<p>This month I have been preparing for the next stage of my pilot training: Core Flying.</p>
<p>There are two reasons I’m hugely excited about this phase of training. Firstly, after all the theoretical knowledge gained from the flight school stage, I will finally be behind the controls of a plane for the first time. This will be a truly unique experience; one I have been waiting a long time for.</p>
<p><img alt="Jieun Kwong - Life as a cadet" src="/getasset/2b05b176-1171-4b66-a2ca-963a46a6e874/" /></p>
<p>Secondly, the core flying phase of the programme will take me to Australia where I will be training with Airways Aviation, a partner of Alpha Aviation Academy. I have been to Australia before when I worked as cabin crew at Emirates but this time, I’ll be living and breathing the Australian East Coast for three months. Living next to the beach will be a plus!</p>
<p>For the move to Australia, I needed to secure a visa and undertake a simple medical test. In order to secure the visa, one has to apply with an aviation reference number to prove that he/she is a current pilot cadet. Once I arrive, I’ll be doing a few more weeks of ground school. After this, I will then – along with the rest of my batch – be flying five days a week on a Cessna 172; firstly, with an instructor and later solo.</p>
<p>Having a few weeks before my core flying starts has given me a good opportunity to reflect on everything I have experienced as a cadet since my training begun. Many people will be curious about the work/life balance of a pilot cadet and the intensity and atmosphere of the programme.</p>
<p>Yes, life as a pilot cadet can be challenging; there are a lot of different modules and exams to work through and at times, it can certainly be stressful. However, we do maintain a good balance and as a batch, the cadets and instructors are very friendly and work to support each other.</p>
<p>Some of my colleagues are very fun to be around, making jokes and bringing in food for the rest of the class. At the weekend, when we get time to relax, one of my favourite activities is eating out. Most of my friends at Alpha are from the UAE so we’ll frequently go out and eat together.</p>
<p>There is a real mixture of cadets from all over the world studying at Alpha and of course, you get different personality types. Some of them are very young and enthusiastic, having just graduated from high school, whilst others (including myself) are former professionals who are establishing a new career.</p>
<p>Certain students are perhaps more naturally reserved from others. Some of the Asian students, for example, can be a little less talkative than cadets from Western countries. Others are slightly more competitive and may study more than they socialise. Regardless of personality type, everyone is motivated and doing well.</p>
<p>I often get asked about being a female cadet. It is estimated that only 3% of the world’s commercial pilots are women. While I would of course like to see greater female representation, I have never felt uncomfortable or in a minority as a woman. Indeed, I will be heading to Australia with four other female cadets and so, I do not ever feel as though I am by myself.</p>
<p>I look forward to updating you next month on the latest developments from the Australian West Coast!</p>
<hr />
<p>Did you miss out on the other blogs from Jieun Kwon? No worries, you can easily find them below: </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-my-journey-to-becoming-a-commercial-airline-pilot-episode-1/" onclick="s_objectID="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-my-journey-to-becoming-a-commercial-airline-pilo_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">Jieun Kwon - My journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot - Episode 1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-2-the-application-process-/" onclick="s_objectID="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-2-the-application-process-/_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">Jieun Kwon Diary #2: The Application Process</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-3-ground-school-/">Jieun Kwon Diary #3: Ground School</a></li>
</ul>
<p>There are two reasons I’m hugely excited about this phase of training. Firstly, after all the theoretical knowledge gained from the flight school stage, I will finally be behind the controls of a plane for the first time. This will be a truly unique experience; one I have been waiting a long time for.</p>
<p><img alt="Jieun Kwong - Life as a cadet" src="/getasset/2b05b176-1171-4b66-a2ca-963a46a6e874/" /></p>
<p>Secondly, the core flying phase of the programme will take me to Australia where I will be training with Airways Aviation, a partner of Alpha Aviation Academy. I have been to Australia before when I worked as cabin crew at Emirates but this time, I’ll be living and breathing the Australian East Coast for three months. Living next to the beach will be a plus!</p>
<p>For the move to Australia, I needed to secure a visa and undertake a simple medical test. In order to secure the visa, one has to apply with an aviation reference number to prove that he/she is a current pilot cadet. Once I arrive, I’ll be doing a few more weeks of ground school. After this, I will then – along with the rest of my batch – be flying five days a week on a Cessna 172; firstly, with an instructor and later solo.</p>
<p>Having a few weeks before my core flying starts has given me a good opportunity to reflect on everything I have experienced as a cadet since my training begun. Many people will be curious about the work/life balance of a pilot cadet and the intensity and atmosphere of the programme.</p>
<p>Yes, life as a pilot cadet can be challenging; there are a lot of different modules and exams to work through and at times, it can certainly be stressful. However, we do maintain a good balance and as a batch, the cadets and instructors are very friendly and work to support each other.</p>
<p>Some of my colleagues are very fun to be around, making jokes and bringing in food for the rest of the class. At the weekend, when we get time to relax, one of my favourite activities is eating out. Most of my friends at Alpha are from the UAE so we’ll frequently go out and eat together.</p>
<p>There is a real mixture of cadets from all over the world studying at Alpha and of course, you get different personality types. Some of them are very young and enthusiastic, having just graduated from high school, whilst others (including myself) are former professionals who are establishing a new career.</p>
<p>Certain students are perhaps more naturally reserved from others. Some of the Asian students, for example, can be a little less talkative than cadets from Western countries. Others are slightly more competitive and may study more than they socialise. Regardless of personality type, everyone is motivated and doing well.</p>
<p>I often get asked about being a female cadet. It is estimated that only 3% of the world’s commercial pilots are women. While I would of course like to see greater female representation, I have never felt uncomfortable or in a minority as a woman. Indeed, I will be heading to Australia with four other female cadets and so, I do not ever feel as though I am by myself.</p>
<p>I look forward to updating you next month on the latest developments from the Australian West Coast!</p>
<hr />
<p>Did you miss out on the other blogs from Jieun Kwon? No worries, you can easily find them below: </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-my-journey-to-becoming-a-commercial-airline-pilot-episode-1/" onclick="s_objectID="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-my-journey-to-becoming-a-commercial-airline-pilo_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">Jieun Kwon - My journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot - Episode 1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-2-the-application-process-/" onclick="s_objectID="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-2-the-application-process-/_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">Jieun Kwon Diary #2: The Application Process</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/jieun-kwon-diary-3-ground-school-/">Jieun Kwon Diary #3: Ground School</a></li>
</ul>