The Inside Track is here to help you!

Is there a burning question you'd like to ask about the aviation industry? How do you get a job as airline pilot after college? What is a Type Rating? What kind of work would i be doing? Just drop us a line through the 'Contact Us' form, and we'll answer your questions in this section, using our inside knowledge.

Q. How can I possibly afford flying training; it's all so expensive?

This is a burning question, if not THE question, for budding aviators. Given that a Private Pilot's License usually involves training of around 40-50 hours, it would be unwise to start unless you know that you have access to at least £6000 over the period of time you will be learning. The final cost of training will primarily be determined by your progress on the course, as flying lessons can cost anywhere between £80-£180 per hour (approximately). There will also be some smaller associated costs, such as: books, kneeboard, maps, pens, a flight computer and any other extras you take a fancy to such as flight sims and gadgets.

Commercial License training - that which is required to earn money for flying - is much more expensive, and is extremely variable. As a rough guide though, modular training will tend to cost from £30,000 upwards, while integrated training lurches more towards the £65,000 mark.

Obviously few people have ready access to this kind of money, but fortunately there are a number of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to help you on your way. You'll find some of them on Jetscreen's 'Links' page, but here are some reminders:

Airline Sponsorships: these are far rarer than in the past, but of late the following airlines have part-sponsored students through training: Thomas Cook Airlines, Excel Airways, flybe, GB Airways, Highland Airways, NetJets and Easyjet. Up until 2001, British Airways ran the largest Trainee Pilot scheme in the UK. Sadly this scheme is no longer in existence.

There are sponsorships for trainee pilots still in operation around the world, but these schemes do tend to have strict residency requirements. Find details here: Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Emirates.

Flying Scholarships: full or part-funding towards obtaining your flying or gliding training can be found from many places, including: GAPAN; the Air League; the British Women's Pilot Association; the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets; the Air Cadets; and the British Gliding Association;

Q. What do airline pilots get paid?

The responsibility of commanding and flying a commercial airliner is a huge one, and airline pilot salaries reflect that. As well as the rigorous selection and training that pilots must go through, they must also submit themselves to regular testing both in simulators and the aircraft they operate, as well as during regular medical examinations and technical tests.

Airline pilot starting salaries can be observed anywhere between £18,000 to £44,000 depending upon your level of previous experience. As a general rule, small or regional airlines tend to pay toward the lower end of this scale, while large jet operators tend toward the top end. The maximum salary one could expect would be in the region of just over £120,000 for the job of 747 Captain in the UK.

Recently the UK-based airline flybe has added its pilot salary scales to its website. You can view them by clicking on this link. This will give you an idea about how pilot pay increases with length of service, and the kind of salary you should expect as an airline captain.

Q. Does British Airways still sponsor Trainee Pilots?

Sadly, no. As mentioned above, British Airways used to offer one of the largest sponsorship schemes of its kind. The scheme is detailed in Sam Maybrey's book "How to get a place on an airline pilot training scheme". The scheme offered sponsorship with no initial financial contribution by the trainee pilot, and was thus unique in the UK. Following 9/11, however, the scheme was suspended. It could re-open in the future, as global demand for pilots increases, and you will find any new information at the British Airways Pilot Recruitment Site.

Q. I have flying school or airline selection coming up. How should I prepare?

For this you need to carefully read the Jetscreen Pilot Selection section, while researching your airline/college of choice thoroughly. You should not forget some key areas such as: re-read your CV and/or application form and double check your stated employment and education dates are correct; work on your interview technique including dress, manner, clarity of voice, personal hygiene and question responses; investigate your airline or college's latest news and announcements; and talk with as many aviation professionals as you can about your chosen college or airline, and try to find out both the pros and cons of studying/working there. It should go without saying that you must get your transport and accommodation arrangements sorted out well in advance, including a contingency plan should your first one fail; how will you get to Stansted (for example) if your car breaks down the day before?

Q. I want to go to university/college before I train as a pilot. Is that wise?

This question tends to centre around the area of whether it is sensible to have a 'back-up' plan should something happen during a flying career, or whether a degree would make a pilot candidate more likely to be successful.

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on a number of things including: your education and career to date, your attitude to risk, and whether or not you have a long-term career plan. However, a more simple way to approach the problem is by asking yourself whether a) you want to study to degree level, and b) if you can afford to (assuming you have the exam grades required to be accepted on to the course of your choice).

Becoming a pilot does not require you to be a university graduate (although in some countries some airlines would like you to be) so don't feel it is something you must do. However, if you are passionate about study and are willing to commit the time, effort and money required to become a graduate then go for it! University is hard work, but will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting and enjoyable periods of your life. If you feel it's not for you, or you are not fully committed to the idea then we'd suggest you don't try and force it upon yourself. Without full commitment a degree programme would likely be too much for you to cope with and would lead to problems.

Q. What do pilots do on a long flight?

Plenty! Although modern aircraft have automatic flight control systems (autopilots) there is still a great deal for pilots to do on a long flight. The most fundamental thing to be done is to control the autopilot, using the onboard computer systems. This is essentially telling the autopilot where to go, how fast to fly, and at what heights throughout the journey. Other tasks include watching ahead for inclement weather that should be avoided, checking and marking maps and progress charts, filling in flight plans (these record things like fuel burn, time of arrival at waypoints along the journey) and talking with air traffic control.

Outside the basic operation of the aircraft, pilots will be using their skills and knowledge to look for ways to save time on particular routes, for ways to save money and fuel burn, and for ways to ensure that passengers and crew alike are as safe and comfortable as possible.

Q. What does a co-pilot do? Do they ever fly the aircraft?

Modern passenger aircraft are generally built to have two or more pilots onboard - the rule of thumb being that the longer your journey is the more pilots there will be (so that they can alternate between flying and resting on longhaul trips). At least one of the pilots onboard is a 'co-pilot', or 'First Officer'. These titles mean the same thing. The co-pilot is the person who is second in command of the aircraft after the Captain. Co-pilots are all 'Captains under training' and as such do (contrary to popular belief!!) both fly and land passenger aircraft as part of their day job. The rule of thumb is that pilots alternate doing take-offs and landings and share them out 50/50. Both pilots are qualified to the same high standards by the relevant aviation authorities.

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