Insightful conversations.
Yesterday I had the chance to volunteer with The Air League at the Future Pilot Skills Event hosted by FlightPad at the University of West London, and it turned out to be one of those days that leaves you feeling genuinely energised.
I spent the day on the stand with Janine Hornsby, Daniel Oriakhi, Navkiran Virdee, Aqeel and Thushan. The aim was simple — talk to people about aviation, share our experiences, and show how organisations like the Air League can help make the journey into aviation a little more accessible. It’s something I’m really passionate about, and honestly I can’t think of a better group of people to spend a Saturday with.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the variety of people who came over to speak with us. We spoke to police officers thinking about a career change, college students exploring their options, and even a chef who had always dreamed about flying but never really thought it could be possible. Hearing everyone’s different life stories was fascinating. In many ways, I probably learned more from those conversations than I was able to give back.
Re-united with friends.
It was also great catching up with familiar faces and speaking with teams from BALPA, Skyborne, British Airways and Pooleys Flight Equipment. Events like this remind you how small and connected the aviation community can be. You start recognising people, building relationships, and slowly feeling part of the wider industry.
Later in the afternoon I slipped into a couple of the talks. One that stood out was the Empower session and the “Top Tips for your Pilot Application” talk by Mohammed Khalil. What made it particularly interesting for me was that I first met Mohammed exactly a year ago when he was sitting in the audience at a similar event. Seeing him now standing on stage sharing his journey was a great reminder of how quickly things can move when someone is determined and committed to their goal.
I left that talk with a few things to think about myself. Sometimes when you’re working towards a long-term goal like becoming a pilot, it can feel like progress is slow. But days like this remind you that every conversation, every event and every bit of advice adds up over time.
A few lessons stuck with me from the day.
First, everyone’s path into aviation looks different. Some people discover flying early, while others come to it after completely different careers. There isn’t a perfect timeline.
Second, listening is just as important as sharing. Some of the most valuable insights came from simply hearing people talk about their journeys, challenges and motivations.
And finally, being around motivated people matters. Spending time with others who share the same ambition has a way of keeping your own motivation strong.
