Fly Lah!

Hey everyone,

What I'm about to ask is and has been asked over previously(but hell, I'll ask it again cause if I'ma burn down a RM 250k+ (bad timing to go for sponsored cadet i guess; none the less will try) hole in my memory, I'd better not regret it for even a sec; so bear with me, drop me ur opinions (and hope that everyone can benefit one way or another from it)and keep it as friendly as possible and you'll have my up most thanks and gratitude.

Anyway first thing's first:
I'm 23 this year, just bout to finish my degree in engineering and have been eye-ing the aviation industry for quite a long time. I'm almost done with my time in uni and had long plans to fly right after my graduation - I chose to do a degree first as opposed with a friend to go in straight after SPM as I thought back then there was still room for self discovery and development and that the time in uni would help conclude what my life long passion would be.

Anywho, none the less,
I believe its time to fly and I've brought myself up to speed on the industry. It has been discussed over the past months that the aviation industry atm is at a very unappealing state in terms of job prospects with some saying there are over 1000 unemployed pilots sitting at home - dramatising as it is does anyone have any kind of leads or opinion on where the industry will be headed say in the next few years?

Well in short, would going into the industry now even with a degree be a financial/career suicide should I be funding my own private license (grad with fATPL around first quarter 2012). I'm passionate enough to take the risk but if its an absolute financial/career suicide its a different ball game- anyway (MFA july/september intake would be the closest window) well...I know it will be just speculation and unmeasurable and totally up to me by the end of the day but just leave a comment or two what you guys think. Much appreciated.

lolz, so wher will your funding b frm, FAMA? If your parents can take it, go ahead, or just try engineering 1st. Its stable, travels a lot, but the feeling is not the same if u really wanna fly.
engineering would be my career, but my dream still lies in piloting, even though it doesnt look good..

Private funding i guess, partly parents and some from around. None the less, its doable but justifying it is another story. If it were to be my own money and i were to go down on my own financially speaking, I have the conviction of so but the situation is abit more than just that.

Parents that are willing to see this through with me and that they are aware of the odds but with the consequences of not making it in this kind of market demand is more than enough to think twice. Well its obvious that the saying u wont know until u try but its a little different that just that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if anyone has more of a feel or just opinion on the odds of getting into it now as mentioned above. Chances are atm, MFA, APFT and GGIFA (which i am aware of the negative comments)are on the table on the 3rd quarter this year. Any information that may help clarify or opinions are appreciated too.

Any1 signing up for MFA gimme a buzz yeah, looking for accommodations/house mates off campus. Cheers

Dear Oscarwide, I can understand how u hesitate when u come to a cross road whether to proceed to fullfil ur dream or juz lay back and be an ordinary guy.
If it is financial constrain, in the first place, don think about this career bcoz it is an expensive career to choose from....mere 18months to burn up 250K!! But if ur family can afford, then go ahead and make sure that u can graduate with good performance/results bcoz u still need to be really "TOP" or be cream of the crop to secure a job as a pilot.///bear in mind that there r thousands out there still waiting to be selected.

Dear Clement, thank you for the reply, there are a few issues notable here. Well lets just say by spending that kind of money, it wouldnt put the family in debt but just enough to go by a quiet life. Would that fall in as financially irrational? Well its obvious no one has an answer to that :/. Are there hidden costs other than the fuel surcharges and bond with airlines or anything that is of financial significance before landing a job?

Anyway lets be positive for a sec, I guess the key term would be "cream of the crop" so lets focus on that for a while. What does it actually take to qualify near that range if it is quantifiable. Are we talking bout ace-ing all the subjects above the 90th percentile or something, getting letter of recommendations and stuff?

Anyone has any prior experience on the difficulty range and stuff on this manner. I've checked some of the results on DCA and there are occasional fails. Anyone can give something tangible to work on as a measurable objective or some field experiences? Does a degree in engineering help in employment etc etc? I've got a consistent CGPA of around 3.5

Many thanks.

You know what Oscar, you sound like a bright fella and you know what you are going into. I believe most of us here are newbie and have minimal experience in the aviation field. My advice would be to talk to actual commercial pilots. Forget about passing the results as I'm pretty sure if you're serious enough about your dream, it will find you eventually. From your description, your family could afford you flying so I say go ahead! Meanwhile keep and eye on airlines offering jobs. After all, if money is not a factor, what is 18months of training that is well spent? So go ahead!

