Ángeles’ journey into aviation began long before she stepped into an aircraft cockpit. Coming from a small town in Spain, her curiosity about aircraft and the aviation industry was sparked at an early age through her travels abroad to learn English.

 

 

Despite having some initial concerns – notably about her glasses preventing her from becoming a pilot—she pursued a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Seville University. She cites her academic background and practical experience as laying a strong foundation in technical knowledge and problem-solving.

Her professional path took an unconventional turn when she gained work experience in Austria, building spacecraft with 3D printing technology. However, her desire to fly remained unwavering. The financial realities of becoming a pilot prompted her to seek alternative routes, until family circumstances changed allowing her to finally pursue her dream and start her aviation training. Ángeles joined FTE as part of Course 177, and recalls her time at FTE as a formative experience, where she built lifelong bonds with instructors and fellow students, and learned the importance of working cohesively as a crew.

Throughout her training, Ángeles found great joy in understanding the ‘why’ behind every operation. Her engineering background proved advantageous, allowing her to approach her studies with a logical mindset and a keen understanding of aircraft systems. She emphasizes the value of absorbing knowledge from instructors and staying connected with her peers. Her resilience and dedication paid off when she successfully completed her training and entered the professional world, initially flying for low-cost airlines before joining Iberia.

Since joining Iberia, Ángeles has amassed impressive experience, flying the A320 and A321XLR. One of her most remarkable achievements was flying Pope Leo XIV from Madrid to Barcelona on his first internal Spanish flight – an event that demanded much more than a typical flight, testing her ability to handle high-profile, meticulously planned flights with professionalism and composure. Ángeles describes the experience as the most significant flights in her career.

Looking back, Ángeles treasures her journey from a curious child to a seasoned aviator. Her story underscores the importance of perseverance, humility, and continuous learning in aviation. She advises aspiring pilots to work closely with their instructors, stay humble, and enjoy every moment of their training. Her path exemplifies how dedication and passion can lead to extraordinary opportunities, and she remains committed to sharing her experiences to inspire the next generation of pilots. If you’d like to learn more from Ángeles , please feel free to read the interview below!

 

 

How did FTE prepare you for the airlines?

“The ground school knowledge is directly applicable to the flying. I still use most of the theory every day when I fly”

There are direct relations between the ATPL theory subjects and flying. I have used small pieces on aviation knowledge to get me out of some potentially difficult situations, with the results being flights still being able to go ahead, allowing flights to continue operating while consistently maintaining operational safety and efficiency.

 

What are some of the most challenging things about the industry?

“You have to be resilient. You will have highs and lows, but just persevere – you don’t know what opportunities might arise”

Sometimes you can be riding a high, sometimes you will feel at your lowest. You don’t know how long each high or low will last. COVID was a very uncertain period, for example. But I thought to myself “I still have options”. I can go back to engineering, I became a ground school instructor at another school. I was waiting for the airlines to start recruiting, and you never know what opportunities might be available. One should always be prepared.

Highlight since finishing FTE??

“Flying the Pope from Madrid to Barcelona was something I’ll never forget”

I got an email while I was flying telling me I was going to fly the Pope from Madrid to Barcelona. I was so excited I started shaking, my heart started racing. It was amazing – every little detail about the flight had been planned, from security protocols to the flight number. I did interviews that appeared on TV in Argentina, Colombia, Germany and Italy. I was amazed at how far the coverage spread – it was worldwide.

 

 

What advice would you give to pilots at the start of their training?

“We are under a lot of pressure, but it is a privilege. Try to enjoy every step of the process”

I think sometimes it is easy to forget to enjoy the process. We are stressed all the time due to pressure to perform well, and sometimes that leads us to forget to enjoy the process. I really had a great time at FTE.

 

 

If you or someone you know would like to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight Series, please reach out to us at president@fteturbojet.com or careers@fteturbojet.com.