The journey of becoming a pilot can be challenging — requiring discipline, adaptability and huge resilience in the face of setbacks. There are not many who have demonstrated these qualities as much as our newest Alumni Spotlight, Nadia Ismail. We were delighted to sit down with her and chat about her route to the flight deck and her experiences along the way.

 

 

Having had limited exposure to the aviation industry growing up, Nadia developed a strong desire to understand more about aviation after seeing the MH370 investigation coverage in the news, giving her a first insight into the industry as a whole. In school she chose subjects relevant to aviation, concluding in a very successful extended project qualification in her final year focusing on the MH370 investigation itself and theories surrounding the disappearance, further fuelling her interest in the field.

At university, Nadia studied Avionics Systems with Pilot Studies. It was while at university Nadia that joined the University Air Squadron, eventually having her first flight at Liverpool Flying School and going on to travel to places such as Norway, Germany and Austria as part of the air squadron, with a personal highlight being the aerobatics flights she completed.

It was also at University that Nadia applied to the Thomas Cook monitored ATPL programme, securing one of just six places available, training at FTEJerez. After finding out she had been successful in her application, Nadia left uni for a move to Spain. However, with Thomas Cook unfortunately going bust, and COVID-19 closing the school, she re-enrolled in university to finish her degree. Deciding to go down the self-sponsored route instead, Nadia rejoined FTE in February of 2021, and completed her flight training in August 2022.

Unfortunately, this was not the end of the challenges Nadia would have to face on her path to the flight deck. Due to Brexit, Nadia discovered that her EASA Austro license was not applicable in the UK, resulting in her having to complete all 13 ATPL exams again.

While studying for these exams, she got a job at FlyBe, working as an OCC controller. Unfortunately, FlyBe also ceased operations in early 2023, leaving Nadia once again without a job. After posting on LinkedIn and advertising her story, she was offered a job at Virgin Atlantic which she accepted, again working in operations.

Despite the setbacks, Nadia was thankful for the process, stating that she learned so much from her experience working in operations roles, using this to support her application for EasyJet, where she has been for the last 2 and a half years, and recently surpassing 1500 hours as a First Officer. Please take the time to read through some of the responses Nadia gave in her interview with her below. We promise you’ll be inspired!

 

 

What was your highlight from your time at FTEJerez?

“The people I met and the connections I made, without a doubt. I still keep in contact with them when I can. From a flying perspective, the UPRT flights over the lake in the training area were just amazing”

The friendships I built there are lifelong — we’re still in close contact and meet up whenever we can, even though we’re now based in different countries.

From a flying perspective, one of my standout memories was flying the Robin and doing aerobatics over Bornos Lake. It was such a unique experience and really reminded me why I fell in love with flying in the first place.

I also really valued the sense of community at FTE. Getting involved in student activities, like helping organise events, added so much to the overall experience and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Looking back, it wasn’t just the training itself, but the environment, the people, and the shared journey that made my time at FTEJerez so memorable.

“I appeared on a television programme called The Piano, for which I did some filming at work. EasyJet were so accommodating, and from that I was invited to do interviews for Airliner World magazine and to be a part of the new uniform launch for the company. It was really special to combine my work with my hobby.”

One of the biggest highlights has been the overall flying experience itself. The variety of destinations, the views from the cockpit, and the dynamic nature of the operation make every day unique. It’s something I never take for granted.

A particularly special moment was being featured on the TV show The Piano, where I was able to combine my passion for music with my career as a pilot. Sharing that side of my life, while also representing aviation, was a really memorable experience.

Overall, it’s the combination of flying, the people, and the opportunities beyond the flight deck that has made my time at easyJet so rewarding.

“Know as much as you can about the airline. Present and be yourself as much as you can. Show your personality in interviews and allow this to show your passion for the airline as well as the industry.”

During the selection process, be yourself. easyJet is looking for people with personality, passion, and a real motivation to be part of their operation. Let that come through naturally rather than trying to fit a certain mould.
The assessments are largely competency-based, so prepare examples from your own experience — whether from training, university, or previous work — where you’ve demonstrated decision-making, teamwork, or resilience.

I’d also highly recommend making the most of the support available at FTEJerez. The preparation sessions they offer are extremely helpful in understanding what to expect and how to approach each stage of the process.
Finally, get involved as much as you can during your training — whether that’s through student committees or extracurricular activities. It helps you build confidence, develop interpersonal skills, and ultimately makes you a stronger candidate.

 

How did your experience working in airline operations shape you as a pilot?

“Working in operations before joining easyJet was incredibly valuable and gave me a completely different perspective on the industry.”

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.

At Flybe and later at Virgin Atlantic, I was involved in real-time decision-making, flight planning, and supporting crews during live operations.

It taught me how complex airline operations are behind the scenes — from managing delays to understanding how quickly situations can evolve. I also developed strong communication skills, especially when speaking directly with pilots during time-critical situations.

Most importantly, it helped me build resilience and stay calm under pressure, which is essential in the cockpit. When I started flying, I already had a much broader understanding of how everything fits together, and I think that really helped me transition into the role more confidently.

 

 

Looking back, my journey hasn’t been the most straightforward, but every challenge has shaped me into the pilot I am today. From navigating industry uncertainty to retraining and gaining experience outside the cockpit, each step taught me something valuable.
What I’m most grateful for is the foundation I built at FTEJerez. The training, the support, and the people around me played a huge role in getting me to where I am now.

My advice to current cadets is to trust the process. You’re in one of the best training environments, and even if the path doesn’t go exactly as planned, opportunities will come. Stay resilient, stay passionate, and keep moving forward — it will all come together in the end.”

 

 

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.