How to become an airline pilot?

How to become a commercial airline pilot?

• I'm currently 15 years old and live in the UK. I'm doing my GCSEs right now... My question is, what subjects should I be strong in to become an airline pilot (e.g. what subjects should I take up for A levels). Not only that, I just got some general questions. How long will it roughly take to actually get the job and how long does it take before I get a license to fly a plane. How difficult is the job? Is it very stressful? What's life like as a pilot (I assume that you're constantly flying everywhere so you don't get much time to spend with your family)? Do I require to go university to become an airline pilot? I do want to go to uni but do they have specific courses which is actually beneficial towards becoming an airline pilot. I imagine that Maths is a subject you should be strong at. I'm not great at it nor am I terrible, does this really matter? How much is the pay for a commercial pilot (I know it varies depending on your experience and the airline you work for but if anyone can give rough but realistic examples)? Is it actually a job worth doing? I've always liked flying and travelling, and the whole concept of airplanes and airports is very exciting for me so I hope to enter that field. I'm sure that I'd have to go to some sort of aviation school too but it seems very expensive - is it something worth doing? How many sessions will it take before I'm ready to fly an actual aircraft? Any other useful information is appreciated... Thanks

• Answer:

  Answers to your questions.. How to become a commercial airline pilot? I'm currently 15 years old and live in the UK. I'm doing my GCSEs right now... My question is, what subjects should I be strong in to become an airline pilot (e.g. what subjects should I take up for A levels). * English, Maths (not the easiest) Physics, Not only that, I just got some general questions. How long will it roughly take to actually get the job and how long does it take before I get a license to fly a plane. * as with people newly qualified in an industry.. 9 months to a year + to land your first flying job. * Licence can take as little as 8 months.. Until as long as it takes you to pay for it How difficult is the job? Is it very stressful? * Job has its ups and downs, can be stressful in difficult flying situations What's life like as a pilot (I assume that you're constantly flying everywhere so you don't get much time to spend with your family)? * Depends what type of pilot you are.. An international pilot yeah, will be lots of terminals and hotel rooms * A domestic/regional pilot will get to go home at the end of most shifts Do I require to go university to become an airline pilot? I do want to go to uni but do they have specific courses which is actually beneficial towards becoming an airline pilot. * Some places yeah.. Not familiar with the UK but.. * you dont need one in Australia * Required in the Philippines I imagine that Maths is a subject you should be strong at. I'm not great at it nor am I terrible, does this really matter? * the method of thinking is very similar to that of a maths problem.. You always think in a procedure.. whats next??..... Musicians also have a very similar method of thinking.. * you also need to use this 'method of thinking' during flight planning process, and during your theory studies when you do things like.. Calculate the beginning of daylight How much is the pay for a commercial pilot (I know it varies depending on your experience and the airline you work for but if anyone can give rough but realistic examples)? * entry level expect to make less than someone at McDonalds.. $20,000 a year * Retirement level.. $200,000 + as an airline captain.. Is it actually a job worth doing? I've always liked flying and travelling, and the whole concept of airplanes and airports is very exciting for me so I hope to enter that field. * if your like aeroplanes yeah.. Only people who succeed in aviation are the ones who actually want to fly.. * but being a pilot isn't that great... at times I'm sure that I'd have to go to some sort of aviation school too but it seems very expensive - is it something worth doing? How many sessions will it take before I'm ready to fly an actual aircraft? * if you want to fly for a living then yeah.. If your not too keen on it don't bother, Only people who succeed are the ones who actually want to.. * You will fly a real aircraft on your first lesson Additional Details And at what sort of age will I be ready to actually get a job for a commercial airline company? Like on average... any pilots out there? * Average is mid to late 20's / Early 30's if your experience is commensurate with age.. (entering between the ages of 20-25) And will aviation training through the military be a cheaper alternative to flight school? * I did not go thru military training.. But ive heard its practically free.. But very VERY hard to get into Further information: * Be prepared to pay hard earned money to keep your skills current, especially when your not working as a pilot and your employer doesn't pay for it.. * GA is sure to bleed you dry when you are trying to save for that instrument rating.. * Constant studying.. It never ends, expect to prove why you want to be a pilot at least once a year.. * Expect to be very frustrated when you have just spend 1000's of $$$ and cant find a job * Expect to take extra care of yourself to keep your medical current * Expect to be staying at home studying for an exam, renewal, resting for flight etc.. , when your friends are out partying because they can (not pilots)