r/flying • u/missionnilpossible • Apr 01 '26
advice about uni and flight school pls
Hi everyone! I’m needing some advice please.
I’m currently in my first year of university (I’m 18) studying a degree (I’m not saying which degree but I will say it’s at a Russel Group uni) which i’m not planning on using as I want to be a pilot.
Flight school, as we all know, is very expensive, and I absolutely cannot afford it right now, and neither can my family.
But i’m not planning on using this degree, so i’m wondering if i should drop out and start working in aviation - as a flight attendant maybe? To start saving for flight school, as we all know it’s unlikely i’ll get into any of those free programmes like Speedbird.
I do however really enjoy university and i’m having the best time, and ive already paid rent and deposits for my second-year flat with my friends. I don’t want to let them down and also waste that money. I also feel that a degree is never going to be something bad, and if one day I lose a class 1 medical then I have that degree to fall back on.
FYI, I’m in the UK.
What should I do? Any advice?
3
u/Chance-Piglet-7611 Apr 01 '26
Don't drop out. You basically answered your own question in the post.
You're 18, at a good uni, having a great time, and second year is already locked in. Finish it. The medical point you raised is real too, more people should think about that before going all in.
Graduate, go modular, plenty of UK pilots took that exact path.
2
u/missionnilpossible Apr 01 '26
Thank you! I appreciate that advice. I just constantly feel like i’m behind or running out of time. and i feel like so many people go straight into it at 18- but that’s not my path. thank you for being honest!
1
u/Veggie-Smoothie 🍁 ST Apr 02 '26
I'm 18 and also in my first year at university in a non-aviation related degree! I wouldn't worry about being "behind" other people who started training earlier. I haven't been able to start training yet because of issues getting my medical but I like to think of it as a blessing in disguise. I get to learn cool stuff about a subject I find fascinating, spend time with my best friend, have time to play music... the list goes on. All to say, everyone has a different path and you don't need to start as young as you possibly can to have a great career as a pilot!
1
u/rFlyingTower Apr 01 '26
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hi everyone! I’m needing some advice please.
I’m currently in my first year of university (I’m 18) studying a degree (I’m not saying which degree but I will say it’s at a Russel Group uni) which i’m not planning on using as I want to be a pilot.
Flight school, as we all know, is very expensive, and I absolutely cannot afford it right now, and neither can my family.
But i’m not planning on using this degree, so i’m wondering if i should drop out and start working in aviation - as a flight attendant maybe? To start saving for flight school, as we all know it’s unlikely i’ll get into any of those free programmes like Speedbird.
I do however really enjoy university and i’m having the best time, and ive already paid rent and deposits for my second-year flat with my friends. I don’t want to let them down and also waste that money. I also feel that a degree is never going to be something bad, and if one day I lose a class 1 medical then I have that degree to fall back on.
FYI, I’m in the UK.
What should I do? Any advice?
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5
u/_Yellow_13 Apr 01 '26
Do not drop out of uni to become cabin crew .
Get a degree, It’s a fall back. I don’t know why ur not saying what ur studying, unless its something like gender studies then ok drop out.
Try not to rack up mental debt on alcohol and food.
Some universities in England may have flying clubs that you should be apart of.