The latest Pilot Careers Live event held in London on 6 April was a huge success for both visitors and exhibitors. Visitor numbers were up 15.8 percent, from last year’s 2150 to 2491, while the exhibition hall was packed with flight training organisations and related services.
One of the most popular stands and seminar speakers was YouTube star Captain Joe, who said, “I feel honoured to have been invited by Pilot Careers Live to give a presentation at their latest exhibition in London.”
Well, we felt honoured too, and he was warmly welcomed by visitors. “Finally I met the person who my role model for my pilot career, Captain Joe. I would like to say thank you to Pilot Careers Live,” said one. Another said, “Had a great day at Pilot Careers Live at Heathrow Airport! Good to chat with Captain Joe and gained lots of useful information.”
The newest flight training organisation to take part at PCL London is Leading Edge Aviation based at London Oxford Airport, whose stand was packed with visitors keen to learn about a career in the airline industry, with many having fun with the company’s virtual reality exhibit.
Skyborne Airline Academy, another recent launch in the ATO world, was explaining its selection process which saves candidates money. The Wings Alliance was hosting the Air League which launched its latest ATPL Scholarship in association with Bristol Groundschool.
L3 Airline Academy and CAE, the two big boys of the airline pilot training industry, had both qualified pilots and current students on their stands to talk first hand about their courses, a scenario repeated at many exhibitors’ stands.
It’s also an international event with ATOs such as FTEJerez and Airways Aviation attending and attracting big crowds.
FTA Global was talking about its modular and integrated courses, both at highly competitive prices, as were Stapleford Flying Centre and newcomers to the show, Atlantic Flight Training.
Helicopter flying as a career received a boost with Helicentre Aviation not only bringing along some of its scholarship-winning former students – now working – but also Bristow Helicopters to talk about careers.
Among the universities attending, many offering pilot degrees, was the University of Leeds who said, “An amazing day down at Heathrow for Pilot Careers Live. To speak to so many aspiring aviators about this degree and the society was so inspiring.”
They wrapped up everyone’s feelings with, “These events are so beneficial for everyone who attends, whether representing an stand or visiting for information. I would encourage anyone who is interested in an aviation career to attend in the future.”
Pilot Careers Live 2019/20 dates:
- Pilot Careers Live Spain (Madrid) Saturday 11 May 2019
- Pilot Careers Live North (Manchester) Saturday 6 July 2019
- Pilot Careers Live London (Heathrow) Friday 1-Saturday 2 November 2019
- Pilot Careers Live Italy (Rome) Saturday 23 November 2019
- Pilot Careers Live Ireland (Dublin) Saturday 07 March 2020
- Pilot Careers Live Germany (Frankfurt) Saturday 14 March 2020
- Pilot Careers Live London (Heathrow) Saturday 18 April 2020
