My goal of becoming a pilot started at a very early age. My late my late mother told me when I was about 4 years old, I would get excited about low flying aircraft in our area of Kent. We were not far from Manston circa 1945. As I grew up, my interest in aviation grew as well and my fascination with aircraft gelled into an ambition to become a pilot.
By my mid-teens, I realized that the only path for me to achieve my ambition would have to be via the Royal Air Force. I tried for a flying scholarship but failed. I was determined to enlist, so I applied for an aircraft apprenticeship. My line of thinking was that if the RAF would not take me on as a pilot, then I would be able to satisfy my ambition by at least working on aircraft as a technician. The RAF Halton apprenticeship enabled me to eventually win a scholarship to train as a pilot at the RAF College Cranwell.
After 20 years in the RAF, I realised that to continue with my love of flying airplanes would be restricted by advancement to senior rank and responsibility. It was time to re-evaluate my plans. I decided to change direction and resign my commission and re-direct my career into business aviation. During 42 years of flying as a business jet pilot, I have received 3 redundancies and resigned from one position when head-hunted to another. Each change has provided better opportunities that have not hindered my career but rather enhanced it.
At each twist and turn in my career, I have always relied upon my inner belief in my capability and ability to adapt to the new situation. I have treated each of these events as opportunities for change and betterment in my career path. My keywords have been flexibility and adaptability. Always making the best of the situation and working harder has seen me through and led to better times.
At each step change, a review of my experience and qualifications has provided me with the confidence and belief that there will be an organisation, or an individual ready to hire me to take up the position that is needed to be filled. I have also been prepared to search globally and not be tied to one area nor one country in the search for employment. I have disciplined myself to present myself in the best possible manner with the correct level of modesty.
In a career that has spanned many years and many changes, my mantra has always been, “One can never be over-qualified”. My motto is “Man’s flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge”. These are words to live by for both new and aspiring pilots looking to build a rewarding career.
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