Insightful chats.
I recently had the chance to volunteer at the Careers in Aviation and Aerospace Fair at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London with The Air League, and it turned out to be one of those days that reminds you why aviation is such a special industry.
The room was full of students, aspiring pilots, engineers and people simply curious about what a career in aviation might look like. Our role at the Air League stand was to speak with visitors about the opportunities available through the organisation — scholarships, flying experiences and ways young people can get involved in aviation even if they don’t think it’s possible for them.
Breaking barriers.
One thing I’ve noticed at these events is that many people walk in thinking aviation is out of reach. Sometimes it’s the cost, sometimes it’s a lack of awareness about the different pathways. But once you start talking about the opportunities that exist, you can almost see the shift in their mindset. That’s the part I enjoy the most — helping someone realise that aviation might actually be something they could pursue.
There were also a lot of other great organisations there. Training providers, aerospace companies and industry groups were all sharing their own insights about the different routes into aviation and engineering. Walking around the room and speaking with some of the teams was really interesting because it shows just how many different roles exist beyond the cockpit. Aviation is a huge ecosystem and every role contributes to making it work safely and efficiently.
A few lessons stood out from the day.
First, ask questions and speak to people. The aviation community is usually very open and willing to share advice, but you only benefit from that if you start the conversation.
Second, keep an open mind about pathways. Aviation doesn’t have one fixed route. People come into the industry from all sorts of backgrounds, and often the path isn’t completely straightforward.
And finally, get involved where you can. Volunteering, attending events, or joining organisations like the Air League can open doors and connect you with people who genuinely want to help.
Overall it was a really enjoyable day!