Becoming a Pilot

[Vixus]

I've just got a couple of questions regading a future career as a
pilot, probably beginning after university (Biology).

First of all, I would like to know if ethnicity would pose any barrier
to becoming an airline pilot. All the yahoos that initiated the 9/11
disasters seem to have cast a shadow over a large majority of the
world's population. I have heard from various sources that training
could be denied on bases of your ethnic background and, as a British
citizen, it would be very sad to hear that.

Next, I was wondering if scholarships were still offered. Taking up
aviation is obviously a large financial risk, yet I've heard of
various flight schools still offering scholarships (such as the Mike
Hall Memorial PPL Scholarship). I was wondering if there were other
schools/airlines offering scholarships.

Thanks in advance.

[Brian Whatcott]

On 11 Apr 2005 09:04:37 -0700, (Vixus) wrote:

>I've just got a couple of questions regading a future career as a
>pilot, probably beginning after university (Biology).
>
>First of all, I would like to know if ethnicity would pose any barrier
>to becoming an airline pilot. All the yahoos that initiated the 9/11
>disasters seem to have cast a shadow over a large majority of the
>world's population. I have heard from various sources that training
>could be denied on bases of your ethnic background and, as a British
>citizen, it would be very sad to hear that.
>
>Next, I was wondering if scholarships were still offered. Taking up
>aviation is obviously a large financial risk, yet I've heard of
>various flight schools still offering scholarships (such as the Mike
>Hall Memorial PPL Scholarship). I was wondering if there were other
>schools/airlines offering scholarships.
>
>Thanks in advance.

If you want to be a career pilot, you need to really, really want to
be a pilot. You can pass the medical, right? Did you think a
biology degree would be helpful?

Two good ways to start: sign up for the air force, on the condition
that you get pilot training.
or
find a college that offers a pilot type degree. Some of these can
offer really useful deals.

Other ways: the traditional hard-slog route: scrimp for a CPL-IR
then instruct, then do what it takes to get into a commuter.
That's easier said than done - but it can be done.

You are not about to swan into an airline pilot job, no matter what,
unless your Daddy owns an airline. Think about it. And make up your
mind whether you are willing to pay the price of admission. Then, go
for it!

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

[Vixus]

> If you want to be a career pilot, you need to really, really want to
> be a pilot. You can pass the medical, right? Did you think a
> biology degree would be helpful?

Not particularly, I'm just taking a degree as a backup. Also, I am
keen to go to university.

> Two good ways to start: sign up for the air force, on the condition
> that you get pilot training.

Are you not forced to join the air force for a certain period of time?

> find a college that offers a pilot type degree. Some of these can
> offer really useful deals.

That's a good idea, thank you. But usually you have to pay for
tuition, will this work out cheaper than paying for training (I'm
guessing it will.)

> Other ways: the traditional hard-slog route: scrimp for a CPL-IR
> then instruct, then do what it takes to get into a commuter.
> That's easier said than done - but it can be done.
>
> You are not about to swan into an airline pilot job, no matter what,
> unless your Daddy owns an airline. Think about it. And make up your
> mind whether you are willing to pay the price of admission. Then, go
> for it!
>
> Brian Whatcott Altus OK

Thanks Brian. I know it's a hard route, but I wish to take it. I still
wonder if there are any PPL scholarships being offered, as one of my
friends recently recieved an application form simply for visiting the
London airshow!

[Brian Whatcott]

On 12 Apr 2005 11:43:10 -0700, (Vixus) wrote:

>> If you want to be a career pilot, you need to really, really want to
>> be a pilot. You can pass the medical, right? Did you think a
>> biology degree would be helpful?
>
>Not particularly, I'm just taking a degree as a backup. Also, I am
>keen to go to university.
>
>> Two good ways to start: sign up for the air force, on the condition
>> that you get pilot training.
>
>Are you not forced to join the air force for a certain period of time?
>
>> find a college that offers a pilot type degree. Some of these can
>> offer really useful deals.
>
>That's a good idea, thank you. But usually you have to pay for
>tuition, will this work out cheaper than paying for training (I'm
>guessing it will.)
>
>> Other ways: the traditional hard-slog route: scrimp for a CPL-IR
>> then instruct, then do what it takes to get into a commuter.
>> That's easier said than done - but it can be done.
>>
>> You are not about to swan into an airline pilot job, no matter what,
>> unless your Daddy owns an airline. Think about it. And make up your
>> mind whether you are willing to pay the price of admission. Then, go
>> for it!
>>
>> Brian Whatcott Altus OK
>
>Thanks Brian. I know it's a hard route, but I wish to take it. I still
>wonder if there are any PPL scholarships being offered, as one of my
>friends recently recieved an application form simply for visiting the
>London airshow!


If you're UK based, the first step would be a student trip to a US
school, from what I have seen of private flying costs in the UK
recently

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

[Brian Colwell]

"Vixus" > wrote in message
om...
>> If you want to be a career pilot, you need to really, really want to
>> be a pilot. You can pass the medical, right? Did you think a
>> biology degree would be helpful?
>
> Not particularly, I'm just taking a degree as a backup. Also, I am
> keen to go to university.
>
>> Two good ways to start: sign up for the air force, on the condition
>> that you get pilot training.
>
> Are you not forced to join the air force for a certain period of time?
>
>> find a college that offers a pilot type degree. Some of these can
>> offer really useful deals.
>
> That's a good idea, thank you. But usually you have to pay for
> tuition, will this work out cheaper than paying for training (I'm
> guessing it will.)
>
>> Other ways: the traditional hard-slog route: scrimp for a CPL-IR
>> then instruct, then do what it takes to get into a commuter.
>> That's easier said than done - but it can be done.
>>
>> You are not about to swan into an airline pilot job, no matter what,
>> unless your Daddy owns an airline. Think about it. And make up your
>> mind whether you are willing to pay the price of admission. Then, go
>> for it!
>>
>> Brian Whatcott Altus OK
>
> Thanks Brian. I know it's a hard route, but I wish to take it. I still
> wonder if there are any PPL scholarships being offered, as one of my
> friends recently recieved an application form simply for visiting the
> London airshow!

If you try the airforce route, you will be committed to a certain period of
engagement, obviously they are not going to spend taxpayers money, to give
you the best training available, just to enable you to get a high paying job
with an airline.

BMC

[Vixus]

Precisely, well, thanks anyway... what about PPL scholarships, do you
know if they are still being offered. As for prices, why do you think
it's called Ripoff Britain?