Tuomas Hagman

Could you briefly tell us about yourself and where you are in your pilot training right now?

I’m Tuomas Hagman, 27 years old. I’m essentially a career changer, with a background in the Finnish Defence Forces and the golf industry. My pilot training is now in the final stretch, with about a year and a half of studies behind me.

How did you first become interested in flying, and when did a career as a pilot become a real dream for you?

Becoming a pilot wasn’t a traditional childhood dream for me; my interest developed in adulthood. At the time, I was serving as a peacekeeper in Lebanon, and helicopter operations were a big part of my job. That experience sparked my interest in aviation.

Originally, I was planning to go into helicopters, but after looking into the job prospects in the field, I chose the airline pilot path instead. From there, after a few twists and turns, I ended up at Aeropole.

What made you choose Aeropole for your airline pilot training?

I looked into several different options, and my most important criteria were being able to study alongside work and having the training take place in Finland. Aeropole met both. I also had a few acquaintances who had trained at Aeropole before me.

Aeropole’s modern fleet also influenced my decision. I haven’t regretted my choice for a single day.

How did you prepare for the entrance exams, and what surprised you the most?

I prepared by reviewing upper secondary school maths and physics, since it had been a while since I’d studied them. I also familiarised myself with the aviation industry, as I had no previous experience of it.

I went into the exams with an open mind and was positively surprised by how efficient and smooth the selection process was on the school’s side. I had to wait a little for my medical certificate, but the school’s part of the process moved quickly.

What is studying at Aeropole like in practice? How much independent work does it require, and how have you found it?

Studying alongside work requires self-discipline, motivation and good time management. The flight training itself is very efficient. Of course, winter in Finland always limits things somewhat, but that’s a good time to focus on theory studies or simulator training.

My studies have progressed according to plan the whole time, and there have never been any issues on the school’s side. The theory studies are largely self-directed, so self-discipline and time management are key.

I’ve never found the theory studies overwhelming, but it’s certainly a nice feeling to have them behind me.

What has been the most interesting part of the theory classes so far, and what has stuck with you in particular?

If I had to pick one subject from the theory classes, it would be meteorology. Overall, though, the most interesting parts have been the Ground School periods, the in-person teaching weeks. Independent study suits me really well, but the classroom sessions have allowed me to deepen my knowledge and ask the instructors questions in a different way. Combining theory with practice has been especially interesting, as many of the instructors also work for airlines at the same time.

The breaks between lessons have been great too. They’re a good opportunity to exchange ideas and ask for tips about working life ahead.

What was your first solo flight like? Do you remember what you were thinking or feeling at the moment you realised you were alone in the aircraft?

That feeling is really hard to describe. It was simply an amazing experience, and at the same time a little surreal: suddenly I was all alone in the aircraft!

I think I had about 20 hours of actual flight instruction with an instructor before my first solo. It was really great to hear my flight instructor say I was ready to go solo. It also boosted my confidence in what I was doing.

Looking back, it does feel a bit absurd that all of a sudden I was up there flying completely on my own!

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of becoming a pilot but is still unsure whether to apply?

I think it’s worth learning about the industry and exploring different training options. Most importantly, though, don’t spend too long waiting for that famous “right moment”.

I’ve sometimes felt that I could have applied sooner myself. So be brave and take the leap into aviation.

It’s a growing industry, and there’s always room for people who put in the work, so just get your foot in the door!

If you could design your own dream flight route, where would you fly first?

This was probably the hardest question of them all, but a couple of things came to mind right away. If I had completely free rein, I’d love to try bush flying in New Zealand. It would also be amazing to land a passenger aircraft at Gibraltar Airport someday. It’s a really impressive and interesting airfield.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about pilot training, your own journey towards a pilot career, or anything else?

I’d like to encourage everyone interested in the field. You need to be properly motivated, and studying in this field requires a certain level of discipline. On the other hand, the sense of achievement is absolutely fantastic.

Is there a better feeling than nailing a challenging crosswind landing or completing a demanding instrument flight? I doubt you get to experience that kind of achievement in many other schools.

So far, my experience has been really positive. This is simply a cool job – it’s definitely a career worth pursuing!