No stranger to FTEJerez, alumna Anne Kirwan is a regular visitor to campus in her role as Cadet Liaison Pilot, supporting the Aer Lingus cadets currently training at FTE as part of the very same course she once completed herself.

 

 

Anne balances this role alongside her position as a pilot with Aer Lingus, where she is currently converting back to A320 ops, having previously spent several years on the A330, operating long-haul flights throughout North America.

Anne was just 15 years old when she first considered a career in aviation after spotting a careers-in-aviation poster on the wall at her school. At the time, it felt so far removed from reality that she put the idea to the back of her mind.

A few years later, exposure to airline operations through a family friend gave Anne a real sense of what the career involved, and she knew she needed to find a way to turn what once felt like a far-fetched dream into reality.

While studying Health and Performance Sciences in UCD, Anne applied to the Aer Lingus cadetship twice. Although she reached the interview stage on one occasion, she was unsuccessful. Rather than giving up, she decided to take control of her own path and explore the modular route once she finished college. It was then that she began flying out of Weston Airport, where she flew with an instructor who was also a Training Captain with Aer Lingus who encouraged her to go to FTEJerez to train.

In January 2016, Anne did just that, joining Course 156. She found herself training alongside Aer Lingus-sponsored cadets, and it was during this time that one of them encouraged her to reapply for the cadetship. She did — and this time, she was successful.

Anne joined Aer Lingus in April 2017, spending her first two years on the A320 before transitioning to the A330, where she remained for six years. Two of those years coincided with COVID operations, which resulted in limited flying; however, she still completed eight trips to Beijing during this period.

Flight during COVID in the A330 to Beijing.

Despite the disruption, the time reinforced just how much she enjoys the job. She was also selected as part of the crew for Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight to Denver.

Inaugural flight from Dublin to Denver on 17th of May 2024.

In November 2025, Anne converted back to the A320, which she currently flies alongside her Cadet Liaison role. She was also recently married to another self-sponsored cadet she met during her time at FTEJerez — two courses behind of her at the time — who now also flies as an A320 First Officer with Aer Lingus.

On the left, Anne with Andrew, who she met during her training. On the right, celebrating their wedding day.

 

 

Early life & why did you want to become a pilot?

Aviation wasn’t something that crossed my mind until I saw a poster in the career guidance hall at school. Even then, I put it to the back of my mind as at that age and naïveté it felt like something “akin to being an astronaut.”

That changed after I was exposed to airline operations through a family friend and had the opportunity to go on trips. Seeing the role up close made me realise this was something I really wanted to pursue. I applied for the Aer Lingus cadetship twice, and when I was unsuccessful, I began looking into the modular route once I finished college.

It was during this time that I started flying out of Weston, where I happened to fly with an instructor who was also the Cadet Liaison Pilot with Aer Lingus. His advice was simple: “You need to get yourself down to FTEJerez.” Eventually, that’s exactly what I did.

 

Favourite aspect of Training at FTEJerez?

How sociable it was. You live with people who quickly become like family — you spend so much time together that you form really close bonds.

From a flying perspective, Diamond flying, without question. It was class.

 

Most Challenging Moments at FTEJerez?

The first 20 weeks were definitely an onslaught of information — the classic analogy of “drinking water from a fire hose” that everyone experiences.

However, the Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor and the ground school team have an incredible way of keeping it engaging, which makes the intensity manageable.

 

Highlights since joining Aer Lingus?

There have been so many — from day-to-day flying to the sociable long-haul trips on the A330 to destinations like LA and Las Vegas. Every day is a highlight if you think hard enough!

“Flying guidance counsellors around Ireland — including my own from 20 years ago — was a real full-circle moment.”

Guidance Counsellors.

One particularly special full-circle moment came last year when I was part of the crew flying 300 guidance counselors around Ireland. The initiative, launched by Captain Karl O’Neill, aimed to give counsellors exposure to aviation careers so they could better guide future students. What made it especially meaningful for me was that my own guidance counsellor from 20 years ago was on that flight.

