19 hours ago
How to become a real high flyer... woman's journey from air hostess to top pilot
For many pilots, their interactions with passengers are limited to announcements over the PA.
However, Sarah Johnson has an expert knowledge of the people she carries, as a former air hostess.
The 39-year-old Scot spent seven years in cabin crew for Emirates as she saved the £70,000 needed to fund her pilot training.
She said: 'I've always been fascinated by planes, even as a girl.'
But when she left school and studied to become a translator at a Spanish university, she didn't dare believe that she would one day become a pilot.
Ms Johnson, from Birse, Aberdeenshire, said: 'Attitudes to women pilots were different 20 years ago. I thought I was being silly – I was good at languages and becoming a translator was the road set out for me.
'But I couldn't shake the feeling that I wanted to be a pilot. I saw an opportunity to become a flight attendant, which meant that at least I'd be flying.'
In 2010 she moved to Dubai to work for Emirates and said: 'Flying to Japan and Australia was amazing but I wanted to be flying the plane. I got into so much trouble as cabin crew because no one could ever find me. I'd be in the cockpit when I had the chance.'
Ms Johnson embarked on a gruelling schedule, attending flying school in Los Angeles during layovers after 17-hour flights from Dubai. She said: 'The training was intense – after long-haul flights to Australia or New Zealand, I'd be up all night studying principles of flight or air law. It was tough.'
After getting her pilot's wings, Sarah landed a job with Ryanair as a cadet pilot, moving up to junior pilot, senior first officer and then captain two years ago.
Ms Johnson, who lives in Palma, Mallorca, with her financial consultant fiancé, said: 'I still can't believe I'm captain. When I had only two stripes, I used to put them together on my shoulder and look in the mirror, imagining what it would be like to have four as captain. My favourite part is the take-off.
'Every time I press the take-off thrust, it's such a thrill.
'A special moment was when I had my mum Chris and dad Martin as passengers. Of course, Dad made a dad joke about being relieved we landed safely. I can't see myself ever changing career. I'm lucky to have a job like this.'
