How did you know piloting was the job you wanted to do and did you have any doubts about it at first?

Hi Summer -

What a great question!

I dreamed of being an astronaut. I loved maths and science—there was something very exciting about understanding how things worked, especially when it came to flight and space. That passion only grew when I joined the Air Cadets at 14 and spent six years immersed in everything aviation. From flying in gliders and Grob Tutors to learning the principles of navigation, I couldn't get enough. 

Being around planes became second nature to me. And with my grandad working in air traffic control at Heathrow, aviation was literally in my blood. Some of my best memories are him taking me to RIAT every year—watching the Red Arrows scream past, feeling the roar of fighter jets, and knowing that one day, I wanted to be up there. 

But even with all that, I still had doubts. Was I really cut out for it? Could I handle the pressure? What if I spent all that time training only to realise it wasn’t for me? 

Then I took my first proper flight lesson. The moment the wheels left the ground, something just *clicked*. All those years of watching planes, studying aerodynamics in cadets, even the nerves—it all made sense. Flying wasn’t just a dream anymore; it was where I belonged. 

I won’t lie—training is tough. There’s a lot to learn, and some days are more frustrating than others. But every time I’m in the flight deck, whether it’s popping out the top of thick cloud or nailing a smooth landing, I remember why I love it. 

If you’re wondering whether flying is for you, my advice is simple: try it. Take a trial lesson, talk to pilots, and trust your gut. And if you’re like me—someone who’s always looked up at the sky and wondered what it’s like to be in control up there—you might just find your answer the second you take off. 

Because at the end of the day, the best job in the world is the one that doesn’t feel like work. And for me, that’s flying. 

Chloe