Seeking for a sponsorship with no flight experience

[bakerin]

I am a 17-year-old aspiring pilot from the UK. I have a strong passion for aviation and want to know if it's possible to get a sponsorship from an airline to help me become a pilot. I am not limited to the UK and am open to moving / living anywhere in the world if it can increase my chances. I understand that this may be an unrealistic possibility, given I have no previous flying experience, but I'm willing to work hard and take on any challenge to make my dream a reality. I've done some research and found that some airlines do offer sponsorship programs, but they often require some sort of flying experience or qualifications (I have all A*s in GCSE, soon to be A-Levels too, but nothing in regards to flying). I'm open to any advice or suggestions on how I can start my journey towards becoming a pilot. I've considered taking flying lessons and working towards obtaining a PPL, but with the costs being so high I'm unsure whether it's worth doing with no guarantee of future employment. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through / is going through a similar experience or knows more about sponsorship opportunities for aspiring pilots not only in the UK but worldwide. I'm not fortunate enough to afford to pay for flight school with the costs ranging from £70,000 all the way up to £130,000, however I do not want that to stop me. Thank you in advance for your help.

[Arena_33]

Scholarships are few and far between. Use your A-Levels when you get them to get a decent paying job, fund flying through savings and a loan towards the end if needed. 99% of people go through flying training with no guarantee of employment so don't let that deter you. All the best

[bakerin]

Could it be as simple as getting a loan for flight school and paying it back when I become a pilot, and just securing the loan to a property? My main concern with that would be that I'm not sure whether flight schools will guarantee employment after graduation or not, thanks.

[pug]

For any zero to hero scheme, whether self funded (99.9% of the time this is the case) or that very rare sponsorship that may or may not raise its head again in the future, you would significantly improve your chances by at least having some flying background, perhaps working towards a PPL, or look one of the scholarships for PPL flight training that are available to people your age. Also consider uni, do anything that might get you a decent backup career (and money to spend on training), perhaps look at joining a University Air Squadron which will offer you a pretty solid grounding for a career in military or civilian aviation and would be something good to talk about at interviews.

By all means hold out for scholarships but be prepared to pay lots if not. Do not be put off, it is doable, particularly if you get a good job in your 20’s as arena33 says, and be careful about other financial commitments.

[sudden twang]

A very eloquent opening post.
I can’t help thinking however that there is something strange about it.
Many here will have been in the same position as you and will have had the same desires. Where perhaps they differ from you is that they will have found a way to get flying no matter what.
A career in aviation would have been the dream but getting airborne now would have been an all consuming need.
Not intended to be accusatory in any way I’m just curious. I wish you the best of luck.

[bakerin]

That is why I am here, because I am strongly passionate about flying and it's what I want to do no matter what (having my father, and grandfather being pilots) and having grown up around such background. I just have not had the chance to get any real experience until now, just hoping to get any insights.

[bakerin]

I mean the flight school will take me regardless of my experience I'd assume (because I am paying upwards of $100,000 in some cases), I think it is just the case of securing a job afterwards. I've heard in North America there is a great shortage of pilots, maybe that would be worth looking into? Like I mentioned I am open to living anywhere around the world to maximize my chances.

[bafanguy]

I can’t help thinking however that there is something strange about it.
Many here will have been in the same position as you... Where perhaps they differ from you is that they will have found a way to get flying no matter what.

Not intended to be accusatory in any way....

The OP is a 17 y/o kid. He's asking his first questions about how to get into the profession. What's "strange" about that ? He's just now getting started. How else would you expect him to start his journey ? He may not even know what questions to ask.

He's trying to find his "way". He's just trying to understand a complex and puzzling subject.

Your response to him is in fact "accusatory".

It's unfortunate he came here for answers to his first questions.

Hang in there, Bakerin. Keep asking questions.

[sudden twang]

I can see how you think that bafanguy.

As I said the opening post was very well written but most 17 year old aspiring pilots I’ve met get flying somehow rather than state they’re waiting for sponsorship and job offer first.

