Looking for a Career change ?

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Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 4

I have looked through and cannot see a similar thread ( sorry if this question has been asked alot )

I am currently a 28 year old Train Driver but have always wanted to be an Airline Pilot I have looked through the Intenet to see if it is possible but find it very confusing.

All i want to know is , is it possible ?

What do I have to do ?

How much of a salary drop would I have to take ? I am currently on £40,000 Basic with Overtime £50,000 - £55,000

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Yes it is possible, but it's not so much the salary drop, but the fact that you will almost certainly end up funding your own training.

Others, far more knowledgeable than I will be along shortly to explain.

Moggy

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,324

Of course it is possible to have a carrier change. All it takes is the will, and a lot of money:eek:

To begin with, I would suggest an aptitude test organized by GAPAN. It could safe you a lot of money to know before hand if you have what it takes. Further information can be found on this website:
http://www.gapan.org/career-matters/careers-information/aptitude-tests/

If you decide to go for it, you would be looking at something like 60-70.000 pounds in costs for a licence with basic ratings on it. And there will be no guarantee of a job afterwards. Some airlines have been offering sponsorship of the training. I know Flybe and Air Atlantique have been offering these kind of sponsorships up until recently, don´t know the situation know. I would check these if I were you.

Salary wise, it is very difficult to say with any certainty. A flight instructor would be very badly paid, a first officer on a regional turbo prop would probably be earning about 20-25.000 pa.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,389

With all seriousness watch Flight 666 the Iron Maiden Documentary it is rather good but it also gives you a cracking look at their 757 but in it Bruce lets you know a little about flying ie he was very bright by his own admission and how he did what it took to get his academics up to scratch.

If you want it you got to work hard and go get it.

Forget the aptitude test and go for it. Do what it takes. You CAN do it.

Obviously take any aptitude tests that air schooling requires you to take and any that potential employers want you to take.

Go for it.

http://www.ironmaiden.com/images/plane/2008-02-25_MROC_G-OJIB_02.jpg

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

If you do go the self-funded route make sure you can support yourself and your family for 2 years, and after because gaining back your old job is tough, plus any additonal costs to get your foot in the door such as MEP/IR hours.

Personally on that salary, I'd stick with train-driving :eek: