Before Biting The Bullet
Before taking my A Levels I had also chosen Maths and Physics since these were important subjects to grasp to stand a chance in becoming a pilot. I also did work experience in Manston Airport, Kent, which I must add was an amazing experience for me. Anyway, I was dropped from Maths and Physics half way through the first year because of my lack of aptitude in these subjects, I was a little dejected but it was really going no where for me at that time. I decided at that point to give up the dream, I said to myself "maybe I'm just not smart enough".
It is embarrassing for me to say, but in a way getting these results was a blessing in disguise, I shall explain why in another blog.
After my A levels I began studying in Kingston University, Surrey. At first I took up a HND in Computing, probably my biggest mistake. I was still a pretty confused child at this point, I had long given up the dream of becoming a pilot and wanted to be a Computer Engineer instead. After the first year I dropped it due to the fact that I just could not grasp programming, only 4 out of the 32 people carried onto the second year, so that made me feel slightly better. I then decided to take up Media Technology with Business, which I must add was a pretty fascinating subject. It involved a good mix of technical and creative work such as Animation and Video Editing. It was only at this point where I finally started to apply myself academically. In 2007 I graduated with a 2.1! What an achievement for once underachieving kid!
In October 2007 I was employed by a simulation company to work as a 3D Modeller, and this has been my job role ever since. So you might be asking how I managed to get into Commercial Pilot Training? I shall explain. I have a very close friend of mine who started his training at Oxford Aviation Academy, before that point I didn't even know what a flight training organisation was and naturally I was curious about it. By at that point, my dream of flying hadn't quite returned yet.
I'd say about 2 years into my job I started to feel the need for some sort of change, somehow the dream had rekindled itself. I started to quiz my friend who was by this point employed by an airline. However, this was right when the worldwide economic crisis started and I was scared off again... The dream vanished once more.
It wasn't until 2010 when I was doing portfolio work and going for interviews with other creative companies where I started to question myself. Could I really do this until the age of 65? This was a difficult point for me, and I remember speaking to friends and family about what to do with my life. I had spoken to many people about what my situation was and what options were available to me. On one hand I was very comfortable in my position, the money was good and I'm very experienced and employable. However at the same time, I was uncomfortable with being comfortable.
I remember a day after I'd spoken to friends and family where I said "I'm gonna do it", and I don't mean jump off a cliff, I meant that I was gonna take the risk and go into commercial pilot training. That was the day I booked my Skills Assessment...
