturnal]

How many of you here are qualified pilots?
(Personal/Private, Commercial or Otherwise)

I am really really interested in getting my PPL. I used to fly alot in Cadets, and really enjoyed it - Apparently, I had a "natural talent" to flying? :k: . I missed my scholarship course because (for some stupid reason) I put my name down for the french exchange??? :think:
I quit the ATC when I was 18, and never flew again (unless going on holiday) :sad:

Playing a lot of Flight Sim recently has reinspired my flying needs, and I want to take it further.


I really miss it, and want to take it back up again.
At first, just with the intention of a hobby, but in the future, I would like to think that there would be ways of going self-employed to make some money!?

I need advice on potential costs for courses, Places I can do the courses, what to expect etc etc etc...

I am based around London, and can't (as yet) drive. So it will probably need to be done within the Greater London area, or the close surrounding counties (up goes the price :roll: )

I look forward to you replies...

(Cough - if anybody owns there own air-based business and wants a young, budding wannabe pilot to train (as an investment), then give me a shout - Cough)

[TomNocturnal]

Well, I considered the RAF. I really wanted to join as a fast jet pilot (as does everybody these days) But I was told I was too tall; 6' 3". I spent a day at RAF Valley on the Fast Response thingy-ma-jig... (although spent most of the day playing table football) :roll: But found it outstandingly interesting...

Also, I kinda floundered my A-Levels when I was told that I was too tall!
So, although im probably not too old (21), I dont think I have the grades?!?

I havn't researched the transport / non-fighter jet roles. I presume they aren't so strict on height and qualifications etc? I did look at choppers.. thats something I like the look of??

I would happily sit my A-Levels again, part-time or something so that I had the grades to get in... But I dont think my other half likes the idea of me being away from home half the year! :k:

It annoys me somewhat. It has to be the only job where you have to actually get £60k in debt, before you get paid? Even if you get sponsored, there is still a massive risk element involved!!!

I would be happy just ferrying rich people back-and-forth...
Or even just hiring a plane myself and buggering off to france for the weekend...

Maybe one day! Or I could just get a fat loan and do it all on the spur of the moment!? :think:

:-({|=

[Hot_Charlie]

Well, I considered the RAF. I really wanted to join as a fast jet pilot (as does everybody these days) But I was told I was too tall; 6' 3".

Also, I kinda floundered my A-Levels when I was told that I was too tall!

Whoever told you that (presuming it was without being properly measured on OASC at Cranwell's kit may well need shooting... (not literally...)

As for the grades (I don't know how "bad" they are - I wasn't terribly academically gifted myself) you have two options - resit the exams (mmm), or with your age in hand you could just squeeze in a degree, and assuming you finish in 3 years (23 and X months) maybe just squeeze inside the age limits (or join the RN - Harriers?). A decent degree pass will go a long way to making up for the A levels. "Clearing" will open up later this month too....

As a direct answer to Tonks last post, having been in the FJ training world relatively recently, and being 6'4" - you really do need to be measured properly - even if it means a doctor examining you in the aircraft...

Feel free to PM... As Tonks says, you're 21, so haven't go much time to act...

[Chris558]

in the RAF you get to fly some Classic British AC for real :dance:
Tonks

By the time he gains his wings with the RAF, there wont be any Classics left, unless you mean the new Nimrod....?

[TomNocturnal]

Well, my grades were as follows:

I.T. - D
Business Studies - D
Physics - E

All those were at A.S. Level. not A Level.
So technically, I have 1 and 1/2 A Levels, being as each A.S. is supposedly 1/2 an A Level.

(I was one of the unlucky ones who managed to be in school during the "A.S" period. Im pretty sure they are doing away with it again because it was so rubbish)

Maybe I should pop into the careers office and see what they say??

[d0mokun]

I have two AS levels and two A levels (soon), and it's not stopped me from going for a career in piloting. Nothing wrong with the AS.. levels (ASs' sounds wrong).

I am hopefully studying at Cranfield in September for three years to get my fATPL, via Cabair college of training; as a student of Bucks Uni.

My only problem is that it'll cost me.. ahem.. £44,555.00 plus VAT.. which is ultimately £52,352.00 .. and a medical in there somewhere.

A lot of the airlines (as I'm now finding out the hard way) don't appear to offer a sponsorship scheme anymore, which is a little unhelpful; but I'll get there in the end.

Have you considered continuing your A levels and going this route?

Dan.

[jonesey2k]

Might actually start getting some lessons myself. Cheaper to do it in a Microlight tho

[TomNocturnal]

That was my original plan.

But then you can get luggage on a microlite! :huf:


I want a sel-employed job. That involves a plane - and me flying it!

Thats just the way its gonna have to be! :crying:

[jonesey2k]

Have a look at the Icarus C42
Bit of a difference from a flex wing!

[DispatchDragon]

Dan& Tom

Talk to Jetset sometime - he came over and got his PPl in FLA
People like Embry Riddle offer a really good deal to the overseas
crowd - of course you get to fly in Thuderstorm Alley lol

I think theres a school at Kingman Az that offers a full course
all the way up to ATP if needed - the only problem then is converting
to JARS over there - of course we now have I think 4 expat Brits
flying for us -- as well as several other "foreigners" ...But then you
have to live in the US to do that




Leif