Time To Take Off?

Despite setbacks such as the tragically avoidable B737 MAX accidents, and the collapse of Thomas Cook, Boeing’s research indicates that demand for commercial pilots−both fixed wing and rotary−will continue to grow over the next twenty years.

ATOs are still seeing steady or increasing demand from people wishing to learn to fly commercially, and from airlines wanting to employ the newly-qualified pilots (see our industry survey on page 50).

However, demand is one thing and supply is another, and taking the step of committing very significant amounts of money, time and effort to a commercial career is still a huge decision and one that must not be taken lightly. Things to research include which route to go−integrated or modular, where to train−UK or overseas, and which school(s) to include in your training. Only you can decide which route is best for you and we have examples of people who have taken both routes in the ‘Go Commercial’ feature pages following this introduction. Wherever you decide to start, however, the first thing you must do is to get an EASA Class 1 medical. If you cannot meet the stringent requirements for that, then your commercial career will be over before it has begun−but, crucially, before you have laid out any serious money.