Santiago Gil López de Pablo
Santiago successfully completed the APS MCC at VA Airline Training and is now flying the Boeing 737 with Ryanair
What inspired you to pursue a career as a commercial pilot?
Ever since I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to become a pilot. It all started when a childhood friend came to my house with a joystick and Microsoft Flight Simulator. From the day I took the controls of a virtual plane for the first time, I knew that I wanted to dedicate myself to this and that it would be my goal in life. From that moment on I oriented my entire career towards achieving my dream of being an airline pilot.
What did you do before starting pilot training?
Coming from a humble family, in order to become a pilot, I had to orientate my professional career with the aim of getting all the money required to become a pilot. Since I have always loved aeroplanes, I decided to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering, specialising in navigation and aerospace systems. This allowed me to work for almost four years in the aerospace industry on air traffic control software and military avionics projects and therefore earn the money required to become a pilot.
Which training route did you choose to follow, and why?
The fact that I needed to study for my degree and then work at the same time as doing my pilot training meant that I chose the modular format. This allowed me to combine both activities at the same time being the only way I found to make it feasible. In addition, the modular way allowed me to choose where I wanted to do each licence, something that was key to being able to participate in the Ryanair Mentored Programme.
What challenges did you face before or during training?
The main problem before I started my pilot training was financial. That is why I decided to do aerospace engineering first, as well as for having a Plan B in case I didn't manage to become a pilot in the future. During the training my worst enemy was time. It was hard for me to find the time and the will to study after long and hard working days.
What were the highlights of your time in training?
If I had to think of a highlight of my training, I would say it was the time building. When I was a child and looked up to pilots, I always wanted to have the opportunity to fly in the cockpit one day. That is why on every time building flight I invited someone who had never flown or tried general aviation before. The most special passenger I had was my grandmother. Being able to share this experience with her and seeing her smile and tears of emotion after the flight was all I needed to feel fulfilled as a pilot.
Santiago and his training partner completing cockpit preparation before an APS MCC simulator session at VA
How did the competencies you developed during your APS MCC help you afterwards?
Participating in the Ryanair Mentored Programme has been one of the best decisions I have made in my professional career. This course prepared me to a very high level to face the airline interview and later to pass the Type Rating with much more ease. When I sat in the simulator cockpit after the course you could see that my mental capacity was very high and this allowed me to always be ahead of the aircraft, making each session more profitable.
What have been the highlights since you started airline flying?
At the time of writing this I am still waiting for the Line Training base, so the biggest highlight for me was the Base Training. That day I fulfilled the dream I had always had since I was a child. Getting behind the controls of a real Boeing 737 for the first time was one of the best experiences of my life and made me feel very fulfilled. I still can't quite believe how incredible it was that day.
What advice would you give to someone about to start APS MCC training?
Emphasising the importance of participating in a good APS MCC is never enough. It is the course that lays the foundation of your learning for the company's SOPs, prepares you to successfully pass the interview and gives you the confidence to tackle the Type Rating. In this sense I think VA Airline Training does a great job preparing their students and I personally recommend the courses they offer, especially the Ryanair Mentored Programme.