Hi Jas.

Thanks for your question.

I started as an air cadet and following an RAF flying scholarship I got my PPL at 17. My life went in another direction for a while until I was successful in my application to train with British Airways as a cadet at the age of 25. We are currently running the Speedbird Pilot Academy which gives similar opportunities to many others.

There are several key skills required by Pilots, starting with an aptitude for workload management and handling an aircraft. Playing computer games and doing complex puzzles can be a great way to develop these skills.

Another critical skill is communication and the ability to adapt this to various situations. You need the skills to work in a team and to show leadership when necessary. Having an understanding of the bigger picture, often called situational awareness, will allow pilots to manage situations more effectively and assist with decision making which is a big part of daily life as a Pilot. Continued professional and personal development is key, as is having an understanding of how to take care of your mental and physical health.

Many of these skills are used in daily life, both at home and at work and it is valuable to reflect on how you manage these and how you can develop personally. My personal journey was training and working as a paediatric and neonatal nurse, which while very different, also required many of the skills needed as a pilot and was significant in my success as an applicant for the cadetship.

I hope that this gives you some guidance and you will find a lot of information regarding pilot competencies online.

Good luck with your journey.

Kate

28 October, 2024 15:42