Home
Tom the Surgeon
Oliver the Pilot
Spot the difference between Tom and Oliver
- Pilots and surgeons are both responsible for peoples lives
- A pilot and a surgeon can earn similar money
- Both of them needed extensive training to become qualified
- Each will have to prove continuing professional competence over the whole of their working lives
The difference?
A surgeon could come from any background and the education system will train them. That means that Tom trained as any other student would – with the benefit of paid tuition fees and a student loan at preferential rates with deferred payment until he starts work.
There is no official student status given to student pilots which, in essense, means they cannot access any of the student loans and grants afforded to other students. What’s more they are charged VAT on their training fees. The situation as it stands means that unless you are from a wealthy family, or a family with enough equity in their home and prepared to put it up as security for an ordinary loan, then you are disqualified against before you even start.
It costs in excess of £60,000, a figure way out of reach of many. We believe the current situation discriminates against many and needs to change. We also believe it to be unfair that these students pay VAT to train.
If it were your son or daughter wanting to become a pilot would you think this was fair?
More importantly could you afford to pay for it yourself?
If you think that is fair and right then click away from this page. If you agree that it is only right that in this day and age an airline pilot should be allowed to come from any background regardless of how much money their parents earn then simply click here to register your agreement.
Fairplane – help us to make student pilots students before they become pilots.
