To celebrate International Women’s Day, we caught up with our female students about their journey to becoming a pilot in a male-dominated industry.
Anna Yashchenko grew up in a small town near the busiest airport in Russia, SVO.
Here she shares her story about why she chose to become a pilot, her experience training with Bristol Groundschool and what advice she would give to other women looking to become pilots.
How did you get into aviation?
Growing up next SVO, city life revolved around ensuring smooth arrivals and departures, and most of the residents were involved in aviation services. My dad was a flight engineer, and many of his friends were pilots. They shared fascinating stories with me, so I was immersed in an atmosphere of excitement about aviation.
One of our favourite childhood games was trying to identify the aircraft flying overhead and guessing where it might be headed. There was no FlightRadar app back then.
I knew very little about women in aviation, so I grew up with the false belief that there was no place for a woman in the cockpit. Despite always loving flying as a passenger, for some unknown reason, I never allowed myself to consider becoming a pilot.
One day, it simply clicked. I was already living in Ireland for nearly a decade and was coming back home from another business trip. During a challenging yet beautiful crosswind landing at Dublin Airport, I realised that I wanted flying to be a part of my life.
It suddenly dawned on me why I always choose to sit in the front left passenger seat by the window. It also became clear why my smartphone is filled with more pictures of aircraft and skyviews than photos of my kids and selfies combined.
That day, on the way back from the airport, I found myself Googling ways to become a pilot. After having worked as a doctor, a commercialisation specialist at Google, and a school director, I thought, “Why not give it a try?”
During the Summer, I researched various pathways to pursue my goal and visited several flight schools across Europe. Considering I have a household with two young children and a full-time job, I opted for the modular training route.
In the Fall, I successfully completed my Private Pilot License (PPL) at Fly-in-Spain with the guidance of my brilliant instructor, Tom Barton, who actually is a graduate of BGS. I was fortunate to have a great start and gained a lot of motivation to continue.
Following the attainment of my PPL, I enrolled with Bristol GS for my ATPL studies in the spring of 2023. Currently, I have passed 8 exams with scores exceeding 92% and am preparing for my final revision week with BGS.
Why did you choose a career as a pilot?
- I’m amazed by the ingenuity of engineering minds that enable these massive steel birds to soar through the sky and transport people and cargo across the world at incredible speeds. I have completed Principles of Flight, but I still consider it a scientific marvel and aspire to be a part of it.
- I adore the people in the aviation industry. Thus far, I have encountered only positive, responsible, fair, and meticulous individuals with whom I thoroughly enjoy spending time.
- I admire the structure of the aviation industry, where clear instructions govern most actions, and operations and regulations are thoroughly defined. Nonetheless, there remains a unique art to making well-timed decisions for optimal outcomes. It’s a haven for a perfectionist like me!
- I appreciate the unconventional work hours in the aviation industry. Even though I spent 15 years in an office, I still struggle to adapt to the traditional 9-5 schedule.
- Travelling has been my passion for a long time, and having the opportunity to witness the Earth’s most breathtaking views from the cockpit is a significant advantage.
What’s your favourite part about being a pilot?
I enjoy that the pilot role requires various skills, such as analytical, technical, decision-making, risk assessment and prevention, communication, leadership, and flying skills. I think it would be too boring if it were only about steering the wheel.
I like the feeling of being responsible for the entire journey, starting with planning the route, checking the weather and NOTAMS, moving on to the necessary calculations and documentation, and conducting the briefing. All of this sets the right mood for the flight and gives a clear overview of what you are actually going to do.
I also enjoy CRM and interacting with the people in aviation, as it fosters a sense of teamwork in making the world accessible to others.
What’s been the best part of your pilot training so far?
Two aspects: acquiring knowledge and actually taking flight.
- Every day, as I delve deeper into the theory of flying, I uncover fascinating facts, dependencies, tips, and tricks. I am constantly amazed and intrigued, wow!
- The wonder doubles when everything falls into place and I am finally up in the air. After hours of preparation, aircraft inspection, and completing all the necessary checklists, receiving clearance for take-off is exhilarating. As I gather speed on the runway, the power of lift takes over and the journey begins!
How are you finding/did you find studying for your ATPL theory exams with BGS?
I love BGS. If it weren’t for BGS, I believe it would be extremely difficult for individuals juggling jobs and kids to make any progress with the theoretical course. I appreciate the flexibility of online studies and the accessibility of all the necessary materials, allowing me to study at my own pace. The material is well-structured and divided into manageable sections, allowing me to study whenever I have free time.
One drawback of self-study is the uncertainty of whether you have truly grasped the material, but BGS addresses this issue effectively. They offer quizzes, webinars, revision weeks, and readily available support, ensuring that the knowledge I have gained is accurate.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to complete the ATPL theory and pursue the required ratings, hours and courses in order to secure a job. I continue to explore various interesting roles beyond traditional commercial aviation. For example, I met a pilot who studies shark behaviour, a child-ambulance aircraft pilot, a fire-fighter pilot, and an agricultural pilot. It’s clear that there are countless exciting opportunities in the aviation industry, and I am confident that the right role for me is out there. However, my main priority now is to focus on completing my studies.
What advice would you give other women looking to become a pilot?
Don’t hesitate, just give it a try! Taking action is the best way to dispel doubts. Visit a flying school or aeroclub nearby and try a few lessons. Reach out to pilots in your favourite airlines on LinkedIn to learn about their journey. Gathering practical information will help you make a decision.
Becoming an airline pilot requires commitment, time, money, and responsibilities. However, there are also other roles in aviation and various ways to fly. Most importantly, there are many people who will support you in finding your path. Go, girl!
