F/O on a 737 at just 19

[chris-squire]

I'm very envious of this guy. If all had gone to plan I would have had my fATPL at 19 but like lots of people it didn't so am just starting out but should still have mine by 23 1/2 so can't complain. Don't begrudge this guy his 5 mins of fame. Yes it's a bit cringeworthy but he's made the best use of what he's got including his contacts to get him to where he is now.

Can anyone dare to say that they wouldn't do the same??? If my ol'man was a Cpt for a charter airline then I wouldn't have any qualms in grabbing the opportunity.

CS

[Phil Space]

Firstly, this story is in the Mail, not always known for being factually correct, especially on aviation related matters.

It was actually an agency story lifted from a local paper and appeared in a number of the UK nationals.

Reading some of the replies to what is a nice story there are some sad bitter people out there.

[FAStoat]

F/O on Merchantman?

As someone old enough to know the Vanguard/Merchantman,I dont ever remember Air Atlantique(Mike Collet ,if I recollect) having Merchantmen.Air Bridge Carriers were the last users of the Freighters,after Invicta at Manston.I knew a lot of Air Bridge pilots ,some of whom went on to the Belgians continuing as Freighter Pilots.The point though is that there have been loads of 19 year old F/Os on modern jets.A great friend of mine,but an Ex crabfat,has a Son at BMI who must have only just reached 19 when he passed his line training,and is scheduled to be the youngest Captain.For various reasons,the Attractive F/O seems to get the best chance of an early command still.An F/O I flew with,and very young went on the command a 319 in her early 20s,and may command a 330,unless she has now got kids!!!I think M Mouse might be confusing the Huge Merchantman with the Electra;only a 14 Ton payload but still 4 turning and burning ,which Air Frantic had most of the survivors of.Anyway good luck to this guy,and I hope he can back up his Captain,with some common sense in his hour of need.With the changes of weather now,this will soon happen.

[Bus429]

By reputation, I would be thought of the first to have a go at pilots...

Good on Ed, good luck in your career.

Arthur Aaron VC won that accolade after landing his Stirling safely despite having had most of his face shot away after a mission to Turin; he was 19 (and the VC was posthumous)

[Taildragger67]

Good on you son; the naysayers here are all just jealous.

For the age comparisons being run, the RAAF had a F111C driver aged 19 a few years back.

[sky9]

In the 60's and early 70's people came out of Hamble, Oxford and Perth after 15 months training with a CPL and I/R. Assuming that they commenced training after their A levels about half must have been teenagers when we joined our first airline.

The incredible thing was that at the time we knew everything there was to know about aviation, learned in such a short time too!!

[lordsummerisle]

M Mouse,

Think you may be referring to KC? Was actually captain on the Electra at 21(Think was in the Guinness Book of Records as youngest public transport Captain on an over 50T aircraft or somesuch)

Think he prefers to forget being a hostie on the Dak though!

Real good lad, and pleased to hear he's doing well, tell him hi from CC

[jb5000]

Why are there so many bitter individuals having a snipe at him because he didn't have to do things the 'hard way'?

I walked into an HSBC and got the full loan for all of my training (unsecured), and I now have a jet job. Yes my parents probably helped me a bit along the way but I didn't have to do 3 jobs at once to pay, or get involved in instructing.

Am I fortunate? Of course I am, I am under no illusions about how much I have to learn.

Was it easy? Categorically... No.

[CABUS]

I am very saddend to see that a young chap gets a job good job and a select few start attacking it. I think anyone who has passed the Class 1, Ground school, CPL,ME,IR and enjoyed the MCC deserves congratulations especially those who have managed it at BOTH end of the age ranges and even more so if faced financial or medical difficulties.

As I am sure most people will agree this industry can still be based on who you know and having a bit of cash to pay for the training. So for the people who are bitter they dont know anyone in the industry who can help them why not kill two birds with one stone like I did and work as a flight dispatcher for a few years. I earned the money for all the training and living, learnt loads about the industry, had a great time and made loads of contacts who have really helped. Personally I think a pro active approach to getting to know people instead of moaning that someone else if fortunate works! He has been helped get on the ladder and I am sure in the years to come will help others.

[airborne_artist]

The 2 i/c on my first (training) squadron was a Lt Cdr Royal Navy who had, IIRC, some years before, been fixed wing (F4, probably) carrier qual'd at age 19 and half. Beats a PlayStation.

[M.Mouse]

Sorry I meant the Electra, Thanks for the correction, I never was much good at aircraft identification.

I have edited my post at the top of the page to correct the error.

[interpreter]

Hamble in the 60's

Well, well, well you fellows must have been kept in the air with an Engineering Director by the name of Group Captain (Retd) F E Stokes. All PA28s wasn't it in those days?

[fireflybob]

All PA28s wasn't it in those days?

Actually no, there were still quite a few Chipmunks too - I did some of my basic on the Chippie when I was at Hamble in 1969/70.

Oh and by the way, I was flying the B707 when I was 20 years old for the record. I remember well going to the USA on one of my early trips and not being allowed to enter a bar as I was under 21 years to the amusement of the rest of the crew. I also had a cabin crew sign me up in the "Junior Jet Club" - I was not amused!

[WindSheer]

It's interesting to see all the jealous posts, and the criticism against them!!
I for one am chuffed for the guy, but on the other hand am slightly annoyed!

I am 28, and have finally found a job that should fund me enough to pursue my licence over the next 4 years, I then face the battle of getting a job.
Would this young chap have gone down the same hard graft route......gaining the licence is one thing.....but to me, earning and plucking up the courage to invest a life changing amount of money is where the credit lies!!

All the best to you! Look after your career appreciate what you have got!!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

It's in the Telegraph today with the heading "This is your Captain speaking".
Well done to him, but on the other hand does he realise that one of the B737 he is flying is only just younger than he is, one of the fleet first flew in Aug 88.

[st patrick]

I joined Aer Lingus in 1988 as a cadet (yes I know how lucky I am and still appreciate the opportunity I was given). About 60 of us joined that year at least 5 of whom were 18 and a few of these had literally left school 2 months before. All of them were in the right seat of either a B737 or a BAC 1-11 when they were 19. I wish the F/O mentioned in the article the very best of luck in his career and I hope he enjoys it as much as I still enjoy mine, despite the massive changes we have all seen occur in this business over the last 20 years.

[six-sixty]

This is a load of fuss about nothing. The guy doesn't deserve criticism or bitterness, but he certainly doesn't deserve special praise either.

[fokkerjet]

Same Bob from Ford Air?

[RAT 5]

Slight deviation, but never mind. Had a colleague yonks ago wo was skipper on an F27. A/c diverted from Norwich to Leeds. Told to use company credit card to hire vehicle from Hertz and drive home. No could do as whole crew under 25?? Makes you think, eh?

[LRdriver II]

Same Bob from Ford air yes..

Nice kid though.. chatted with him at Andrewsfield where he was washing airplanes, fueling and working behind bar. Shows that he is into aviation instead of the rest of the whiney twonks who roll straight from ab-initio school into a 737 and think its their birth-right..