Contents
1. What GCSE's do you need to become a pilot?
2. Why do pilots need GCSEs in English, Maths and Science?
3. Further qualifications required to become a pilot
4. Costs and considerations for pilot qualifications
5. What else is required to make a good pilot?
6. GoStudent and the GCSEs needed to become a pilot
What GCSEs do you need to be a pilot? It’s not a career path with an obvious route from secondary school, but there are subjects that can help set pilots of the future on their way.
This guide will provide all the information you need, plus some additional tips on what it takes to become a qualified pilot. We don’t know what jobs will be the right ones to choose in the future, but aviation could be a smart move as the global travel industry continues to expand.
Gaining all the necessary certification and qualifications to become an airline pilot can be expensive and does take time, so choosing this career path is something to be taken seriously. However, the average annual salaries for a pilot are good, with £47,000 per annum being realistic at starter level, rising to £150,000 a year for experienced pilots.
Airline and aircraft pilots fly both passengers and cargo to destinations around the world and the weekly hours can be highly variable. It is a profession that entails being available to work evenings and night shifts, as well as at weekends and on bank holidays.
In addition to offering competitive salaries, the industry offers excellent job prospects to qualified pilots. According to Boeing, the long-term demand for aviation professionals is expected to remain strong in the years ahead, with 674,000 newly qualified pilots required to work in global commercial fleets over the coming two decades. Further to that, there is plenty of work for pilots in the private aviation and military sectors.
What GCSEs are needed to become a pilot?
Aspiring pilots should aim for at least five GCSEs at grades A to C, including English, Maths and Science. Learning a second or third language can also be advantageous, so a GCSE in French, Spanish, German or another modern language could be worthwhile. Pilots are also required to be physically fit, so a GCSE in P.E. could be considered. Prospective pilots can also add subjects such as Geography and IT to their CVs to boost their prospects.
Getting things right at the GCSE stage is only the first step, as there is still plenty of work to be done after the minimum requirements are met. Once potential pilots have got the requisite GCSE grades in the bag, there are various subsequent steps to be taken. A typical route into the industry would be to study a specific course at university to become a pilot, such as a degree in Aviation, Air Transport or a similar related subject such as Computer Science or Physics.
The entry requirements for such courses are usually 2 or 3 A-Levels or equivalent qualifications, preferably including in Maths and Physics. Like with GCSEs, for those pursuing a career as a pilot, A-Levels in subjects such as Chemistry, Geography and Modern languages can be beneficial.
A University degree is not 100% mandatory to become a pilot but can provide relevant knowledge, help to build a future professional and social networks and be a useful back-up option should a career change be sought later in life.
Why do pilots need GCSEs in English, Maths and Science?
So for anyone dreaming of one day becoming a pilot it all starts with ensuring that the core subjects of Maths, English, and Science are amongst the five minimum GCSEs at grade C or above which are needed. Having that on the CV will give applicants to private flying schools or airline pilot training programmes a chance of being accepted.
GCSE Maths is an important building block for pilots in terms of the basic arithmetic and trigonometry required to make quick in-flight calculations and decisions. Being able to process numbers and data reliably and at speed is vital, even as cockpit technology continues to increase in sophistication and practical application.
Meanwhile GCSE English provides a solid educational base when it comes to clear communication, which is essential to flying an aircraft. The ability to quickly understand and make yourself understood is fundamental when it comes to communication with colleagues, co-pilots, cabin crew, passengers and air traffic control. Again, being able to communicate well in a second or third language also opens up wider career possibilities for ambitious pilots.
GCSE Science, in particular Physics, gives students of the subject specific knowledge which can be applied to flying aircraft. A good knowledge of Physics helps with understanding concepts and phenomena such as aerodynamics, aircraft design, gravity, air pressure, velocity and weather systems.
Further qualifications required to become a pilot
When it comes to the specifics of pilot training, before starting any such course applicants must be in possession of a valid and up-to-date Class 2 medical certificate as a minimum requirement. They must also acquire the higher graded Class 1 medical certificate before or during their studies to gain a Commercial Pilot Licence.
Pilot training qualifications can be acquired by taking part in a training programme from a commercial airline such as British Airways. Another route is to apply directly to a private flying school to get a Commercial Pilot Licence, with courses generally requiring 18 months of full time study. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides details of approved, creditable flight training schools.
These training programmes and schools get pilots to the level where they attain a ‘frozen ATPL’ (Air Transport Pilot Licence) which allows holders to work as co-pilots and rack up the flying hours required to eventually get the title of captain.
Typically, pilots begin their commercial careers as co-pilots, otherwise known as First Officers. In this role they are second-in-command and will assist with navigation, handle radio communications, and gradually take the controls under the guidance of their captain, as they build their flying experience.
Once they have built up the necessary level of experience and have accumulated enough flying hours – typically around 5,000 flight hours over a minimum of approximately six years – First Officers can be promoted to the rank of captain. In this senior role they will manage their co-pilot and are ultimately responsible for everything that happens on a flight, including maintaining the safety of the passengers and crew.
Costs and considerations for pilot qualifications
The journey to become a pilot, starting from GCSE level, through A-Levels, to University, to a graduate airline training programme or a private flying school, usually takes several years and can be expensive. There are alternative pathways into the aviation industry, offered by the UK military, which could be an option for those who otherwise just cannot afford to train as a pilot.
For those who have little or no flying experience and are considering pilot training, but are unsure about their suitability to the profession, there are tests which can be taken through The Honourable Company of Air Pilots. These aptitude tests can be very helpful for prospective pilots when deciding whether the role really is something they want to study for.
Even for those still at the stage of working out what GCSEs are needed to become a pilot, it can be helpful to scan the job market and look at the amount of work available at any given time for pilots in the UK and beyond. For the domestic job market in the UK, students and their parents can get a feel for the demand in the industry by looking at the current job opportunities for pilots listed by the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA).
What else is required to make a good pilot?
In addition to holding the required formal certificates and qualifications to get a job as a pilot there are several key skills, personal qualities and areas of knowledge relevant to those looking to make it to the top in this highly valued profession.
Those wishing to train to become a pilot should be able to efficiently use computers, while physical fitness and good eyesight are also essential. Those embarking on a career as a pilot should be prepared for rigorous training and ongoing education throughout their working life, keeping themselves informed about industry trends and technological advancements.
The best pilots are those able to concentrate closely for sustained periods of time, work thoroughly, paying close attention to detail and competently operate and control equipment. Pilots should have strong leadership qualities, robust communication, mathematical, reasoning and observational skills and the ability to remain calm and patient in stressful scenarios.
GoStudent and the GCSEs needed to become a pilot
Becoming a pilot is more than just a career choice – it's a lifestyle, an adventure and a continuous learning experience, starting from those all-important GCSEs. Remember, the journey to the cockpit may not always be a smooth flight, there could be some turbulence along the way and maybe a delay or two, but keeping the focus on the horizon is the way to eventually achieve success in this high flying career.
To find out more about how tutoring can help students fully achieve their potential in the Maths, English and Science GCSEs needed to become a pilot explore GoStudent’s world-leading tutoring services today.