Im certain a pilot selector would look for evidence of a motivation to fly to back up statements.

Heres hoping the OP rather than feeling affronted wonders why I found the post strange thinks it through and benefits from it.

If however the OP would like to PM me I’ll share a snippet of information that should be music to their ears.

btw how do you know it’s a “he” ?

[rudestuff]

Someone else who wants to be a pilot but doesn't want to work for it...

[Speed_Trim_Fail]

The best advice is to get a profession or trade, train in a modular capacity (and NETWORK as you do!) and then you will likely end up in a job or, worst case, looking for a job with a stable and secure income. Modular is also significantly cheaper than integrated.

A lot of pilots end up redundant at some point due to the cyclical nature of the industry; having something you can easily fall back on that isn’t aviation related is a massive plus, I know at 17 “it won’t happen to me” but believe me it does, and the ability to shrug and speak to an old colleague and be back earning decent wages is solid gold. It also means you aren’t one of the people who have never worked outside of aviation so either lose touch with what is “normal” in a job and moan all the time or, worse, will sell your grandmother to sit RHS because that’s all you can do and you don’t value your skills or time.

I have met a number of modular and integrated students over the years, I am pleased to say I helped a number get jobs in some small ways, and have helped mentor others, but the key thing is here that starting out with no “base” in the industry is incredibly hard compared to being a bit older, a bit more experienced with more than a wet CPL to offer - a number of young people I met had basically no idea that airlines outside of RYR, EZY and BA existed. It’s also massively appreciated by a Captain and the whole operation when things go a tad awry and you have an FO who has had enough life experience to be able to easily sort hotels, taxis, generally chivvy and manage people.

A final point - a decent trade or profession will also give you a lot to talk about at interview, where they’ll be looking for a demonstrated professional attitude and experience working under pressure.

[Less Hair]

A good way to get things going might be just starting to fly: Get a medical, learn glider flying, maybe instructing and work your way up the ladder. Investing time and work hours can make up for lack of funds. This will prove to any possible sponsors later on that you are able to fly, learn and continue a successful career.Wishing you all the best and great intro.
If you have a chance to join a university, any engineering degree will be helpful for future airline careers. The other option is to have the military fund your flying education part-time as a reservist (ROTC style) or full time for some years. And have some plan B at hand if your health makes a pilot career impossible.

[bakerin]

Hi, I can see how it may look like I am waiting for everything to come to me, but this is simply not the case. I just haven't got a good idea where to start, my dad recommended this site to me, (he learned to fly around 30 years ago so things were presumably different back then). I will definitely PM you shortly and I hope for the best, thank you for the reply.

[bakerin]

Hello, I can see where you're coming from but this is not the case. I'd appreciate if you refrained from commenting something like this as there is a lot of good information in here and your comment does not contribute, all the best and have a good day.

[bafanguy]

I am a 17-year-old aspiring pilot from the UK. I have a strong passion for aviation... I understand that this may be an unrealistic possibility [sponsorship]... but I'm willing to work hard and take on any challenge to make my dream a reality. I'm open to any advice or suggestions on how I can start my journey towards becoming a pilot.

I'll take him at his word. It appears he's just asking about the first logical place where it would be advantageous for him to start...not being lazy and looking for a handout.

Keep asking questions, bakerin.

[rudestuff]

I am a 17-year-old aspiring pilot from the UK.... I'm not fortunate enough to afford to pay for flight school with the costs ranging from £70,000 all the way up to £130,000, however I do not want that to stop me.
Of course you don't have £70k - you're 17.
The question is are you prepared to work for it? Because there's 99.9% chance that is what you will have to do. It doesn't even have to be that much - you can still get a CPL in the UK for £50k and in the US for a lot less than that.

Here's the secret: Study hard. Get a job. Get a credit card and build your credit. Get a weekend job. Get an evening job. Don't drink, smoke or shag. Live at home and save every penny.

