From zero hours to airline pilot - my story.
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Focus Padawan
Thanks for that mate. With a mere 21 hours in my log book and having just completed my first solo circuit, I feel ready to knuckle down to the task ahead of me.
I'll remember your story when it gets tough.
I just have to have faith and believe it will work out in the end i reckon.
I'll remember your story when it gets tough.
I just have to have faith and believe it will work out in the end i reckon.
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That has to be one of the best and most inspirational posts on pprune. What a refreshing alternative to the usual negative b.s. Reminds me of posts similar to that of Flyfish and CAT3Autoland in their route to the RHS.
G SIXTY, well done mate. You coped with a lot during your path to Flybe. Its a lot of work and there are a lot of set backs, but once you are there it's an incredible feeling. I can remember doing by base check in the 737 and saying to the Training Captain that after 3 years 'I couldn't believe I was doing this.' And my first ever landing with 170 pax in the back into Stansted. Coming out of the hold at Lorel and being vectored onto the ILS for 23. 'Take the automatics out and fly it!' was the call from the LTC. Will live with me forever!
All the best mate
G SIXTY, well done mate. You coped with a lot during your path to Flybe. Its a lot of work and there are a lot of set backs, but once you are there it's an incredible feeling. I can remember doing by base check in the 737 and saying to the Training Captain that after 3 years 'I couldn't believe I was doing this.' And my first ever landing with 170 pax in the back into Stansted. Coming out of the hold at Lorel and being vectored onto the ILS for 23. 'Take the automatics out and fly it!' was the call from the LTC. Will live with me forever!
All the best mate
Lots of parallels with my journey there. Chuck in a few years instructing and scratching a living flying twins as a survey pilot, a failed sim ride, a hold pool that never led to a job, two non-airline jobs turned down due to said hold pool, an E145 offer turned down and now in the RHS of a 737-700...
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Good one! I remember it well, it really is smashing stuff when you get that phone call from Exeter (I had just finished my interview and was in the waiting room for my RYR sim check when I took the call!)
Alas I didn't enjoy my base training as much as you did. A combination of no sleep, nerves of butter, last in a group of 3 following 2 geniuses (1 tornado jockey and a wonder girl) and an instructor that seemed to instantly take a dislike to me (as far as I was concerned) made it a 'pass with a b****cking' day. Massive relief to get it done and wish I could fly with that guy now just to p**s on his bonfire as you improve exponentially on line training and even more the 3 months after that!
Loving flying the line for Flybe, and feel very privelidged to be doing so.
Chin up all, it'll all be yours very soon.
Alas I didn't enjoy my base training as much as you did. A combination of no sleep, nerves of butter, last in a group of 3 following 2 geniuses (1 tornado jockey and a wonder girl) and an instructor that seemed to instantly take a dislike to me (as far as I was concerned) made it a 'pass with a b****cking' day. Massive relief to get it done and wish I could fly with that guy now just to p**s on his bonfire as you improve exponentially on line training and even more the 3 months after that!
Loving flying the line for Flybe, and feel very privelidged to be doing so.
Chin up all, it'll all be yours very soon.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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First Class
Firstly G-SXTY, a very well done sir, as all have said it's a great read and a positive note for guys who are on there way up in the world of pro pilots. I haven't been on PPRUNE for a while so it is a great read.
Also CallsignKilo, I was taken back that you honoured my post last year, I am glad so many people enjoyed it, I am still in the saddle and enjoying every minute of my new job, it's really is quite special. Like you say, 'take the auto's out and fly it' makes the whole experience quite special, with 200 punters down the back!
All the best guys.
Also CallsignKilo, I was taken back that you honoured my post last year, I am glad so many people enjoyed it, I am still in the saddle and enjoying every minute of my new job, it's really is quite special. Like you say, 'take the auto's out and fly it' makes the whole experience quite special, with 200 punters down the back!
All the best guys.
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G-SXTY there's very nearly a plane named after you! (G-SIXT)
You're story is one which will stay with me for a long time. It's nice to hear that people still make it going down the old fashioned route of doing it themselves and not just taking out a massive loan of £80,000+ to do their entire training at schools.
As someone who absolutely cannot afford to do that its nice to hear that other people have succeeded in the route that I have also chosen to take...not that it probably won't cost the same anyway!
Out of interest how old were you when you started flying? And how old were you when you got offered a job? I've always been worried about age when it comes to this business so it'd be nice to know.
You're story is one which will stay with me for a long time. It's nice to hear that people still make it going down the old fashioned route of doing it themselves and not just taking out a massive loan of £80,000+ to do their entire training at schools.
As someone who absolutely cannot afford to do that its nice to hear that other people have succeeded in the route that I have also chosen to take...not that it probably won't cost the same anyway!
