2 answers
Max
Student
Hamburg, Germany
1
Question
Updated
2184 views
How can I start preparing to become an airline pilot?
I'm in grade 8 and would like to know if there's any way I can start preparing already, and what I should be focusing on. Also, is it possible to switch the airline your working for? (I live in germany but am a british citizen and would like to work for ba). Any tips would be appreciated!!
#airlinepilot #pilot #aviation
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2 answers
Paul Caravella
Senior Financial Business Partner
5
Answers
Savannah, Georgia
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Max.
It's easier than you might think. I got my start in aviation by building model airplanes when I was 8 years old. I'm now 58 years old and have been in aviation most of my life, and I love it as much as I did when I was 8.
Get to know the industry and products. There are a lot of great videos on YouTube. Visit an airport and watch aircraft land and take off. Buy a radio scanner (or go to the web) and listen to aircraft radio transmissions. Both of these will introduce you to aircraft operations. Building model airplanes exposes you to aircraft nomenclature. There are some airline podcasts that provide some insight. If it is possible, take a flight in a small aircraft. If not, buy a flight simulator game. All of these are the fun things you can do to help fuel your passion for aviation.
On the technical side, stay in school, do well in math and science. Try to take an aviation course, if it is offered. And don't give up! If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.
It's easier than you might think. I got my start in aviation by building model airplanes when I was 8 years old. I'm now 58 years old and have been in aviation most of my life, and I love it as much as I did when I was 8.
Get to know the industry and products. There are a lot of great videos on YouTube. Visit an airport and watch aircraft land and take off. Buy a radio scanner (or go to the web) and listen to aircraft radio transmissions. Both of these will introduce you to aircraft operations. Building model airplanes exposes you to aircraft nomenclature. There are some airline podcasts that provide some insight. If it is possible, take a flight in a small aircraft. If not, buy a flight simulator game. All of these are the fun things you can do to help fuel your passion for aviation.
On the technical side, stay in school, do well in math and science. Try to take an aviation course, if it is offered. And don't give up! If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1792
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
If you wanted to really be aggressive in preparation, you could start reading the training manuals for pilots. There will be a lot of technical words to understand, so actually getting to know the terminology and concepts around flight would be an important first step. This will also build your reading level to match what would be needed. Also, I believe there is computer software that you can get started on that simulates real flying conditions. Next, you'll need a certain amount of real flying hours before you can fly for a living, so it'd also be important to find out what's the earliest you can start earning flying hours and what programs will facilitate that. I'm in the United States, so I don't know about UK vs Germany switching, but if you have actual experience flying, I'd imagine it shouldn't be too hard to recertify in a different country if you even needed to in the first place.