Meet Esher Alumni Adam

Why did you choose Esher?
Having completed my GCSEs, I wanted a change of environment and somewhere that felt more open and independent and would help prepare me for life after 18.

I was also attracted by the huge range of courses Esher offered, alongside the many enrichment opportunities, including courses designed to develop critical thinking skills. For my enrichment options I chose Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) and Critical Thinking Pathway.

What do you remember most about at Esher?
I remember how different the culture at Esher was compared with my secondary school, Ashcroft Technology Academy.

Esher gave me more independence and control over my studies. My teachers were always on hand to answer questions, even during the challenging circumstances of COVID. In particular, Meir, who taught Politics, was one of the most knowledgeable teachers I’ve ever had. He knew the subject incredibly well, but, more importantly, he taught it in a way that really developed my critical thinking skills.

I still have a deep passion for politics and often draw on the knowledge I gained at Esher when following current affairs and the news and in my day to day life.

How did your teachers inspire you?
Although I decided not to go to university, my teachers were incredibly supportive in building my confidence during the application process.

Oxbridge wasn’t even something I thought I could apply for, but Meir, who was also my tutor, encouraged me and supported me throughout my application. Having teachers encourage me to explore possibilities beyond what I thought I could achieve was incredibly valuable.

That confidence stays with you long after you leave college.

What did you do after A Levels?
After Esher, I decided to take a gap year while I considered alternatives to my university offers. During that year, I travelled and worked in various jobs, and it was also when I started taking my passion for aviation more seriously.

I briefly worked as cabin crew before deciding to make the leap into flight training – something I’d wanted to pursue from a young age but had never thought was realistically attainable.

Ultimately, it came down to a choice between becoming a pilot and going to university to study PPE, which were obviously two very different paths. In the end, my love of travel and the idea of having a dynamic career led me towards aviation.

For now, my passion for politics remains in the form of being an avid reader and follower of current affairs, and I still haven’t ruled out studying politics in the future.

What are you doing now?
Since starting my flight training in late 2022, I’ve secured my Commercial Pilot Licence and my first airline job, flying for Europe’s largest airline. The last few years have flown by [no pun intended], and I’ve learnt a huge amount from the experience.

I feel very fortunate to be flying passengers to their destinations in a 60-tonne jet. Being a pilot actually involves a great deal of critical thinking and mental maths. It’s about constantly thinking ahead, anticipating situations and calculating everything from fuel endurance to speeds and descent management.

At the heart of it all is workload management and decision-making.

When did you realise you wanted to become a pilot?
I’ve had a fascination with aviation since secondary school. The fact that such a huge piece of high-tech engineering can transport hundreds of people across the world at tens of thousands of feet and hundreds of miles-per-hour – while being one of the safest forms of transport – is still staggering to me.

For a long time, though, becoming a pilot felt unrealistically ambitious, so I almost dismissed the idea. During my time at Esher, I built confidence in myself, and my gap year gave me time to properly think about what I wanted from my future career.

I wanted a job I could genuinely see myself doing for the next 30 or 40 years, and aviation felt like exactly that. Every day is different and the opportunities for growth are endless.

I’d definitely say my time at Esher, between 16 and 18, gave me the confidence to take responsibility for my future and not shy away from careers I once dismissed as “crazy”.

What training and qualifications do you need to become a pilot?
Becoming a pilot requires Maths and English GCSEs, along with a Class 1 medical certificate. Once you have those, you can apply to flight schools or begin building flying hours at a local air club towards a Commercial Pilot Licence.

I’d say the most challenging part is the level of sacrifice and commitment required. Most people see the flying itself, but behind the scenes there are late nights, early starts, extensive theoretical study and a rigorous training process.

That said, it’s moments like seeing the sunset from 40,000ft that make the entire journey worthwhile. It really is a privilege to have the best view in the plane and to safely take passengers to their destinations.

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Don’t rush! Although the goal may seem far away, there are plenty of things you can start doing now to move yourself closer to it.

Whether it’s taking part in enrichment opportunities at Esher, developing leadership and critical thinking skills, staying resilient through your courses or even taking your first few flying lessons, it all builds towards the bigger picture.

Being a pilot is much more than simply knowing how to fly. It’s about leadership, teamwork, responsibility, communication and workload management – all skills you can begin developing long before you step into a cockpit.

What’s your favourite chocolate bar and why?
Pocket Coffee Espresso has to be the ultimate hack at work. When you need both a coffee and a sweet snack, it’s the perfect all-rounder. I’ve always got some in my work bag!