Getting off to a flying start

By Yvonne Kerr

So you want to be a pilot? Well, don't rule it out. You don't need to be a straight A student, a maths genius, a certain age or have experience to turn your dream into reality.

A new degree course in airline transport operations will put you on the path to a career in the aviation industry with a mentored cadetship that promises to have you airborne as a professional pilot within 18 months.

A three-hour assessment will suss out if you have what it takes to fly a plane; pass that, and an expected global shortage of pilots means that a job is pretty much guaranteed, according to the general manager of Waterford's pilot training college, Sinead O'Marcaigh. The assessment is far from plane sailing, however, as only 50% make it through, but this rather ruthless filter process has contributed towards an impressive 95% first-time pass rate at the college, Sinead says.

"The only no no is colour blindness," says Sinead, who had 180 students currently enrolled in pilot training, from 17 up to 40 years of age, and from all walks of life - farming, business, even straight from school.

"Everything else can be taught, but you have to demonstrate the right attitude, a willingness to learn, co-ordination and dedication."

The initial flying assessment takes place in a simulator, but this isn't your typical amusement park cockpit that shakes and spins to leave you feeling green. This simulator is state-of-the-art and is configured to be the same as a plane (simulator flying hours count towards student's final exams). At the push of a button, rain will beat hard against the front of the cockpit, or, for a real test of character, engine failure can be artificially summonsed. You can even change geographical location in this computerised plane. Flip a switch to land in Dublin as you zoom in over the Irish Sea or, if you'd prefer to fly by Shannon airport, press a button and, hey presto, you're in Co Clare.

Traditional cadetship training courses have been replaced by mentored cadetship programmes, Sinead says. Whereas before the airline paid for the course, now the student pays, but the difference is that a job is guaranteed at the end, if deadlines and targets are met. Their youngest graduate joined the course at the age of 17 (Sinead stamped his children's allowance book) and 18 months later, he's living at home in Cork and flying for Aer Arann. He had a professional pilot's licence before had had a driver's licence, Sinead says, and will have paid off his loan by the age of 22.

Or look no further than the founder of the Shemburn group (owns the pilot training college) for inspiration. CEO Mike Edgeworth founded the company more than 15 years ago - now its Ireland's leading pilot training provider. A former Longford sheep farmer, Mike made the transition from the ground to the air many moons ago, flying the Beckhams and the rock band Queen around, among other celebs. He hasn't looked down since.

The required loan to get started is not to be sniffed at (€98,000 for the cadetship, and €120,000 for the three-year degree course (fees include on-site accommodation)), but at €40-50,000, the starting salary is good so you can quickly make a dent in the borrowed amount. Two graduates recently started work with an Irish airline on €54,000, Sinead says, and are likely to make up to €90,000 within three years. The pilot training college works in partnership with AIB to secure loans that are relatively low risk as graduates are likely to secure jobs sooner rather than later. As for time-off with the 14- month course, there's none, as students must dedicate themselves to intensive study to qualify in such a short time. "We take very seriously the fact that we're training people in the basic tools of survival," Sinead says. "At some point they might be in trouble at 40,000 feet, and it's the stuff they learn here that they'll draw on to get them through."

The training base is perfect, Sinead says. Close to the calm and orderly Waterford airport, its own micro-climate means conditions are never too extreme, and the airspace is relatively free, so time in the air is maximised. For more chaotic training in busier air zones, Dublin, Cork and, for the more advanced, UK airports aren't far away. Fair-weather training takes place in a partner air zone in Florida, USA.

The honours degree course has come out of a partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology and secures a commercial airline pilot's licence for the student also. Unlike the mentored cadetship, a job isn't guaranteed, but the two qualifications (degree plus pilot's licence) open up a number of aviation-related industry jobs. Applicants for this course need 320 points in the Leaving Certificate at least, one science-related subject and a valid medical cert.

The Shemburn group is currently in the top five pilot-training groups in Europe.

From the farm to the skies

CEO of the Shemburn Group, Mike Edgeworth grew up involved in all aspects of farming and it looked like his father's 120-acre farm in Longford was his most likely career path. However, planes flew over Mike's head as he turned hay in the fields, and he couldn't help wondering, what if? The vibrant Abbeyshrule airport was close to the farm, and Mike used to sneak off to take flying lessons whenever he could afford it. He soon got his private pilot's licence, but it wasn't until more than 15 years later than Mike put his natural talents into action.

A qualified civil engineer at this stage, with a background in electronics and time spent abroad in New York and Russia, Mike came home and applied to Aer Lingus. Things were very different at that time, he remembers, with no liberalisation in the industry and no national carrier airlines. Mike chose corporate flying, and quickly built up quite an impressive list of celebrity clients - his most memorable job, he says, was flying the 80s rock band Queen to all their concerts around Europe.

With the opening up of the market, and pilot training schools around Europe, Mike's business mind was sparked. He saw an opportunity for Ireland, with its central geographical location, close to the UK, and its freely available air space. Demand was growing, and Ryanair was now developing rapidly - so Mike decided to set up a pilot training college (PTC). Two years later, the PTC was up and running in Waterford airport.

Mike's advice to anyone with an interest in aviation is to go for it. "It's a subjective issue," he says. "It's not about being clever enough. You have to use a barometer to check out if you're suitable - it's more about aptitude." While the courses are expensive, Mike says it's an "investment" over time - a commercial pilot can earn up to €130,000 per year. Mike still flies, though not as much as he'd like to. He also keeps a hand in at farming, keeping sucklers and sheep on a small farm in Waterford.