In 1 year you'll have a PPL.
In 2 years you'll have half the money and a credit rating that will let you borrow the rest.
In 3 years you'll be looking for your first job as a commercial pilot just as your mates are graduating Uni with a worthless degree.

It's a simple as that. But it's not easy. You're 17. You won't listen to any of that ****. You'll spend your PPL money on a new car. You'll get drunk, sleep in every day, get some tart pregnant and throw your life away. You'll end up in a dead end job wishing everything had been different. Then in 20 years you'll be back here posting in the 'Am I too old? thread...😜

[Cabotage]

Hi Bakerin, welcome to PPRunE. A quick lesson in life and particularly this industry - ignore all of the haters.

Regarding your question. Everyone you speak to (including me!) will have had a different experience. Different generations of pilots will have gone through different paths and journeys to reach this profession.

I think you need to sit down and speak to your parents. Can they afford to fund you? Are you able to get a small job to also get some funds together?
Don't go wasting £100,000+ by doing the training in the UK. Go abroad and do it. There are a few excellent schools in Poland which offer the whole training for less than 50,000 EUR (less than £45,000)! They also offer the courses so you can obtain a UK license (don't go for EASA training unless you have an EU passport... thank you Brexit). Don't forget you'll need some extra money for living costs (rent, food, etc) but Poland is very cheap!

But no matter where you go, here's my biggest piece of advice to you. Always have a bit more money than you actually need. You may need to do an extra lesson here or there, buy equipment (headset, books), etc.

Don't bother with sponsorships.

[ShyTorque]

Having come from a background where there was no money for flying, my ambition was to fly, from the day my father took me to Farnborough Airshow (when I was five years old and it was a proper airshow). It made me want to fly military hardware. Not an easy path to tread, but having put all my efforts into gaining a place, after a couple of large hiccups, I succeeded in getting accepted as a pilot.

Have you considered the military?

[bakerin]

Have you considered the military?[/QUOTE]

Hey thanks for the advice it is seriously appreciated, as for the military it’s not something that would be my first choice in regards to flying, but flying is still the end goal. My eyesight is not great (just enough to obtain a class 1 by the skin on my teeth), and correct me if I am wrong but isn’t near perfect eyesight needed to fly in the military / army? My current prescription for my amblyopia is -4.5. Thank you again.

[bakerin]

Hey, I’ve been told by a lot of people to instead go the modular route, due to up to now me having no notable flying experience. I previously mentioned that going to a school was not possible in my situation, however I’ve been told by my dad (former captain) that it is something that is very possible and they can help to make it happen if it is what I am serious about (I am!). I just wondered what your take was or anyone reading this in my scenario? Appreciated.

[redsnail]

The flying experience before starting full time is largely irrelevent. If your father is a former captain, he should have some good advice.
As you're finding out, there are many ways to getting a licence. Believe it or not, that's the easy bit. Getting a decent job afterwards is a lot harder.

Right now, work hard on those A levels. Don't damage your health. Consider going gliding. If you can find a part time job, do that and start saving every penny you can.

Rudestuff has given some good advice.

Very few of us have wealthy parents to write a cheque of +£100K. Therefore, you'll need to generate the funds yourself. There are very limited sponsorship opportunities. Most are for the nationals of Middle East or Far East companies.
If you want to go full time, best you get yourself onto a tagged scheme but those places are fiercely competitive. You'll need very strong A levels and probably a decent degree. Don't do aeronautical engineering unless you really want to. If you don't have the money, you'll need a loan, often your parents house will be put up. Make sure they know the risks of that.

If you don't want to go full time or you can't generate the extortionate amount of money they cost, you'll go modular aka part time. Significantly cheaper and very importantly you can time when you finish to ensure your instrument rating is fresh. That is a perishable skill! However, there are add ons that do cost. The MCC and now the UPRT. You'll probably have to cough up for a rating.

