I grew up on fast jet fighter bases but never thought about flying myself until I had to think properly about what I wanted to do in my late teens. I learnt to fly with the RAF while at University with the East Midlands Universities Air Squadron. After leaving University I elected not to join the military and instead looked into continuing my training in the civilian sector. Before I took up a position with CTC Aviation I worked for MyTravel in their flight operations department. Initially carrying out some statistical analysis and then helping on various projects before my training commenced.

Since I finished my training and started my airline flying career I have continued to do additional work within the airlines I have been employed by. Notably I worked on the iPad development, pilot briefing systems and risk analysis at Thomas cook.

I am not one of those who always dreamed of being a pilot. Even though I grew up around flying and fast jets, it seemed like any other job to me, I considered several other careers, Architecture and statistical analysis in particular. However, when I was at university studying for my Mathematics degree I decided to join the University Air Squadron as an “extra curricular” activity. I found the social and sports side of the UAS as rewarding as anything else during my time at university.

It was during this flying training that I decided that flying was a career I could see myself doing long term.