First of all welcome to this blog. Setting up the ATPL Tutoring Group has been a long burning desire of mine and I am so pleased to finally be introducing it and helping others begin their journey within aviation.
My Background
Cliche as it sounds, on a broader level I have always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. This passion was the driving force behind the decision to pursue higher education at the University of Southampton, where I earned a Master's degree in Physics with Space Science. It was here that I first merged academic interests with practical experience by joining the University Air Squadron, igniting that deeper love for aviation. Following university, I continued to pursue my passion for flying by enrolling in an Integrated Course at CAE Oxford.
In the earlier stages of my career, I joined a specialised pilot operations company in the UK, starting as a ramp agent. I cannot stress highly enough the benefits of just getting yourself surrounded by the industry in whatever way you can. This role provided valuable industry experience. Insight into the operational aspects of aviation has helped my tremendously over the years. The company soon offered me the opportunity to transition from ground operations to the cockpit.
Today, I am proud to be a part of a major UK airline, where I continue to embrace all the challenges and rewards that the role brings.
What are the lessons learnt through my training and career so far?
It's safe to say I have gained invaluable insight on all that I have learnt so far. It will come as no surprise that most of them you will have probably already heard before, but they couldn't be more true!
First and foremost, and I have briefly touched on it already, but the importance of immersing yourself in the industry, in any way possible, cannot be understated. Starting as a ramp agent provided me with a varied understanding of the aviation industry from the ground up. The experience emphasised that every role is crucial to the overall operation and success of the aviation field. It'll stand you in good stead going forward if you can obtain some sort of similar experience.
Secondly, resilience and motivation. The path to becoming a qualified pilot is demanding, both physically and mentally. There are undoubtedly challenges and setbacks along the way. Every pilot will have had some sort of setback in some form (I would not believe them if they said otherwise) but it is important to remember that it is all part of the learning experience and the industry that we have decided to work in. Maintaining a positive attitude and seeing these bumps in the road as learning opportunities ,whilst staying focused on your goals, is essential. Set small achievement windows on smaller timelines and the bigger picture will fall into place.
Finally, and on a similar line to the above, keep in the front of your mind a long-term perspective and the value of dedication and hard work over time. Remind yourself and reinforce that true success in aviation is achieved through sustained effort and continuous learning.
What am I passionate about?
Other than perfecting the golf swing or Chelsea FC winning the Premier League again it is helping you! My upbringing was engulfed within the customer service industry and so my second big passion alongside aviation is providing service and customer care. The sense of pride from ensuring you leave with a smile on your face is incredibly important. Instilling confidence alongside a sense of achievement, satisfaction, belief and growth is paramount. The success of this platform relies on those values and I truly believe that we have a unique and special team that are able to achieve that.
How can we help you?
The ultimate goal is to improve your understanding of whichever ATPL subject it is you need assistance with. All of our tutors have that blend of recently completing the ATPL exams and real world experience. That mix will be able to provide valuable insight and scenarios to better explain concepts that are sometimes difficult to gauge. All of the tutors have been selected due to their excellent communication skills, positive thinking and personable character. That is to ensure you feel comfortable from the start and can build a rapport easily in your lesson.
Wrapping this up, I hope you find that this group becomes helpful for you in whichever way you see fit and that the sense of support and community among our group of tutors and students shines through as you continue to use the site and connect.