Hi all,
Well, I did post on the 2nd of March, sharing my delight of landing my first airline job, and promising to continue contributing to PPRUNE. Whilst reading these forums I have always gained alot of enjoyment and encouragement from people who have taken the time to share their experiences, one that springs to mind was FFF CPL diary and various others. I hope this inspires people who are waiting for their first break, or people who are currently training. I thought this abbreviated 'days events' may be of interest to fellow trainee pilots.
So there I was, at the beginning of March, with a smile from ear to ear on my face knowing that I was going to be an airline pilot, however there was still alot of hard work ahead, and still is! On starting my new job, we embarked on the 2 day induction course, which really was a lot of fun. With the weekend off the following week was spent fighting fires, reviving plastic dummies, swimming with life jackets on, learning about security etc. 4 days in the simulator followed as a refresher course to prime us up for the company LPC/OPC. With that in the bag and 3 days off (as the guy in crewing said, 'this flying lark will get in the way of your days off'
) I was looking forward to my first line flight.
Arriving at LHR to pick up my airside pass, I was some 4 hours early, didn't want to be late! The whole day was quite magical. A dear friend of mine, who has been working for the company for 2 years had arranged it that he would be my safety pilot, which was fantastic. We had spent so many hours buzzing around in C152/PA28 and PA34's, and now that was going to change, we were in a 73.5 ton airliner! On meeting my training captain and looking at the weather, I was put at ease, with the emphasis on enjoying the day. With the cabin crew right behind us we headed out to the aircraft. Walking up the steps I could only think to myself, I have got to fly this big bugger! Anyway, cockpit preparation was complete and before we know it I am on the radio to LHR clearance delivery getting the clearance. The captain flew the first leg which gave me a chance to see what was going on, but no time relax the PNF role is the hard bit
.
We arrived at Manchester, and with a quick turn around, it was my turn to get my hands on this monster. I couldnt wait. Pushing back, and taxiing out, I was trying to remember all the SOP's as well as do the checks and remember the correct responses to the checklist. Lining up on 24R and standing up those thrust levers was what it was all about. Out the corner of my eye I could see a beaming smile coming from the jumpseat, I knew what he was thinking, this is what you have been waiting for! The roar of those gas turbines behind me was fantastic. In my mind I could hear the voice of various sim instructors saying 'STICK FORWARD' so didnt forget that on the take off roll. Very quickly I heard the call V1 then rotate, gradually lifting this big bird into the air with my right hand on the side stick. 12 years of hard work, since I gained my PPL, was being projected with a large smile on my face as I called for 'gear up'. The leg was over in a flash, before I knew it we were on the approach to 09L at LHR. The captain instructing me to take the autopilot out on the ILS and 'enjoy myself', well that went without saying
. I couldnt believe what I was doing, the M25 going underneath me, LHR airport in my 2 o'clock, T5 screaming pass the right hand window, this is what I have been waiting for, for the last 27 years of my life, it was great. Into the flare, it was definately an arrival, but the aircraft was in one piece. Arriving on stand and shutting the engines down, it was time to do it all over again.
I know this gets mentioned a lot on PPRUNE, but believe me, the determination, blood sweat and tears going through your training and trying to get a job certainly is worth it when you get there.
All the best, and happy landings.