Shaneeka's Pilot School Fund
Donation protected
My name is Shaneeka, I am 28 years old and I live in London. For 6 years I worked as a check in agent at London Gatwick Airport for one of the most well known Airlines in the World Virgin Atlantic Airways. Whilst at Virgin I also went to University and Graduated with a 1st class Honours Degree in Business Management with travel and tourism awarded by Plymouth University.
My dream career is to become a Commercial Airline Pilot. The thought and the feeling of excitement I get at the prospect of making the sky my working environment increases everyday. In order to achieve my dream I have researched a number of avenues and applied for a number of scholarships over the last two years. These include Virgin Atlantic Future Flyer Programme, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Flybe Cadet Programme, the CTC Wings cadet programme, easyJet cadet programme and the British Airways Pilot Scholarship Scheme. With thousands of other potential applicants, I was in unsuccessful and each time I received a no I was devastated. So I decided to explore other ways to achieve my dream.
I looked into a number of loans, including the career development loan (Government) offered by Barclays and Co-operative Banks, of which I have also been turned down. However, my parents taught me that hurdles are there to be knocked down and if you want something, you need to fight for it, so here I am fighting for your help to get me over the last hurdle.
The percentage of Black Female pilots in Great Britain is very low, and thus, I decided to pursue my dream career in the USA. The course in America is a fraction of the cost in the UK, at £70,000 including living costs. I saved enough to begin my course with the support of my parents, family and friends and began my Pilot training in May 2016.
To become a Commercial Pilot, there are a number of tests you are required to complete to ensure you have the mind and in good enough health to get through the intense training.
I have completed the Aptitude test, part of the Flight Crew Selection process, which I completed at AFT, a Pilot school in Coventry. The test was over 5 hours long and at times very intense, but I was told I passed with one of the highest test scores they have seen and with my hard work, passion and dedication I will make an excellent Pilot.
I have achieved my Private Pilot License and I am currently half way through my Instrument Rating.
My last hurdle is raising the remaining funds to obtain my Commercial License and return to the UK to convert my USA licenses so I can fly in Europe.
I would like to be a role model to all young women in the UK who are interested in becoming a Pilot. In years to come when I am living my dream in the sky among the birds, I hope to be in the position to help other young women who are in the position I am in today.
I have always been told if you find something you are passionate about, you will never work a day in your life. My one and only passion is to become the best Pilot I can be.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my dream. And thank you in advance for any donations and sharing my story.
Shaneeka xx
My dream career is to become a Commercial Airline Pilot. The thought and the feeling of excitement I get at the prospect of making the sky my working environment increases everyday. In order to achieve my dream I have researched a number of avenues and applied for a number of scholarships over the last two years. These include Virgin Atlantic Future Flyer Programme, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Flybe Cadet Programme, the CTC Wings cadet programme, easyJet cadet programme and the British Airways Pilot Scholarship Scheme. With thousands of other potential applicants, I was in unsuccessful and each time I received a no I was devastated. So I decided to explore other ways to achieve my dream.
I looked into a number of loans, including the career development loan (Government) offered by Barclays and Co-operative Banks, of which I have also been turned down. However, my parents taught me that hurdles are there to be knocked down and if you want something, you need to fight for it, so here I am fighting for your help to get me over the last hurdle.
The percentage of Black Female pilots in Great Britain is very low, and thus, I decided to pursue my dream career in the USA. The course in America is a fraction of the cost in the UK, at £70,000 including living costs. I saved enough to begin my course with the support of my parents, family and friends and began my Pilot training in May 2016.
To become a Commercial Pilot, there are a number of tests you are required to complete to ensure you have the mind and in good enough health to get through the intense training.
I have completed the Aptitude test, part of the Flight Crew Selection process, which I completed at AFT, a Pilot school in Coventry. The test was over 5 hours long and at times very intense, but I was told I passed with one of the highest test scores they have seen and with my hard work, passion and dedication I will make an excellent Pilot.
I have achieved my Private Pilot License and I am currently half way through my Instrument Rating.
My last hurdle is raising the remaining funds to obtain my Commercial License and return to the UK to convert my USA licenses so I can fly in Europe.
I would like to be a role model to all young women in the UK who are interested in becoming a Pilot. In years to come when I am living my dream in the sky among the birds, I hope to be in the position to help other young women who are in the position I am in today.
I have always been told if you find something you are passionate about, you will never work a day in your life. My one and only passion is to become the best Pilot I can be.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my dream. And thank you in advance for any donations and sharing my story.
Shaneeka xx
Organizer
Shaneeka Bartlett
Organizer