Michael Footitt
Michael completed his APS MCC at VA Airline Training and started his flying career with Wizz Air UK on the Airbus A320, before moving on to Jet2 in 2023
What inspired you to pursue a career as a commercial pilot?
It was a childhood dream. I remember the day, 15th September 2003, driving home from school on a beautiful day, looking up at the skies and telling my Dad that I wanted to be a pilot. I was 11 at the time! Not realising that my Dad used to fly and my uncle was a Captain on the Boeing 777 fleet for BA!
What did you do before starting pilot training?
I did various amounts of different careers to fund my flight training, from social media to district councillor to area manager and various other things in between including qualifying in accounts.
Which training route did you choose to follow, and why?
I went down the modular route for many reasons. It’s cheaper, it was closer to home and it gave me more flexibility. I completed it in the record time of 13 months. Funded through various cheap loans when they existed.
What challenges did you face before or during training?
There were two big challenges, firstly the UK's glorious weather and secondly having been out of school for over 10 years. I had to teach myself how to learn and revise again as the ATPL theory is significantly different to any form of learning I have done in the past.
What were the highlights of your time in training?
Too many to list, from my first solo to getting my Commercial Pilots Licence and also making many friends! The journey is something I will always cherish as it was a great experience! The APS MCC at the end brought all my training together and it was at this moment during the final few sims when things were starting to come together; I felt like an actual airline pilot, albeit without the job yet! The feeling was surreal!
How did the competencies you developed during your APS MCC help you afterwards?
They helped my understanding for the Type Rating and Line Training, and without this knowledge, the already steep learning curve of line training would have been a lot harder.
What have been the highlights since you started airline flying?
After completing the Type Rating, the next highlight was my first landing in the A320. Wow, it really was the best thing I have ever experienced. After that, flying my parents to Tenerife was surreal, but the best feeling of all was completing Line Training. The first time throughout all of my training that I was no longer under training; it was a very rewarding experience and one that I will treasure forever!
What advice would you give to someone about to start APS MCC training?
This is the time to spend the money, make sure you go to the best school. All the training leading up to this is the same, but choosing the right school for the APS MCC is the bit that makes or breaks your simulator assessment for the first airline job. That’s why I chose the best!