[OlliAllen]

Hi,
I’m currently in y11 of Secondary School in the UK. I am doing PPL training at my local flight school. It’s come to the time where I need to choose a sixth form/college, my current school has a sixth form that’s one of the best in the UK with a 100% pass rate.
My tutors are encouraging me to do further Maths and physics and maybe more sciences or even a language as currently I’m at a grade 8-9 (A-A*)
However, in Newark, there is a new college opened up called ‘IASTI’ and it focuses on aviation studies, although I’m not sure if it’s right as I believe it focuses on PPL theory and I’ve already completed this.
The problem is it over an hours drive away and I won’t be able to drive for the first 6 months of the course.
The overall goal is to become an airline pilot
I’m unsure what to do and would appreciate any advice please!

[TopCat]

Ok, year 11, so you've got GCSEs next summer. Do you like maths and science? Are you aiming at 8 or better in them too?

If so, I totally agree with your tutors. If you're academically minded, and take reasonably easily to maths and physics, the CPL studies, when you come to them, will be easy (although still requiring a lot of work) without having to do a specialist aviation course, and getting proper maths and science qualifications will give you more options in life.

And those options may become very important if you have to fund your own ATPL training, as you may need a job that demands those proper qualifications.

[UncleT]

Looking at the IASTI website, it says that the courses they offer are level-three technical qualifications, equivalent of two A-levels. From what you have written as your current/projected grades, it would seem that you will be capable of achieving more than that.

My recommendation (which you are free to ignore) would be to focus on getting a higher number of good A-levels in relevant subjects. This will set you up better for the future, be that as a pilot or ultimately in another career.

[LapsedRinger]

Hi,
My tutors are encouraging me to do further Maths and physics and maybe more sciences or even a language as currently I’m at a grade 8-9 (A-A*)

Sounds like good advice

Have a look at this webpage

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/ ... rogrammes/

Some of the programmes are only for students from under-represented backgrounds or from Schools that don't have the same record of achievement as yours seems to have, but I believe that the Maths and Further Maths on-line programmes have in recent years had spaces available to A level students from all backgrounds.

Getting into one of a handful of universities that require the very best A level grades opens many, many doors, in my experience.

I hope the Mods don't consider this to be unacceptable advertising.

[JAFO]

If I was 16 again - oh Lord that's a long time ago - I would work hard in Sixth Form to get the best grades that I could to go to the best university I could and to join the University Air Squadron while I was there. Their main role is to attract ambitious and intelligent students into a career as an RAF officer, but joining doesn’t necessarily mean you have to join the RAF. As well as specialist training and the chance to fly, you will learn valuable leadership and team-building skills.

Of course, if you really do want to join up, you could apply for a bursary of several thousand pounds a year while at university.

[Spooky]

Go to your school’s sixth form and get some proper A-levels. Anyone can become a commercial pilot through the usual routes, but it’s important to have backup studies of value that you can use elsewhere in case the dream doesn’t materialise.