Out of interest how old were you when you started flying? And how old were you when you got offered a job? I've always been worried about age when it comes to this business so it'd be nice to know.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Actually, one admirer has named his Learjet after me . . . 
JetPhotos.Net Photo » G-SXTY (CN: 60-280) TAG Aviation Bombardier Learjet 60 by Michele Barban - Aviaphotos
I'm humbled by the kind comments guys, it's great to know that so many of you found it useful. Red-Kite - I didn't even fly as a passenger until I was well into my twenties. Trial lesson aged 29, commercial licence and job aged 36. With enough determination, most things are possible.
Re-reading my story the other night (after a few glasses of red) one of the things I realised I should have mentioned was just how close I came to quitting - and more than once. I suspect most of us go through this, but few people want to admit it. This is a very tough mountain to climb, and it's very draining, financially and mentally. Many people fall by the wayside, often through no fault of their own. (I know one guy who broke his back a week before his CPL skills test - dream over).
Excepting disasters like that, if you keep the faith, remain focused on your goal and refuse to give up, it's a perfectly achievable dream. The view from the top of the mountain is well worth the effort.
JetPhotos.Net Photo » G-SXTY (CN: 60-280) TAG Aviation Bombardier Learjet 60 by Michele Barban - Aviaphotos
I'm humbled by the kind comments guys, it's great to know that so many of you found it useful. Red-Kite - I didn't even fly as a passenger until I was well into my twenties. Trial lesson aged 29, commercial licence and job aged 36. With enough determination, most things are possible.
Re-reading my story the other night (after a few glasses of red) one of the things I realised I should have mentioned was just how close I came to quitting - and more than once. I suspect most of us go through this, but few people want to admit it. This is a very tough mountain to climb, and it's very draining, financially and mentally. Many people fall by the wayside, often through no fault of their own. (I know one guy who broke his back a week before his CPL skills test - dream over).
Excepting disasters like that, if you keep the faith, remain focused on your goal and refuse to give up, it's a perfectly achievable dream. The view from the top of the mountain is well worth the effort.
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Wow, what a story!
Brilliant story of how you gave up everything to become a pilot. You showed that it really is no easy task and I can see how much work is going to be required of me to get to a position similar to yours.
Great job!
Great job!
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Lovely Story
Great story, have been on the edge of my seat reading it. Like you had to I commute to my boring job every day wondering if I will ever get there, at the age of 33 with one child and a wife who tells me to stop living in the clouds and goes mad at how much I have just spent going round the circuit in a c152. I fear it never will but who knows your dream came true. How old were you when you got ATPL if you don't mind me asking and how many hours to get first job.
Cheers Paul
Cheers Paul
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Thank you for your motivation
Hello G-SXTY!
I read your story and tears filled my eyes. It just seems impossible that one person can go through all you have been through and get out of it strong, alive and successful.
I started my aviation career in 1999 and lets just say that it hasnt been a smooth road. I am now working on my ATPL theory and looking forward hoping that I'll manage for my CPL/IR. You have really motivated me today...Thank you...
I read your story and tears filled my eyes. It just seems impossible that one person can go through all you have been through and get out of it strong, alive and successful.
I started my aviation career in 1999 and lets just say that it hasnt been a smooth road. I am now working on my ATPL theory and looking forward hoping that I'll manage for my CPL/IR. You have really motivated me today...Thank you...
Join Date: Jun 1999
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G-SXTY,
I have just read through your post again, and I must say you deserve all that you have achieved. One thing that is brilliant about your experience is that it will come out in the aspects of your job through enthusiasm I am sure. Going through one you have done to get where you are will give you a glow that I am sure will rub off and inspire others.
I have been flying airliners for just over a year now, and one thing I really enjoy is people with a story to tell. Some of the Captains I fly with have exactly that, and are still as enthusiatic as ever about their jobs, even after 20 years of flying which is great for me sitting there in the right hand seat, and inspires me to be an and equally enthusiastic Captain when my time comes.
Thank you once again for sharing this all with us.
I have just read through your post again, and I must say you deserve all that you have achieved. One thing that is brilliant about your experience is that it will come out in the aspects of your job through enthusiasm I am sure. Going through one you have done to get where you are will give you a glow that I am sure will rub off and inspire others.
I have been flying airliners for just over a year now, and one thing I really enjoy is people with a story to tell. Some of the Captains I fly with have exactly that, and are still as enthusiatic as ever about their jobs, even after 20 years of flying which is great for me sitting there in the right hand seat, and inspires me to be an and equally enthusiastic Captain when my time comes.
Thank you once again for sharing this all with us.
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Great story. Good to see that despite al the strubling you finally achiefed your goal.
Hey...maybe you should think about switching job?
Become an author instead of a pilot... haha
Really well done and good luck up there!!
Hey...maybe you should think about switching job?
Become an author instead of a pilot... haha
Really well done and good luck up there!!