As I sit down to write this, I’m only 4 weeks away from heading to Australia to start my Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA). It all started with an aerobatic flight in the UK back in 2017. At that moment, it was simply an adrenaline pumping experience, just for fun, nothing more. I never thought that one day it’d spark a deeper passion or lead me to consider aviation as a career.
Nope, I’m not a Cathay cadet. I’m doing this on my own as a private student. (Yes, you can do this independently.) And this is just the starting point. With FTA’s suite of programs, I’m already looking ahead to see how far this journey can take me.
Emotionally, it’s like a mixed bag. I’m thrilled, for sure. Just two years ago, I thought I’d be content with just a Private Pilot License (PPL) as a hobby, but look at me now. That said, there’s also an undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty. Getting a job straight out of flight school isn’t a guaranteed. But this path gives me the unique chance to explore the aviation industry on my own terms. Ideally, I’d love to pursue something related to aerobatics cos it’s where this whole journey began. At the same time, I also feel a sense of bittersweetness knowing I’ll be away from my friends for quite a bit. Guys come visit and keep the memes coming please. While the future is uncertain, I’m excited to see what opportunities lie ahead.
Financially, I must admit, it’s such a privilege to do this. Aviation isn’t exactly pocket change, but not entire out of reach either. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to chase the skies. It’s like joining a club with a rather high entrance fee, but the benefits are literally up in the air.
As for expectations, I’m setting my own bar. Here’s my best guess: First, I expect to be a lower priority compared to airline cadets. From a business standpoint, airlines bring in much, much more money than individual private students like me. My lifetime value at FTA is prolly around A$600k i reckon while airlines deal in billions. Second, I expect this course to be intense — academically, mentally and physically. Going from zero to a CPL holder in just 31 weeks is no small feat. I could’ve chosen a non-integrated route, taking my time, but I prefer to get it done as quickly as possible. I’ll revisit this at the end of 2025 to see how close I was… should be fun to reflect on.
Welcome aboard Cody Pacific. LFG.
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