It was also incredibly special for me to have the opportunity to land back in Jerez in the A330, returning to the place where I completed my training. It was a surreal moment insofar that the last time I had carried out that approach, it was on significantly smaller equipment. Yet another full circle moment.

A330 landed in Jerez.

Another real highlight for me during my career is seeing cadets I’ve supported during training once they’re qualified and operating on the line — it’s incredibly rewarding to see them back at base, out on their own in the world and going about their day to day.

 

Cadet liaison role & balancing this with flying?

The liaison role is very much a blue-moon posting — it doesn’t come up often, and when it does, it’s extremely popular. It’s a single vacancy with a high level of interest, and it was always in the back of my mind that if it ever came up, I’d love to do it.

“Settling cadets in on their first day at FTE and then seeing them back at base in Dublin as fully-fledged pilots is something I find extremely rewarding.”

Recent FTE Graduation with Aer Lingus cadets.

When I was offered the role, I was genuinely surprised and absolutely delighted. I loved my time at FTE, so being able to return regularly is really special. I almost feel like I get to relive my time there vicariously through the cadets.

I’m incredibly proud to do this role and have met some amazing people through it. Seeing someone on their very first day, supporting them throughout their journey, and then later seeing them fully qualified, in uniform, and operating on the line with Aer Lingus is mind-blowing.

In terms of balancing the role with flying, it comes down to good planning. When I know the liaison role will be busy, I work closely with the operations team well in advance to block off time for visits. It can sometimes eat into days off due to the unpredictable nature of the role, but overall it’s absolutely worth it.

I feel very lucky to have had — and to continue to have —  this opportunity.

 

Advice for students starting at FTEJerez?

Stick together and don’t isolate yourself. It’s easy to think everyone else is coping fine while you’re the one struggling, but the reality is that most people are feeling the same pressure — you’re not alone.

“Stick together. Chances are everyone around you is feeling the same pressure you are.”

FTE Diamond flying.

“You get out what you put in — work hard, play hard, and soak it all in because it’s over in a flash.”

The advice given to me by that instructor in Weston before I commenced training in FTE was a cliché, but it’s true: you get out what you put in. Work hard, play hard, and enjoy the freedom of flying light aircraft — it’s something you may never experience again in the same way. Soak it all in, because it’s over in a flash. Keep your eyes on the prize of course, but don’t forget to enjoy the everyday of FTE.

 

EI Base Training.

 

Tips for getting sponsored and preparing for recruitment?

Honesty is key. People often think there’s a secret formula for what recruiters want, but there isn’t. They want sincerity — your experiences, your personality, and what you bring to the table.

I’d also say it’s really important to prepare. Have a genuine interest in aviation and make sure you understand the course you’re applying for. There’s so much material out there — you can immerse yourself in the industry and get a wider understanding. Doing your research and showing that interest can make a real difference.

When it comes to interviews, competency-based questions make up about 50% of the process, and even the strongest candidates can fall down if they’re not ready. For questions like ‘Tell me about a time when…’, dig deep — you’ll find plenty of examples from college, friendships, or everyday life that you can use. Soft skills are just as important as technical knowledge, yet they’re often overlooked.

Understand, and be realistic about the demands of the job, and convey this to the interview panel.

And finally — relax. You want them to see the real you, and the real you isn’t a bag of nerves. Put whatever strategies you need in place to stay calm and authentic.

 

 

My 15 months at FTE were, without question, some of the best of my life. The school delivers in terms of ground and flight training, and prepares you thoroughly for the realities of airline operations. But beyond the high quality of training delivered, it’s the people — both peers and staff — who truly define the experience. I gained friendships that will last a lifetime, and memories I’ll carry with me forever. To reiterate the advice, I was given early on — you’ll get out of it what you put in — it couldn’t have been more true.

FTE is a place that rewards commitment, curiosity, and camaraderie. Throwing oneself into the journey outputs far more than just the license paperwork at the end, and there is so much to be gained here. I am incredibly grateful for my time at FTE, both as a student, and in my current capacity as Cadet Liaison Pilot.”

 

 

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.