| Becoming a pilot is a childhood dream of many children, | | | | We now look at the different pilot career options |
| which some times even carried to adulthood. | | | | available for different types of licences. |
| However, very few people actually pursue a pilot | | | | Pilot Career with PPL |
| career. The main reason for this the cost of becoming | | | | Basically flying for fun and gaining experience on the |
| a pilot. | | | | way to commercial licences if desired. Limited to three |
| Those who are lucky enough would get selected to a | | | | passengers and a maximum weight 2000kgs. A large |
| military pilot career or one of the very few civilian | | | | variety of aircraft are available. |
| sponsored programs with an airline. Others have to | | | | Pilot Career with PPL and Instrument Rating |
| find the money to train as pilot and get the necessary | | | | The holder cannot work for reward but can use the |
| licences to pursue a commercial pilot career. | | | | airways and carry out beacon approaches to airfields. |
| Military Pilot Career | | | | Not all airfields are available as some such as |
| The military has been the traditional starting point for | | | | Heathrow and Gatwick have strict limits. The holder |
| many seeking the pilot career. In the past this was | | | | can fly as an unpaid pilot assistant. |
| brought about by the need for national military service. | | | | The holder can also fly any aircraft that his rating |
| The military is also the place to fly the fast exciting | | | | allows but is limited to 2000kg and a maximum of |
| aircraft that challenge the pilot at the highest level. | | | | three passengers. |
| There are three main choices Army, Navy and Fleet | | | | Pilot Career with PPL and Instructor Rating |
| Air Arm or The Royal Air Force. Entry to all three | | | | The holder can teach on aircraft for which he is rated |
| services is now very competitive. | | | | provided he has the required level of experience on |
| The Royal Air Force is the primary service for Air | | | | the type. The holder must be a member of the same |
| Power and is the main force for air defence, attack | | | | organisation as the student. Can only be paid if |
| and air support. Only officers are trained for the pilot | | | | teaching for a licence such as NPPL or the leisure |
| career in the RAF and RN but a pilot career is | | | | licence shortly to be available. Most of the aircraft in |
| available to officers and non-commissioned officers in | | | | this field are the Piper or Cessna single engine aircraft. |
| the Army. | | | | Pilot Career with CPL only |
| Entry requirements are as follows: | | | | This is the basic licence that is required to enable the |
| Navy | | | | holder to receive payment. The holder can fly twin |
| Age 17. minimum 2 A level /AH grades or 3 H grades | | | | engined aircraft as captain operating as single pilot |
| and 3 GCSE/S grades must include English language | | | | crew. They can carry passengers and fly with a pilot |
| and maths. Alternative qualifications will be considered. | | | | assistant. Aircraft types are Piper Seneca, Chieftain, |
| Army | | | | Cessna 310, Beech Barons and similar types. This area |
| Age 17yrs 9months.The majority of army officers are | | | | of work has limited opportunities and strong |
| graduates but the minimum requirements are 5GCSE | | | | competition. Many pilots seek to build their experience |
| S grades, 2Alevels or 3 H grades. with English | | | | in this field. The holder cannot fly in airways and must |
| language maths and a standard grade science subject | | | | have the appropriate type ratings. Weather limitations |
| or a foreign language. | | | | limit the holder's flexibility and thus the work available. |
| RAF | | | | Work is charter flying, crop spraying and bush pilot |
| Age 17. Almost 50% will have a degree. The minimum | | | | Pilot Career with CPL and Instrument Rating |
| is 5GCSE/SCE and 2 A levels, or 3 Highers or | | | | The holder can operate as for CPL, and can fly in the |
| equivalent to include English language and Maths. | | | | Airways. Opportunities for work are greater as |
| The Commercial Pilot Career | | | | weather limitations are less restrictive. The holder is |
| In order to earn money as a pilot you need to obtain at | | | | able to operate when weather deteriorates and is |
| least a COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE. | | | | more likely to obtain work on aircraft such as ATR |
| The pilot career includes a variety of occupations from | | | | and similar. Employment on regional airlines may be |
| airline flying to crop dusting. The training can take up to | | | | available. The Piper and Cessna range of aircraft |
| two years. You need excellent spatial awareness | | | | remain the most common in use for general aviation. |
| allowing you to interpret maps and three dimensional | | | | The holder will qualify for an ATPL with the required |
| displays and good mathematical skills. Once you have | | | | amount of experience. It is important to have the |
| obtained the minimum licence you can work as a co | | | | Multicrew Co-operation License as soon as possible if |
| -pilot or first officer or you can add an instructor rating | | | | not already held. If the holder has completed the |
| and teach to earn a living. | | | | Integrated route of training then he will be able to fly as |
| Alternatives are glider towing, crop spraying, and other | | | | first officer on Multi-crew Aircraft which can include |
| jobs to broaden your experience. | | | | Boeing 747 and the Airbus family. |
| Most people seeking the pilot career will be looking | | | | Pilot Career with CPL and Instructor Rating |
| toward the airlines for employment. To achieve this it is | | | | The holder can teach on aircraft as above without |
| best to train on an Integrated Course as this is the | | | | belonging to the same organisation. The holder can be |
| more favoured route by the airlines as they know the | | | | remunerated. |
| standard of training is consistent. To fly Multi-crew | | | | Pilot Career with ATPL |
| aircraft you must complete the Multi-crew | | | | The holder can operate as captain on Multi-crew |
| Co-operation course which is included in the integrated | | | | Aircraft. The holder can fly in command or first officer |
| course system although it can be taken separately. | | | | on any aircraft for which he holds the rating such as |
| Entry requirements. Age 18, Class 1 medical. A degree | | | | Boeing 747, Airbus family and any other types. |
| is a considerable advantage but not essential. English | | | | Airline Training Captains |
| language and maths are necessary for the pilot | | | | Usually these are very experienced pilots who do not |
| career. It is also advisable to take an aptitude test of | | | | need instructor ratings. They can only teach for the |
| suitability before spending a lot of money on training. | | | | airline they work for unless they have an instructor |
| Pilot Careers With Different Licenses | | | | rating. |