How do I become a commercial jet pilot in he UK?please can you tell me step by step as i dont have a clue tx

Question

I realy dont have a clue how to become a pilot so can someone please help.

what i mean is:

1. what degree do i need (is uni compulsory)

2. what education do i need

3. how much money will i need

4. how do i build up to become a full commercial jet pilot

many thanks

Answer 1

You have four ways of doing this, however, they all require at least 5 GCSEs, 2 A-Levels and preferably 1 degree (although this is not essential).

Option 1 is to join the RAF, as long as your health and eyesight is amazing. This is free, as they pay you to train. If you want to join the RAF, ring them from the number on their website, under 'Careers'.

Option 2 is to do each licence seperatley. There are 3 licences you will need: PPL (Private Pilot Licence), CPL (Commerical Pilot Licence) and ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence). You can start work on your PPL at the age of 17. You can then do each licence separately, in your own time, and the price will vary. It can be around £30,000, and take around 2-4 years. This is a good option if you have a job and want to study as pilot, you can work your study around the job. Also, the job can pay for your study! To do it this way, contact your local aviation school (at your nearest airport).

Option 3 is the most expensive, although the most rigorous. You will spend 18 months learning everything on how to be a pilot. This will cover ALL of your licences in 18 months. It will also cost. This option is around £60,000. It is viewed as the best sort of training. If your airline empolyer sees that you have trained using this method, they may choose you over someone that has taken Option 2. See the Option 3 source below.

Option 4 is to gain sponsorship from an airline. This is very difficult to do, especially after 9/11. This is where you take the 18-month course, but the airline sponsors you to take the course (they pay most of the £60,000), only if you take a career with them after your training. This was the most popular option, although competition was fierce.  However, within the last few years some airlines have stopped doing this. Although it looks like easyJet have continued with it, again, see below.

After you have gained an ATPL, you can join an airline as a first officer (co-pilot). It then takes many (some airlines want 1000s) of flight hours with you, before you can be promoted to Captain.

I have researched this long and hard, as you can see. I myself intend to embark on Option 3, after gaining a Degree in Physics or Mathematics (not essential, but it helps). However, first, I must finish high school, and gain my GCSEs.

If you or anyone else has any queries as to aviation pilot training, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

4 years of University and about $50,000 to $60,000 and you should have your ATP license.