Pilots and GCSEs

[mosc7pc2]

Hello

I have a friend whose son is at the age of choosing what to take for his GCSEs. He has the ambition of becoming a pilot when he's grown up. Basically the parents want to know if there are any "must have" GCSEs in order to become a pilot.

I myself have no idea so I thought I would post the question on here and pass on any useful informations you guy may have.

If you have any other useful tips in order to become a pilot that would be useful as well!

Thanks in advance.
mosc7pc2

[Zad]

The best place to go is probably the PPRuNe forum http://www.pprune.org/forums/index.php

There is a huge amount of info there. They can also make PH look like a paragon of modesty and calm at times

[hidetheelephants]

Does your friend have £70k he is willing to invest in junior's training? That's basically what obtaining a fATPL will cost. Being a commercial pilot needs maths and physics, but more AS level than GCSE.

[mph1977]

at GCSE it's more a case of not shutting the door on things, so Maths, English and double award if not triple / seperate Sciences plus the rest to make up the 9/0/11 normal for his school.

[ninja-lewis]

From the recent BA Future Pilot Programme:

• 7 GCSEs grade C or above, including Maths, English and a Science subject (single or dual award) at GCSE grade B or above, and
• 3 A levels at grades BBC or above (note General Studies may not be used towards this requirement), or –
• An Honours Degree at 2:1 or above where either of the lower education requirements are not met.

Frankly, aim to get into a good university. That way he meets the academic requirements to become a pilot, and at the same time keeps his career options open should the pilot dream fall through for whatever reason (aptitude, fitness, economic, financial).

[mosc7pc2]

Thanks to those who have replied. All very useful information so far. I shall pass on all the info to my friend. Keep the answers coming!

[hidetheelephants]

ninja-lewis said:

From the recent BA Future Pilot Programme:

• 7 GCSEs grade C or above, including Maths, English and a Science subject (single or dual award) at GCSE grade B or above, and
• 3 A levels at grades BBC or above (note General Studies may not be used towards this requirement), or –
• An Honours Degree at 2:1 or above where either of the lower education requirements are not met.

Frankly, aim to get into a good university. That way he meets the academic requirements to become a pilot, and at the same time keeps his career options open should the pilot dream fall through for whatever reason (aptitude, fitness, economic, financial).

A 2:1 or above? Bit optimistic aren't they? Having perused the website, it's actually a damn fine deal; this is the cheapest path to an fATPL since BA closed their Ab Initio scheme in 2000. Almost tempted to put in a cheeky application myself; the upper age limit is 55!

Edited by hidetheelephants on Monday 6th February 04:30