Onward and upward!

For those who have been reading my blog posts, you know that I have not been that happy living in Norway. Being an “appendix” to Pachal in a way, not having a real career or purpose of my own, with my own flight training plans being delayed and cancelled… Well, things are finally looking up!

I realised some weeks ago that, after having worked in Norway full-time for two years, I am entitled to student loans! And Norway is the only country I know that offers government student loans for flight training. So this is the reason I had to be here for this long!
Five years ago, when I planned for the change I wanted to make, helicopter was my preferred choice. But after exploring more and talking to several helicopter pilots, I decided to choose airplanes because of the slightly better job market and the lower costs of training and flying. However, now that chances are little in either case and financial options are equal, I might as well take a chance on my first choice!

Because I didn’t have physics in school, I studied for two weeks straight before I did the admissions test for the European Helicopter Center (EHC). I realised afterwards that I didn’t need to have studied that much… It was all very logical! I did the test on Monday and on Friday they welcomed me as a student! All I need to decide now is when to start and which programme: the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Considering my age and how near-impossible it will be to gain the hours and experience required for airline transport flying before I’m 45, I will pursue the CPL. I’m not blind towards my chances of succeeding, but I also know that I will do anything and I don’t mind living out of a backpack for a while, working for little pay in remote areas. I kind of like it, even without the flying aspect!

I can always do what I do now, or what I did before, with my current background and skills. Taking a chance on something I really love – even when it’s late(r) in life – I know I won’t regret it, even if it works out differently than intended. I know I will forever regret it if I don’t take this opportunity with both hands and feet!