Aviation Careers

AndyMinx · Post by **AndyMinx** » 02 Jul 2006, 16:55

Hi everyone,

Well its time to start my career (a decision LONG overdue!)
and I've always wanted to work around aircraft.

Sadly however, I have no degree and my A-levels were not exaclty great.

Does anyone know of any Civil aircraft careers I can undertake?

Cheers,

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 02 Jul 2006, 17:01

Andy,

AFAIK you dont need any A levels to train as a licensed aircraft engineer (i.e. a guy who fixes planes!). A friend of mine did it and I think he really enjoys it. He dropped out of school during his A-levels but as long as you have reasonable GCSEs, an understanding for how things work, rules and regs and good practical abilities then you're in with a shot. Other than that I'm sure theres a fair few careers inside airlines or in airport ops that CB would be best placed to fill you in on.

As for degrees and A levels, I have plenty but no job, so I no longer think thats the answer!

Toby

AndyMinx · Post by **AndyMinx** » 02 Jul 2006, 17:25

Hmmm sounds excellent Toby thanks for that!

Any ideas of how to get into it?

Cheers,

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 02 Jul 2006, 17:47

BA are recruiting cabin crew at LGW. They don't require any extreme academic qualifications, but you may need to invent some customer service experience! The starting pay isn't great, but BA offers excellent in-house opportunities for training and career moves. Most of the good jobs are advertised in-house. And you get to work around a/c while you're looking. And then there are the girls...(or boys, if you prefer

)

http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb ... sudiqpoyyv

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 02 Jul 2006, 18:06

Andy,

I know Virgin take people on and train them from scratch during employment, BA may well do to and know Monarch are looking to recruit 75 engineers (just checked Flight Intl magazine where I found that one and the deadline has just passed

). Worth getting a copy as theres lots of jobs advertised in that.

Other than a trainee scheme with an airline, you can go down the route my friend did and study at a specialist college although there arent many of those left now. It was a two year course with classroom study and hands on work and after that you build up your licences whilst working. Paul (VC10) can probably advise you on this path if Ian (SB591) hasnt turned your head too much with ideas of trolley dollies :drool:

!

Jetset on here is also working in a civil aviation job and dont forget Leif (who is a dispatcher) and CB who is just getting into that line... so lots of expertise on here!

Toby

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 02 Jul 2006, 19:06

TobyVickers wrote:....if Ian (SB591) hasnt turned your head too much with ideas of trolley dollies :drool:

Toby - I was getting myself all excited as well

Ironic, though - reading the job application - after 30 years flying and 13 as a Cabin Service Director on long haul routes with (arguably) one of the World's premier airlines, I realise I can't match the job specs for a Gatwick shorthaul job (even if you take the age factor out). Thank heavens I was born when I was and could retire gracefully

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 02 Jul 2006, 19:13

Not sure precisely how old you are but its something I often hear from people of my dad's generation (who are now in high up positions)... "If I were an applicant today, with my qualifications, I wouldnt give myself an interview" (or words to that effect). Partly its because qualifications are easier (and partly thats because they are broader) and its partly because people get on at school and university more than they used to perhaps :think:

AndyMinx · Post by **AndyMinx** » 02 Jul 2006, 19:38

Hmmmm all sounds interesting.

I think I might just follow some of those leads!

Thanks for your help everyone!

if it prooves fruitless I'll likely sign up for this ICS course I've seen!

Cheers,

Tom Everitt AFG · Post by **Tom Everitt AFG** » 02 Jul 2006, 20:00

I started my career in aviation as a Load Controller at Servisair (or circusair as it may be better known!) and then moving into dispatch. The pay and company wasn't great and it could be really hard work sometimes but it was mostly really good fun. It also provided a stepping stone into the operations side of things, which was equally bad pay and even harder work, but again 90% of the time very rewarding. Now I have a job which I wouldn't give up for anything!

All of this I did without really ever having a career path in mind as my chosen career in the RAF was scuppered by Asthma.

I probably wouldnâ€™t recommend doing things the way I did but something like dispatch will help you decide if aviation is the industry for you.

Tom.

Motormouse · Post by **Motormouse** » 02 Jul 2006, 22:01

TobyVickers wrote:Andy,

AFAIK you dont need any A levels to train as a licensed aircraft engineer (i.e. a guy who fixes planes!). Toby

S'right Toby,but there's a lot more to it than just dusting off spanners... however an A level or degree will give you a headstart
with the maths and science bits which can be darned tricky.

Now then Andy, if its' what you want, you'll first have to decide what level you wish to achieve; under the new euro EASA scheme there are 3 licences, A,B and C.

An A licence is looked upon as semi-skilled, the B licence is the skilled technician,B1 for mechanical, B2 for Avionics, and the C licence is the base maintenance engineer.

In order to train and qualify you'll need to be trained and examined by an institution which has been approved for the task IAW EASA part 147,
you can find a list of approved schools and training establishments here

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categ ... roupid=204

more info on the licences here

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categ ... roupid=196

Incidentally, the Engineering Council recognise a B1 or B2 plus C licence as suitable for registration at the Incorporated Engineer status, which,I am reliably informed is the same as for a 'first' degree (whatever that is )

Hope this helps

ttfn

Pete

(I've just finished converting my 'old' UK CAA entitlements to their new shiney EASA equivalents of A,B1 and C, so if you need any more help feel free to send me a pm)