19 year old airline pilot

[J4CKO]

Very impressive, when most 19 year olds struggle to get insurance on a poxy hatchback, he gets to fly a 737 !

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greate...

Good on the lad, that must have taken some serious work and dedication, does at any age but to do it at that age, amazing.

[Orchid1]

Apparently comparethemarkets insurance quotes were double the value of the plane

[Davel]

Well done to the lad!

[Simpo Two]

Eight years before he's actually in charge of an airliner though - fortunately!

[r1flyguy1]

Wish I'd had £100k at 18, I'm sure I'd have done the same. Unfortunately I'm not from a privileged background and was never in a position for a hundred grand loan.

[whoami]

r1flyguy1 said:

Wish I'd had £100k at 18, I'm sure I'd have done the same. Unfortunately I'm not from a privileged background and was never in a position for a hundred grand loan.

Oh well.

Everyone's different and I'm sure you're delighted for the guy.

He's done well.

[eharding]

Simpo Two said:

Eight years before he's actually in charge of an airliner though - fortunately!

...or next Tuesday, when the Captain keels over and slumps in his seat on the climb-out from Luton.

[HoHoHo]

J4CKO said:

Very impressive, when most 19 year olds struggle to get insurance on a poxy hatchback, he gets to fly a 737 !

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greate...

Good on the lad, that must have taken some serious work and dedication, does at any age but to do it at that age, amazing.

A318 or A319 just for the record, not a 737

Good luck and I'm sure he has a great career in front of him

[Evanivitch]

r1flyguy1 said:

Wish I'd had £100k at 18, I'm sure I'd have done the same. Unfortunately I'm not from a privileged background and was never in a position for a hundred grand loan.

This. Or atleast having a property 'spare' to secure such a loan on.

Good on the guy for doing it, but finance is the biggest obstacle to commercial pilots training, not ability.

[DuraAce]

Helps if your Dad is a captain for the same airline I guess, still a good effort though.

[kicks]

A319 & A320. No A318s. Don't know him but I know his dad. Great guy and pilot loans are affordable if you get a jet job straight away. He would have had to pass all the exams regardless of who his dad is.

[HoHoHo]

kicks said:

A319 & A320. No A318s. Don't know him but I know his dad. Great guy and pilot loans are affordable if you get a jet job straight away. He would have had to pass all the exams regardless of who his dad is.

I stand corrected.

I'll have a chat with my mate who's an examiner with EasyJet and see if he knows him.

[carreauchompeur]

Saw this in the paper.

Fair play to him. Putting aside financing issues he's worked bloody hard for that. If he keeps working at the same rate he's got an interesting life ahead,..

[Crush]

Good for him

At least his training is relevant and gets him into a job. Most of his friends who went to uni won't be able to say that about their course.

[Simpo Two]

eharding said:

...or next Tuesday, when the Captain keels over and slumps in his seat on the climb-out from Luton.

Yes, that's a bit worrying. It would certainly be a test of 'calmness under pressure'... ulp.

[djc206]

Good for him.

A colleague of mine qualified as an ATCO at 20. At any given time he has up to 2 dozen aircraft under his control and he's very good at his job, much better than many of his longer toothed colleagues.

[Dromedary66]

DuraAce said:

Helps if your Dad is a captain for the same airline I guess, still a good effort though.

Read the thread title.

Opened article and scanned for mention of familial links to the same industry.

Was not disappointed.

[surveyor]

CTC direct entry course... That's what they are designed for....

Well done to him.

[El Capitano]

Simpo Two said:

eharding said:

...or next Tuesday, when the Captain keels over and slumps in his seat on the climb-out from Luton.

Yes, that's a bit worrying. It would certainly be a test of 'calmness under pressure'... ulp.

Some of the replies to this thread are a bit confusing really.... Why is it worrying? He's been tested to the same standards.

Everyone starts somewhere, so would it make you feel better if a 35 year old first officer was at the controls despite having the same amount of training and hours as this guy - Just because he's older?

Fair play to him. That said, becoming a first officer as this age is not as rare as this article would have you believe.

Edited by El Capitano on Sunday 3rd July 00:26

[ClaphamGT3]

I seem to recall we were quite happy to have 19yr olds flying Lancasters/Stirlings/Halifaxes back in the the day - good on the guy; wish there were more with his drive