Awesome: EasyJet Hires A Teenage Pilot! - A320 Family

Awesome: EasyJet Hires A Teenage Pilot!

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:11:05 +0000

When I was younger I always wanted to be an airline pilot. It was my biggest dream. Things change over time, and while that never materialized, I guess I can't complain about my current situation too much. ;) Nonetheless I still believe that this office... ...is even better than this "office." In the back of…

Continue reading: Awesome: EasyJet Hires A Teenage Pilot!

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

Jakob — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 14:12:48 +0000

Catch me if you can springs to mind :-)

Bhindar Dundat — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:43:54 +0000

@losingtrader I agree with much of what you've said. What folks fail to realize is that at such a young age, the total time spent manipulating the controls in the cockpit is usually very low. Additionally, in the case of a "commercial pilot" with 300 hours total time, that most likely equates to one (1) hour of experience 200-250 times . While that may not be the case with this young pilot, US air carriers will NOT and cannot hire this young man to sit right seat due to his "inexperience". He may be well trained, but the FAA requires that ALL new hires now have 1500 hours TT (with some reductions for past experience) before the pilot may fly for a Part 121 Carrier (that would be all jet and heavy turboprop airlines with US Certificate of Operations). This is primarily due to the Regional Airline accident several years ago in BUF and the ensuing knee jerk reaction of Congress. Being an excellent pilot is directly related to having excellent training and varied operational experience. Unfortunately, PC has found it's way into the flight decks (formerly known as cockpits) of many airlines and pilots who are minimally qualified are hired. In years past, if a pilot couldn't perform within the prescribed syllabus, they were terminated by the airline. Now, in many cases, it is "train to proficiency" (read pass the simulator check ride) and put them on the line. I think it's difficult to "teach" a pilot to become a Captain, while CRM (crew resource management) has helped, it takes many years to "learn" how to become an experienced Captain. While that may not necessarily be a function of age, it is a function of time and experience. @Dima Not every pilot is babysitting the autopilot. I will agree that much of the tedious en-route flying is better handled by the autopilot, a pilot still needs to be completely aware of what it is doing as evidenced by the recent Airbus loss of control accidents. I had been flying Boeings and DC-9's then moved to the Lockheed L-1011. I always suspected that with the technology advancements made, the Flight Engineer position would be history. That is until I flew the L-1011 Tristar. The L-1011 was so technologically advanced (in 1980) that I started thinking that the pilots would soon be obsolete and the Fight Engineer would remain. Technology has evolved to this being possible . . . but not plausible. I for one will not be flying in any aircraft where the pilot has been replaced by a technician that is babysitting the autopilot, either in person or especially from the ground. I want someone who can take over and override when the autopilot and the computer farts, which they all do on occasion. Passengers should not be the only ones on-board that have "skin-in-the-game".

fellowtraveller — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 12:37:59 +0000

@dalo: Why could you not legally fly airplanes at 19? I was licensed and instrument-rated at 17, commercial pilot and flight instructor at 18. At the time there was not a demand for airline pilots and the corporate pilots I saw did not have glamorous lives...sleeping in FBO's and available at a moment's notice. It's not that glamorous a job any longer. As to the personal comments, "cute" isn't going to save your life in an emergency. It's long been said flying is long hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. I can attest to the veracity of that. There are certain experiences one has when gaining hours --experiences the pilot says to himself, "well, I'll never do that again." It's not a question of age, rather of flight hours.

dalo — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 08:04:21 +0000

At his age I could not legally fly airplanes but, I did go to war .You know , life and death stuff . Some do not have the presence of mind and self discipline needed at any age . I would not bet against him . Best of luck to him.

psyched — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 06:21:57 +0000

I stopped reading after "his father is a pilot at easyjet" . On another note, is he single? Asking for a friend.

Mark Miller — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:37:57 +0000

I don't want a pilot or first officer that took the quick route. How about a 15 year old pilot? How about 12? No more ridiculous than a 19 year old first officer. I wouldn't be comfortable flying with him.

Kaj — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:07:06 +0000

I don't see an issue with age. A younger pilot is more apt to have better eyesight, quicker reflexes, and more stamina. That said, an experienced pilot probably has a better instinct on how to react to an unusual situation. While this young man didn't get his experience in the military, I'll take a guy who can land a plane on a heaving flight deck any day of the week.

James L — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:18:11 +0000

@robert hanson. You should also add BA to that list then. This tailstrike was caused by a first officer with just 143 hours on type and 302 hours in total and was flying for BA. http://avherald.com/h?article=489f6bd0&opt=0

Donna — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:49:48 +0000

I'm sure they aren't paying these young pilots much which is probably the fundamental reason they have 18 year old pilots. Frankly I would prefer that inexperienced pilots do their "internships" elsewhere like the military rather than on a commercial airline. I'll take experience over youth in every situation. Six months in a simulator is no substitute for 1500 hours of actual flight time.........