| Personal details |
|---|
| Degree: | Geography MA Hons |
|
| School(s): | School of Geography and Geosciences |
| Year of Graduation: | Jun-2013 |
| LinkedIn: | |
| National of: | United Kingdom |
| Employment details |
|---|
| Organisation: | British Airways |
| Job title: | Pilot |
| Occupational Sector: | Air Travel |
| What has been your route to getting your current position? |
|---|
| In 2013 I applied, and was offered a place on the British Airways Future Pilot Programme. The training course lasts around 20 months and involves 6 months of 'ground school' 6 months flying training in the US and further advanced training in the UK whilst also undertaking a foundation degree in air transport management. BA pay for the training and accommodation (£84,000 in 2013 - it has increased since) and 'cadets' cover living expenses and are continually expected to meet or exceed the training standards. |
| What does your job involve ? |
|---|
| Flying Airbus A320s for British Airways on short to medium haul flights all over Europe, North Africa and the Near East. |
| What are the best bits of your job ? |
|---|
| Performing your role to a very high standard, excellent travel opportunities and generally high standards of delivery across the company. |
| Why were you successful? |
|---|
| I had four years experience on the University Air Squadron affiliated to St Andrews (ESUAS at RAF Leuchars) with a longstanding involvement with the RAF and general exposure to flying. |
| What skills/ knowledge from your degree have you found particularly helpful in this role? |
|---|
| The Geography course exposed me to a lot of different ways of looking at the world, and dealing with a wide range of people. I remember a field trip to Galway in which we worked for a week with the 'Occupy Galway Group' being particularly helpful to challenge my preconceptions of different groups of people. |
| What advice would you give to students wishing to follow the same path? |
|---|
| The ground school section of the course is really very tough - you have no spare time for the six months - if you are awake - you are studying. The rest of the course is a lot of fun - so don't think of applying if you aren't willing to work hard! You also need to demonstrate a love of flying in some way. |
