Cadet Profile - Simon Deighton

It’s been an exciting time for me over the last five years as I have seen my childhood ambition become reality. Walking into the First Choice crew room at Manchester and seeing First Officer Simon Deighton on the sign-in sheet is a great feeling and at only twenty four years of age I know that there is still a lot more to come. As with most pilots, flying is something I have always wanted to do and I chose my education to reflect this.

After my A-Levels I studied Aviation Technology and Pilot Studies at the University of Leeds which was a unique course at the time, giving students forty hours flying experience as well as teaching core academic subjects and ATPL related theory. In my final year CTC Aviation, who were interested in the course, sent the head of CTC Wings to the University and I was fortunate to sit in on the meeting. Afterwards, I knew that CTC was the course I wanted to get on to. I applied as soon as I got home and within a few months (and four intense application stages later) I was jetting out to New Zealand as the newest member of the CTC Wings programme! Within eighteen months I had my frozen ATPL, a type rating on the A320 family and a place in the right hand seat of a First Choice Airways Airbus ready to start on the line.

But what is actually involved in a flight? For me it usually begins the day before where I look over the aerodrome procedures, special requirements and any recent weather so that I can be as prepared as I can be for a flight, especially so when I am going to a new destination. On the day of the flight the captain and I report an hour before departure and run through all of the pre flight planning, which includes weather, NOTAMS, fuel planning, loading and performance and anything else that we feel that we need to discuss in order to achieve a safe and efficient flight. We also decide who will fly which sectors. I always try to fly outbound even if it is a new destination so I can gain as much experience as possible. On reaching the aircraft I go up to the cockpit to start on the flight deck preparations whilst the captain does the walk round. There are a number of elements to setting up the aircraft ready for the flight from checking the aircraft systems to setting up the flight computer with both navigational and performance data. Whilst I am running through my elements, it is important to mention the cabin crew who are preparing the cabin for the awaiting passengers who usually arrive in a cheery and excited manner as they look to start their holiday with us. After the captain returns to the flight deck, the cockpit preparation usually culminates in a departure brief given by the pilot who will fly the sector and includes a quick overview of the taxi routes, instrument departure, performance and abnormal procedures. Clearances, pushback, engine start and taxiing follows. I operate the radio, speaking to the various ATC frequencies whilst the captain will taxi. It is also my responsibility to monitor what the captain is doing, as it is his job to also check what I am doing. This way we both have a clear picture of the aircraft and its surroundings. This is known as ‘situational awareness’ and is very important for safe flying and is as important on the ground as it is in the air.

Once we are ready for takeoff the duties of the pilots falls into two categories; Pilot Flying and Pilot Not Flying. The Pilot Flying will concentrate on flying aircraft whilst the Pilot Not Flying will be concerned with all other duties and will respond to requests given by the Pilot Flying; for example, retracting the landing gear, flaps and operating the majority of other aircraft systems. Upon reaching cruising altitude more checks are completed; fuel, time and system checks are done at least every half hour and weather for en route airports is obtained via the radio in case of an emergency. I like to let the passengers know a bit about the flight too; ranging from altitude and speed to any landmarks they might be able to see. I also try to read the aircraft flight manuals so my knowledge and understanding of the aircraft is as high as it can be. Before descent an approach brief is given in a similar style to the departure brief, so both pilots understand how the flight can be completed safely. After an efficient approach and smooth touchdown (hopefully), we arrive on stand at our destination. The roles are then reversed, so I will go out and do the walk round. It never fails to put a smile on my face to look up at the aeroplane whilst I am checking it ready for our return trip. There are some exciting times and opportunities ahead in the company at the moment. I would like to move into long haul and it would be great to fly the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is just around the corner. Being a simulator instructor for the training department is also something that I am enthusiastic about doing. There is still a lot more to look forward to and I wouldn’t change the challenges, responsibilities or excitement of being an airline pilot for anything else!!