Communication
Jez
Airbus Instructor and Examiner
Airline Pilot Experience:
Most Recent Aircraft Type:
Training Route:
Aviation Specific Degree:
Languages:
Location:
Captain, TRI/E, CRMI/T, MPLi, Management
Airbus
Integrated ATPL
No
English
UK
Additional Experience/Qualifications:
N/A
Passions, Interests and Experience:
Pilot Competencies, Aviation Training, Evidence Based Training, Competency Based Training, CRM/TEM, Lost Medical
Why did you want to become a pilot?
I’d always wanted to fly. I was lucky that my parents managed to take us abroad on holiday. So I knew I wanted to travel and I didn’t want to be office based.
How did you fund your training?
I was very fortunate to be sponsored by British Airways who paid for my training up front allowing me to pay them back later out of my salary.
Was training a breeze or did you find it a challenge?
Like most, I found certain aspects very challenging. I think if you don’t find at least some aspects of pilot training challenging, then you are probably not challenging yourself sufficiently.
What was most challenging?
Initially ATPL Ground School! The sheer volume of it and it was like being back at school – I wanted to be outdoors. And then when I joined BA, the initial A320 Line Training. Operating out of LHR, the RT was ridiculous, no flight was the same, no descent and approach was the same. You have to broaden your awareness and increase the flexibility in your planning very quickly.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
As an instructor, I enjoy helping a diverse, well-motivated group of trainees maximise their potential and achieve their ambitions.
As a pilot, I loved that no flight was the same, every day was different. Also, seeing the sun every day and travelling to some wonderful places.
What is most challenging about your job?
Which of the Pilot Competencies are of most interest to you and why?
I like the way that Pilot Competencies have evolved. No matter what your experience, you can look at them and self-analyse where your strengths and areas for development lie – look at each behaviour indicator and ask yourself ‘Do I …’? You can see what an airline pilot ‘looks like’ from an early stage and can see what you need to aspire to. If I have to highlight a couple, then they would be Communication and Situation Awareness.
Additional info