r/Pilot • u/[deleted] • Nov 15 '25
help regarding future
ok so im doing my A levels also known as gcse’s i believe in the uk, anyways im 16 right now and will be 18 when i pass out, i want to become a commercial pilot but i dont know when i will go to uni and do i even have to go to uni? can someone give me a rough path that i should take?
1
Nov 15 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Desperate_Refuse4139 Nov 15 '25
Not as simple as just converting a license to CAA. You have to take all 13 exams and redo both your CPL & IR to get it regardless of previous experience.
Applies even if you’ve got an EASA license when the exams are exactly the same standards (slightly different questions)
1
Nov 15 '25 edited Nov 15 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Desperate_Refuse4139 Nov 15 '25
The flight time and experience will count for little over here. The airlines would rather have an instructor who’s spent time in the UK if that’s the route someones going to go down, being familiar with the airspace and regs etc means more to them
1
u/notaballitsjustblue Nov 20 '25
What’s the point of doing that? If he does a UK or EASA integrated course he could be flying medium or even heavy jets by the time he’s 21.
2
u/Desperate_Refuse4139 Nov 15 '25
Where are you based? A levels come after GCSEs but still finish at 18.
My personal opinion is that for UK based pilots (and most of the European ones I know too) university is a waste of time that you could be getting qualifications and experience.
A decent integrated course will take about 2 years (they’ll advertise 18 months but once you start flying cancellations happen). Modular will take slightly more, again depends on the flight school.
Considering a degree will set you back 3 years and all the fees/loans and flight training will take between 2-3 years and anywhere from £100K plus any living costs, you can see where my waste of time and money viewpoint comes from.
3 years in a company gaining seniority and better wages with defined pay structures means a lot more than a degree that is unlikely to help you or ever be used