My personal opinion is that a prospective pilot should work doing anything before signing up for flight school. Firstly, you'll learn the value of your labour (a very underrated value!!), secondly, when you're flying at FL360 and moaning about the state of your crew meal, you'll recall your ****kicker job and realise how lucky you are.

[B2N2]

You are 17 which means you have the luxury of time. Not time to waste but time nonetheless.
Get your advanced education, start flying gliders, start a part time job, save for your PPL then take it from there.
Plan on 6-8 years of hard work and dedication till your first airline job.
You’ll meet people along the way that will be helpful and you’ll meet people along the way that will hinder you.
Make your own decisions accordingly.

[P40Warhawk]

Hey, I’ve been told by a lot of people to instead go the modular route, due to up to now me having no notable flying experience. I previously mentioned that going to a school was not possible in my situation, however I’ve been told by my dad (former captain) that it is something that is very possible and they can help to make it happen if it is what I am serious about (I am!). I just wondered what your take was or anyone reading this in my scenario? Appreciated.

There are many roads leading to Rome.

A way to get there is by gathering information. You have found Pprune. That is an important step. 😄👍.

Second, go watch ALL Air Crash Investigation Seasons.
I started watching those from the first season in 2001.
You can learn really a lot from it.

Get your Highschool Diploma and continue learning a trade. Or a College or Uni Degree. But something useful. Nonetheless, everyone focusses on just Uni degrees, but there is serious money in Manual Trades as well. Do something you really like.

The time you finish, you are around 23 years young.

During that time save up money. Dont spend it on nonsense non related to Aviation.

Hang out in your local Aeroclub. There you will meet also Airline Pilots from whom you can learn and have connections which could help you later to get to the right people.

You can do when you have saved some money go to Poland as suggested before and go step by step for your PPL and further.

Integrated can be nice, but that option is much more expensive. Of course chance to fast track to Ryan Air or Easyjet is bigger, but be prepared that you have to pay for your first Type Rating. 15-35K for your first job.

Or maybe you are lucky and get into the comany I work for and they just bond you.

If you really want it, go for it, but make sure you have a degree or trade which is useful and fun to kill the time towards your first job or in case of Covid where you can fall back on. You dont want to end up with just your Pilots license as that is worth as much as toilet paper outside of aviation. Plenty very experienced Cpts have experienced that themselfes during C19. Nothing else than their thousands of hours as a Pilots and just their Highschool Diploma. Ending up doing unskilled jobs.
Myself included. 4 Jobs just to keep my head above the water. I cannot recommend that to you.

I graduated in 2013 for my F ATPL. No jobs available for unexperienced pilots. Worked 3.5 year as a Flight Attendant on Dash8 Q400 and Airbus A320Fam. Was fun though. In total it took me 4.5 years to get first job on B737 where of course I had to pay for my own rating and HORRIBLE salary in my first summer season I flew for that company.

Then next summer season normal FO Contract and salary. Autumn moved to another company. Flew there 6 months. And then,,,,,,, Covid came around the corner. Lost my job and didnt fly for two years. With just 750 hrs on B737. Covid was passing by slowly but there were about 25000 Jobless pilots in EU Alone and many of them with MUCH more experience than me.
BUT because people I know I got invited in Jan 2022 for an assessment for a Long Haul Job. I was succesful and started the new Type Rating last year and I am already almost 1 year on the Line.
I really love it in this company and am very happy. But Just before this opportunity came along, I was close to giving up and accepting the fact that I would never fly again. But my huge passion pushed me and kept me on it.

Aviation business itself is horrible and violent and extremely sensitive to economic waves. It is one of the first businesses which will be on its @$$.
But when you get to fly, you will really love it. It is an amazing feeling and extremely enjoyable.

Long story short, go for it when you are very passionate, but have a backup so that you do not end up driving vans for Tesco delivering groceries. With all due respect of course.

Good luck and keep us posted.. 😄👍✈️

[bakerin]

Appreciate it brother, means a lot and will definitely take all that into account :)