Please shed some light for me

[PhiLep]

I'm a student in Victoria, Australia currently in year 10 going on to year 11. I am 16 years old.

 

I'm interested in becoming an airline pilot. Money and time are not a problem.

 

I just have some questions,

 

- Which subjects should I do in year 11/12 VCE?

 

- What is the difference between a Certificate IV in aviation and a "Bachelor of applied science in aviation" or a "Diploma in Aviation"?

 

- What are the advantages/disadvantages of a bachelor, diploma and a certificate? Which one should I aim to get?

 

- I'm short-sighted (Myopia) and I can't read/see things clearly that are distant. My vision is not in the legal driving limit so I have to wear corrective lenses (which make my eye sight perfect) when I drive. How will my short-sightedness/Myopia effect my chances of becoming a pilot? Are you allowed to wear corrective lenses when you work as a pilot or are people with Myopia not allowed to become pilots?

 

- What is the pay like?

 

- I don't know anything about this APL stuff that I've heard people talking about, Can someone please explain the full process of becoming a pilot and what the APL means?

 

- What has being a pilot been like for you personally? Advantages/Disadvantages?

 

- How likely is it that I will find a job with an airline?

 

I've been looking for these answers and can't seem to find any so I thought that an Australian forum for Pilots would be a good place to find the answers that I'm after.

 

Thank you for anyone that is able to help me.

 

 

[Guest aviatrix27]

Hi and welcome.

 

I'm a private pilot, so can't answer a lot of your questions, but there will be others who can.

 

The one I can answer straight away is that your Myopia should not be a problem.

 

Perhaps you should talk to Sharp (or is it Sharpe?) Airlines, based at Hamilton in Western Vic. I know one of our members on this website has recently joined their cadet programme and is working towards his ATPL.

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

 

[Mattie Cribb]

Gday PhiLep

 

I think i might be able to help with some question..I hope

 

Which subjects should I do in year 11/12 VCE?

 

Well the subjects you need are the 3 normal which is Maths(some high level) in NSW its Mathermatics 2Unit was above General Maths so not sure how VIC Maths levels are but then the nxt is Physics and english so they are the main subjects that will help

 

- What is the difference between a Certificate IV in aviation and a "Bachelor of applied science in aviation" or a "Diploma in Aviation"?

 

Im not to sure about this question. But most thingys are starting to become a uni degrees but yeah im not sure of the difference maybe just the location as in Uni and not at Uni haha im not sure...see i have been enrolled into a Advanced Diploma of Air Transport so i think its just the name.

 

- What are the advantages/disadvantages of a bachelor, diploma and a certificate? Which one should I aim to get?

 

Im not to sure but i know with the grittith Uni course your first years are doing like buisness side of stuff but yeah thats a hard one..

 

- I'm short-sighted (Myopia) and I can't read/see things clearly that are distant. My vision is not in the legal driving limit so I have to wear corrective lenses (which make my eye sight perfect) when I drive. How will my short-sightedness/Myopia effect my chances of becoming a pilot? Are you allowed to wear corrective lenses when you work as a pilot or are people with Myopia not allowed to become pilots?

 

As K said above this is no worries im sure the only rule is that you gotta be able to see so glasses arnt a problem.

 

- What is the pay like?

 

Well Pay is great but varies between airlines for a regional airline your looking around $40,000+ but for major airline F/O is around $70,000+ but as i said it varies but captain is were the good money is at haha

 

- I don't know anything about this APL stuff that I've heard people talking about, Can someone please explain the full process of becoming a pilot and what the APL means?

 

Ok by APL do you mean ATPL it stands for Airline Transport Pilots Licence you really need it if you want to be captain or work on major airlines but for small RPT its not really needed but is good to have but becoming a pilot is Easy its getting a job which can be difficult but first you must get GFPT that allowes you to fly 10NM from the aerodrome or the training area. then there is PPL which allows you to fly as Pilot in command with in australia for private operations only (not getting paid to do it) then you have CPL commercial and you have to pass 7 theory exams and then yeah you have ATPL for another 7 Exams but yeah i hope that makes sence

 

- What has being a pilot been like for you personally? Advantages/Disadvantages?

 

Well i will start with the disadvantages which is really only Money..Eveything to do with flying is $$ but other then that is a Great rewarding Career if you wish to persue it!! so many people say they want to fly and im happy to say that i Can!! haha

 

- How likely is it that I will find a job with an airline?

 

Aviation is Very Very compeditive! but its really all about experience. But getting a job hmm it could be easy it could be hard it really depends on the economy..(i think) but yeah its hard to say but Instructors are in demand becase of all these uni courses and stuff.

 

But yeah i hope these help somewhat i may be wrong is some places and someone can correct me on that. I have been accepted in to sharp airlines as a Cadetpilot its something worth looking at if you wish to get into the airlines. also Best to start while your young just go to a local school just research first to find good prices and quality of the training and then just book a TIF see how you like it and then book ya first lesson ! i have been flying for 3 years now and LOVE IT!!

 

Mattie

 

haha i may have made a few spelling mistakes im sorry :)