Dear ellusion, thank you for your kind words and noted on commercial pilots. Well it seems everyone is giving the yellow light - which is either u put ur efforts to full throttle or stop. All the best to ur future endeavours. Lets do this

Anywho~ there is still some time before D-day, but like they all say, you cant be too prepared lol. Well, anyone who can help shed some light on this matter or just wanna have drinks while dropping by Kuching just gimme a buzz. - pm me for contacts.

Dear OscarWilde,

There are many options available but I would like to recommend a couple of things:-

1. After completing your degree, get a proper job and start earning some money.

2. Enroll yourself to a flying club within your area and obtain a PPL at your leisure.

3. Enjoy flying as one of your recreational activities but at the same time watch the local/global aviation industry.

4. Engage full gear if you see any positive opportunity. There is a PhD holder flying with Air Asia and he started flying at his late twenties ..........

Its never too late for anything ........... All the best .......

The Unlearned

hey drebarbas, thanks for the comments. Its good to get at some comments on alternatives for a change. May I ask what ur current profession is? On migrating to klang and stuff, that seems to be further from my current agenda too.

Anyway straight to the point, the dilemma comes from the now known market predicament and where it will be going in the next 2 - 3 (for 2012 grads) years. Though it looks bad atm, I was wondering if u know the up coming forecasts in the next few years in the demand of this region. Coz from the forum it seems everyone is frowning and stuff on the market today; but what about "tomorrow".

I've done some digging myself and from a few external sources and the the studies seem to be rather consistent on the direction of the market (some further validation needed). An example I quote:

"LCCs are expected to grow their seat capacity by over 250% over the next five years, according to the Centre's research. The region's LCC fleet is expected to rise from approximately 300 aircraft to close to 900 by the end of 2012 (based on current known orders)"

Anyway, what is ur opinion on this. Thanks again.

PS: check ur pm

Clement wrote:Dear Oscarwide, I can understand how u hesitate when u come to a cross road whether to proceed to fullfil ur dream or juz lay back and be an ordinary guy.
If it is financial constrain, in the first place, don think about this career bcoz it is an expensive career to choose from....mere 18months to burn up 250K!! But if ur family can afford, then go ahead and make sure that u can graduate with good performance/results bcoz u still need to be really "TOP" or be cream of the crop to secure a job as a pilot.///bear in mind that there r thousands out there still waiting to be selected.

There is a question always in my mine, ppl always says u have to be on TOP, for higher chances of employment. But where is the TOP?
Command hours? Its just time and money to built that up. Score highest in ur exams? Your logbook only says u pass. It doesn't say what your score is. Or maybe min hours in your 1st Solo, PPL license, CPL license or time taken to complete course. But thats not fair, different country have different min hours requirements, and due to weather conditions. Or maybe one doesn't break any airlaw during training counts?

So what make it different from the Best and Worst?

-- Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:14 am --

Hi OscarWilde, I use to be in your situation too. Almost exactly. Parent can only support partly, have to look for financial support here and there. Thinking bout if its worth to dropping my current steady and good income for a career with uncertain future. Everywhere ppl are telling u the aviation industry is picking up in "tomorrows" that u mentioned and there is no other better time to start your training then now. Every school are telling you they are the best school, and most airline are hiring student from their school,etc. etc. Being at the 'yellow light' is really killing me, i've been thinking of stepping the throttle or putting a stop for a long time. drebarbas idea is a good one, but for me i'm a little too old to have that kinda luxury. Coz i found out Airlines in Msia doesn't take fresh pilot over 30years of age and i only have 3year left. For a safe side, i have to decide quick.

So apart from the luxury in pilot career has to offer, the main thing that make me finally decide to step on is that I have this dream and passion to fly which is burning inside of me every single second. And if i don't give it a try, I will regret for the rest of my life. At least i tried, and i got my license, then the job and career opportunity come later. Even if i don't get any pilot job, at least i have no regret. But i believe if you're willing to sacrifice everything for the job, somewhere somehow there will be a job for you.

It is more difficult to me coz i only have enuf money to get my license oversea and its faster. As it cost more to do it in msia. So i will have difficulties getting a job back in my own country even worst in foreign places. (apparently AirAsia is the most active airline in the world, so i expect more job opportunity there). To me the pay, the job, the airline, and not to forget the fame is not that important. I just want a career in flying.

-- Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:23 am --

My conclusion, just do what u think u want to do. Forget about other people's idea, suggestion, guessings. Advice is fine. Coz you'll never get a solid answer for all your questions. There is no guarantee in this path you're about to take.