I'm leaving college soon and always wanted to be a pilot. Is it likely I can get sponsorship with an airline?

Question

I've already been to the RAF about it but they've turned me down due to the fact that I have to wear glasses for being ever-so-slightly short-sighted, and I don't really want to go to university.

Answer 1

Very unlikely. It's extremely competetive and about as hard to get into a sponsored training program as it is to get a flight appointment with the RAF. The only appreciable difference is that you don't need perfect eyesight.

Answer 2

Pilots are a glut on the market...  There are dozens of fully trained and well qualified  applicants for every available job, and airlines have the luxury of rejecting any applicant for the slightest problem.  If the RAF has already turned you down, then don't expect an airline company to pay for your training.

Answer 3

yup, you can easily get a sponsorship. contact CTC Aviation and you could be on the left hand seat of a jet in a year! good luck!

Answer 4

There are at least two airlines that provide ab iniito training, but unfortunately you don't appear to qualify.  From Lufthansa, for example:

Lufthansa, one of the pioneers of the ab initio concept, is actively recruiting candidates for its ab initio training program through the German media. The basic requirements for consideration by Lufthansa are:

    * No previous flight time required.

    * Between 19 and 29 years of age.

    * German bachelor's degree.

    * Military service completed.

    * Comply with physical and eyesight minimums.

    * Permanent German work status.

    * Speak both German and English fluently.

Answer 5

Here in the US most apprentice programs that I know of are set up in advance with the college. My airline has an apprentice program with ERAU(Embry Riddle) and it usually starts in the students last year of school.  I assume you are in Europe so I can't really say what programs are available to you but since you are about to graduate it may difficult to find one now.

Answer 6

Commercial Airline Pilot requirements is that even though you wear glasses, your eyesight is correctable to 6/9 the very least. For fighter pilots, I'm not sure about the eyesight requirements.  

And yes, you can get a sponsorship with an airline. Either wait for an interview/selection or email airline companies about your intention. As long as you pass the selection, the company will send you overseas to pilot training school.(my dad's an instructor). The school is equevilant to that of university.

However, you have to be very sure that you want to be a pilot. Because you cannot quit, once you do, it is very hard to find a job else where. And being a pilot is a short 6 month contract. Every 6 months you will have to go through a medicial checkup, if you fail(they have very high standards), you lose your job immediately.

Answer 7

This might not be an answer you like, but your best bet is to go to a four-year pilot school. Certain pilot colleges will train you, help you get airtime, and set you up with an airline to start out with. Embry Riddle is one of the best known, and has establishments all over. You might like to look at it?

www.erau.edu