Flight attendants use epidemic training to become pilots

Hazrati swaps cabin crew for cockpit dreams

Remember that moment of sheer joy, the one where your heart skips a beat and you can barely contain your excitement? That's the feeling Hazrati experienced, hovering above the ground in a tiny plane, feet dangling, taking in the world below.

"I looked down at the M6 motorway, the street I had driven every day for my university commute, and thought, 'This is the perspective I need for the rest of my life,'" she recalls. "As I descended, I made up my mind: 'I'll do it. I'll learn to fly.' The challenge was figuring out how."

Until 2017, Hazrati was a dance performer, a profession that left very little room for her other passion—engineering aircrafts. But that year, two things changed. A shift in her personal life opened up the possibility of taking a career leap, and her parents gifted her flight training sessions—a perfect gift for the flight aficionado.

Learning the art of flight

"I'll never forget the thrill of lifting off the ground," Hazrati says. "It didn't take long—the flight instructor said 'we're taking off,' and I had a moment of panic about touching down on the runway instead of taking flight, but I pulled it off. And I wanted more."

For Hazrati, the pursuit of becoming a pilot wasn't just an adrenaline-pumping thrill; it was a lifelong commitment. "Flying training is an investment—it's expensive, and you have to be sure this is the right path for you," she explains. "But once I knew I was committed, even when faced with losing my cabin crew job during the pandemic, I decided it was the perfect time to invest all my savings."

But enough about the money, the hours, the dedication. You want to know about the feeling.

"There's no feeling like it, no other experience that can equal the unparalleled euphoria of flying," Hazrati says. Her enthusiasm permeated every word she spoke and every picture she posted on Instagram. It was clear that flying was in her blood.

Navigating turbulent times

During her training, Hazrati juggled a variety of part-time jobs to stay afloat during the pandemic—Personal trainer, waitress, telemarketer, even a mascot. Yet, every week, she spent hours in the classroom and on the simulator, realizing that at least 15 hours of preparation were crucial for her weekly flights.

"I make the most of every second," she says.

From Rookie to Pilot

The path to becoming a pilot is not an easy one, but for Hazrati, it was filled with determination and love for the skies.

"Flying has literally lit a fire inside me," she says. "It has opened up a world of unimaginable opportunities—a world of wonder and discovery."

And this isn't just empty talk—it's a commitment she lives every day. "Every takeoff is a test of your courage and skill, a chance to grow and challenge yourself," she observes.

Admittedly, Hazrati isn't the stereotypical pilot. She's not known for her quiet stoicism but for her vivacious personality, her ability to make strangers feel at ease, and her love of procedural learning.

"When people doubt that flight attendants can make excellent pilots, I just have to smile. I've met some of the most extraordinary pilots, and they were among my flight crew colleagues—people who are fun-loving, who bring humor, who can defuse tension absently but effectively."

There's undoubtedly a certain hierarchy within the aviation industry, a divide between pilots and their cabin crew. But Hazrati insists that the lines should be blurred, and she wants to be part of the process of smashing that divide.

"Our past experiences as flight attendants will only make us better pilots," she says. "We'll bring a unique blend of strong interpersonal skills and safety-focused training to the cockpit, ensuring seamless integration and collaboration with the flight deck crew."

She added that, "The cabin and flight deck will no longer be seen as separate entities; we'll be one team battling for our passengers' safety and comfort."

With a line of successful flights behind her, Hazrati still dreams of climbing higher in her aviation career. And she is determined to make those dreams take flight.

1. "Flight Attendants Pursue Careers as Pilots," PASS, 18 April 2017.

Enrichment data:

Transitioning from flight attendants to pilots isn't uncommon, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how it works:

1. Inspiration and Motivation:
2. Many people, including Hazrati, were first inspired to become pilots while working as flight attendants and interacting with pilots in their personal lives.
3. Pursuing Flight Training:
4. Flight attendant-turned-pilots like Heather Sanchez and Yuka Nissle take a discovery flight or join pilot training schools to get started.
5. Balancing Responsibilities:
6. To pursue their dream while working full-time as flight attendants, some individuals allocate their weekends or evenings to build their flight hours while maintaining their cabin crew jobs.
7. Perseverance and Support:
8. Family members, mentors, and colleagues in the aviation industry support these individuals in their journey, providing emotional encouragement and guidance.
9. Networking:
10. Taking part in aviation networking opportunities and events exposes them to more pilots and industry opportunities.
11. Overcoming the Divide:
12. By highlighting the crossover skills between flight attendants and pilots, those in the industry can challenge the divide between the two roles and work together more closely.
13. Taking Advantage of Pandemic Opportunities:
14. The pandemic created an opportunity for flight schools to operate and offer more flexible classes and programs, giving potential pilots a chance to fly and train at their own pace.
15. Opportunities in a Changing Industry:
16. The aviation industry is gradually incorporating a focus on "human factors" to make the job safer and more accessible to everyone. This shift opens up new opportunities for flight attendants who want to transition into pilot roles.