Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

As one half of a two man flight crew, I ensure operation of the aircraft within both the airline's published standard operating procedures and within Civil Aviation law, and to provide the passengers with a safe and comfortable flight that departs and arrives on time.

A typical morning flight:
0600: Leave the house
0630: Arrive at the office, print out the flight plan, analyse the weather and calculate the fuel required, meet the Captain and agree on the figures, phone the fuel order through, phone the dispatchers with the passenger numbers and fuel figures.
0700: Head from the office through the airport to the aircraft. Set up the aircraft, carry out an external preflight inspection.
0800: Push back from the gate, taxi and take off.
Cruise: PA's to passengers with the latest ETA and weather, complete all the flight paperwork, continually monitor the aircraft and the weather/operability at the destination. Liaising with air traffic, the company and the handling agents for any special considerations.
1030: Land at destination, begin the quick preparations as per the flight out to ensure turnaround only takes one hour.
1130: Push back from stand, taxi and take off for home.
Cruise: as before.
1400: Land back at base, complete the final paperwork sheets.
1430: Return to the office to file the paperwork, debrief with the Captain, head home.
1530: Back at home!

The challenges it poses. Every day is completely different, even on the same routes, testing you in a different way to still achieve the commercial demands with the given circumstances.

The multifaceted nature of the work. To be a pilot, you have to thoroughly understand physics, mathematics (especially mental maths), meteorology, navigation, engineering, law... the list goes on. And these are only the technical aspects; on top of this you have to be able to handle people skills and operate successfully as part of a two-man crew.

It is something I have always wanted to do from a very young age.

Pilots are among the most examined careers in the world. Every six months you are required to pass a simulator exam and a line proficiency check, and every year you are expected to pass a stringent medical exam.

All ab-initio flight training has to come from another source; airlines do not train their own ab-initio cadets. Once initial training is complete (approx 2 years) the airline will then provide initial line training is until you are cleared to fly the line, thereafter self-study and discussion.

Due to the nature of the job and of the training, you will find that there is a lot of downtime, and it sometimes feels as if everything is all-go or all-nothing. Have a solid plan B backed up by other skills, and have a good hobby to keep you busy and active while you are waiting for the next all-go period.