Flight paths

So now that I've made that, mental commitment, there are several different paths I can take to reach the flight deck.  For those with zero to little flying experience, you can apply for courses direct with flight schools or airline companies, however with the latter you must have the right to work in the country where that airline (HQ) is based.  Both options will test you on maths and pilot aptitude tests.  With applications direct to airlines, they will most likely also test you on science, aviation questions and company knowledge.

If you are applying to flight school, you can apply for a course at different stages, depending on your requirements (experience).  For me personally I would have to start from little flying experience, so a course which teaches you from the beginning.  While learning about the different courses, I also found out why it has been difficult revising for my PPL (Private Pilot's license) whilst working in a stressful full time job and trying to balance your social life.  Though the seven papers required to be passed are multiple choice, the information a student is required to learn is A LOT, and this is why flight schools offer Ground school - to help teach you the theory required to pass.  For the courses I am currently looking at, they assigned 26 weeks of study for theory before you even step foot into an aircraft to start physical training.  Ok, now I don't feel so bad having not sat my exams, yet!  And that's just the beginning as you have to learn to fly on a small aircraft before gradually building up both your flying hours and size of aircraft.  If your head is not spinning yet, you also have to take into account all the jargon used within the industry whilst also trying to fund this whole training process, a process which takes if studying full time, on average two years to complete.

Airlines used to pay to train their pilots, however due to economy, many no longer do this.  Keep in mind that those airlines which still do, you can only apply if you have the right to work in that country.  So options can be very limited, though not impossible.

If you do decide to take that leap, and is not the lucky few which get a full airline funding for your training, you will have to keep in mind that due to the costs involved, that to take out a loan will require some form of backing.  For the majority, this is where the conversation with the parents start with the a (very British) cup of tea!  There are specialist banks out there which cater for this specific niche loan market, so like everything else do your research to find out what suits you.  That and I'm not a financial advisor so cannot comment further.  For my own personal finances, let's say it's going to be an interesting one when I get onto a course!

So I will end this post with a wise man's inspirational words, and
carry on:
"It always seems impossible until it is done" - Nelson Mandela.