In this special AvGeek series, Flight Chic guest writer Rida Khan has candid conversations with pilots who share their passion for flight and what inspired them to pursue a life in the clouds.
To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love flying, the sky is home. Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards. There you find your wings. All you have to do is FLY.
Pilot Thibault Eireen is originally from France. After completing a masters degree in mathematics and physics, he worked as a sales engineer for 5 years.
In November 2011, with his first salary, he was able to pursue his childhood dream: learning to fly and becoming a pilot. Six years later, he can finally say that he is living his dream working as a pilot.
Thibault Eireen’s father has worked as a professional helicopter pilot for more than 30 years and has always shared his passion for flying. He tells us that aviation is in his DNA.
Q: Tell us about your experience getting started as a pilot?
Eireen: I started the type rating course seven months ago and have been flying in line for approximately three months, so this is very recent. It is pure bliss! I am really delighted to fly and this confirms that all the effort I’ve made was totally worth it. Going to work with a smile on your face is priceless.
Q: How did you feel once you finally got your wings?
Eireen: That was the best feeling ever. Even today, it’s hard to realise that I’m flying aircraft for a living and getting paid for it—that’s the icing on the cake! So I feel blessed and lucky to live my passion.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
Eireen: After having worked as an engineer for five years, I now realise how lucky I am to have such a nice office in the sky. It is a feeling of ecstasy when your passion becomes your job. I get great satisfaction flying such a nice aircraft to so many destinations. Every flight is unique, you’ll always have something to learn. I enjoy working with passionate colleagues, the atmosphere is very friendly between crew members. And, because there is life after work, the roster is great and allows you to either travel or practice various activities during days off!
Q: Do you enjoy travelling more as a passenger or as a Pilot?
Eireen: I love travelling in an aircraft, and even more when I’m at the controls! The view is also better from the flight deck.
Q: What are some of your goals for the future?
Eireen: For now, I’m really focused on building strong pilot skills and getting familiar with this new aircraft. One thing leading to another..with the appropriate experience and maturity as a pilot..I’ll probably apply to our command upgrade course when I’ll meet the requirements and feel ready to assume these new responsibilities.
[ends]
After having a great conversation with Pilot Thibault Eireen, it’s clear that he is a person whose dreams come true because he has the courage to pursue them.
Follow Pilot Thibault Eireen on Instagram: @flyin.k
Guest writer Rida Khan is a foodie blogger with a hunger for a big slice of the skies. A native of Bhopal, India, Khan writes about food and aviation and is working on an airline in-flight food research project. She also posts healthy food recipes for pilots and travellers on social media.
You can follow Rida Khan on Social Media:
Twitter : @mohd_ridakhan
Instagram : @ridakhan_21
Food Blog: Innovative Dishes On Your Way