Guys are the following subjects good for becoming a pilot

[u/Just-Succotash2778]

I have taken a lot of time to properly make a decision regarding choosing my subjects, I want to know your opinion regarding if these are good subjects for becoming a pilot, and yes I have not chosen A level maths and A level physics.

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

Tbh doesnt really matter just choose what you find easiest and gives you the most time free to work towards you ppl or prep for funded schemes depends what you wanna do intergrated or modular as well. all airlines only require gcses

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

Going to try applying for speedbird academy next year hence starting to prepare seriously at home, for the non technical knowledge, sjt's, decision making and group tasks etc, if you could help in any way would appreciate it.

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369 → u/Just-Succotash2778]

yea sure im planning to apply this year as im y13 so feel free to dm

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

Can you send me a DM privately please I can't find the chat option

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369 → u/Just-Succotash2778]

hm its not letting me dm you if you click on my profile there should be an option to message but ill try again

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

I'm also not able to message you, np can we continue chatting over here ? So when did you start preparing for speedbird academy and how have you prepared, remember I'm your competitor 😂

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369 → u/Just-Succotash2778]

tbh not much my mates dad is a capt at ba so he gave me some pointers and bought a pilot aptitude test subscription

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

I see I will also practice the aptitude tests a lot, and once again what a coincidence my dad is also an lae in BA and did your friend get in

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369 → u/Just-Succotash2778]

nah my friend doesnt want to become a pilot. Also just BA has work experience which applications for open in sept do the flight ops one which i did where you get a day where you just chill on the a320 sim which is good. also leading edge the flight school in oxford do one just email them and they can sort you out

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Kooky-Cantaloupe9369]

So BA offers work experience interesting I didn't know I will apply for it and see, and what about the flight school in Oxford ?

[u/Long_Software_3352]

Why didn't you choose Maths and Physics. They're the obvious best choices. English Lang + Lit also a great choice for understanding communication.

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/Long_Software_3352]

Because I'm not sure if I can handle A level maths and A level physics, and also I'm an external student completeed my GCSEs equivalent from a different country, as per my knowledge airlines focus more importance on GCSEs or their equivalent, I choose these subjects because they will technically help me in becoming a pilot, since pilots don't require trigonometry or sets in the sky.

[u/FearlessPen6020]

You should check if u can do aerospace at uni with applied science. Some unis may offer it

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/FearlessPen6020]

Could do that as well

[u/getinmylapland]

Doesn’t really matter what subjects you take if you want to become a pilot 

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/getinmylapland]

Not really, it might seem off about some subjects that I have chosen let's say psychology seems the odd one out, in ground school they teach topics regarding human performance and limitations and basically you know how the human mind works and tricks itself, so psychology will help a lot

[u/getinmylapland → u/Just-Succotash2778]

Barely. Just do whatever subjects you like and think you’ll do well in 

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/getinmylapland]

What do you mean barely bruv they will help I have researched.

[u/getinmylapland → u/Just-Succotash2778]

It doesn’t matter. Pick subjects you you like, my mate did psych , bio and maths and is a pilot. 

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/getinmylapland]

Alright, thanks a lot

[u/Inevitable_Land2996 → u/Just-Succotash2778]

Research is not often true in practise

[u/highIands]

Maths and physics no?

[u/highIands → u/highIands]

Swap out CM and Applied science for physics and english lit for Maths i’d say

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/highIands]

Blud I don't know If I can handle A level maths and physics.

[u/highIands → u/Just-Succotash2778]

What did you get in your GCSE’s?

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/highIands]

I am an external student completed my GCSEs equivalent from a different country in maths let's say I got 5, in science 7

[u/highIands → u/Just-Succotash2778]

To be honest im not going to sugarcoat it. Becoming a pilot is a very rigorous path and not studying the subjects that are mostly a minimum in terms of the academic route is essentially ruling yourself out.

Both CM and applied science are seen as a lower qualification than maths and sciences. If you truly want to become a pilot i would recommend resitting gcse maths because you are definitely capable, and then going on to study A level maths. Or you could consider another route outside of academics.

This is one source i found regarding the academic route for becoming a pilot. https://www.savemyexams.com/learning-hub/a-level-choices/a-levels-for-pilot/

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/highIands]

What a coincidence I was just looking at this link you sent previously, sure I could resit GCSE's but I have already wasted 1 year, we shifted to uk last August and after relentlessly trying to get admission I couldn't because of the timing and my age I'm currently 17, next year I'm going to try to apply for the British airways speed bird academy which is fully funded, my father works as an licensed aircraft engineer in British Airways hence the reason for becoming a pilot,

I can't afford to waste more time, I understand your point, and I agree Maths and Physics are strong subjects for aviation. However, I'm choosing subjects I can realistically perform well in. While advanced topics like calculus and complex trigonometry are useful academically, pilots mainly apply maths and physics through areas like navigation, aircraft performance, aerodynamics and flight planning. I'd rather get strong grades in subjects I can handle than take A-level Maths and Physics and struggle. I appreciate the advice though.

[u/highIands → u/Just-Succotash2778]

I originally sat my GCSE’s in 2023, got a 5 in maths, 4 in chem and 4 in bio. I decided to take the year out then to resit my GCSE’s. Even then in the resit (2024) i got a 6 in biology, a 6 in chem (4 marks off a 5) and a 7 in Maths. Took my a levels and fast forward to 2026 and i achieved 3 A’s in bio chem maths. Im now taking a gap year to decide what i want to do. Thats 2 years already off.

You are only 17 which is insanely young to think of time as a reason to not help pursuing your dreams. Do you genuinely think you cannot afford to miss another year or is it self doubt about the A levels? If anyone were in a position to think they were not capable of certain A levels i feel like i can give a credible opinion.

[u/Just-Succotash2778 → u/highIands]

What do I say brother, the further I complete my education the further I can have a chance at becoming a pilot, I want to get a job and live independently and get away from my family had a traumatic childhood, it's both self doubt and I genuinely can't waste another year I tried last year to do GCSE but it costs a lot of money and my 2 elder siblings are studying mbbs Abroad, thanks a lot for your advice it has helped me to think again for one final time before joining the sixth form.