2025: My Year in Aviation ✈️ From A-Levels to ATPLs

Looking back, 2025 has been without a doubt the biggest year of my life so far — and definitely the biggest year in my aviation journey.

It started back in June, when I finished my A-levels and said goodbye to school for good. Just a month later, in July, I took my first steps into professional flight training at Skyborne — and everything changed from that moment on.

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From Classrooms to Cockpits (Almost!)

In the space of just a few months, I’ve gone from being a student revising for final exams to being a student pilot halfway through ATPL ground school. I’ve now completed MOD 1 and MOD 2, and passed 9 out of the 13 ATPL exams. That still blows my mind a bit.

It hasn’t been easy. The theory is relentless at times but I’ve kept at it, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.

It’s starting to feel very real now. By early February, I should have finished all 13 ATPL exams… and after that, it’s off to Vero Beach to finally get into the skies and start flight training. That’s when the real adventure begins.

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The People Around Me

One of the absolute highlights of this year hasn’t just been the progress — it’s been the people. I’ve made some brilliant friends who are on this journey with me, and we’ve been through the ups and downs together.

I also feel genuinely lucky to have been taught by some of the most knowledgeable instructors (TKIs) I’ve ever met. The passion and experience they bring into every lesson has made a huge difference to my learning, and I feel privileged to be part of a community like this.

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Looking Ahead

2026 is already shaping up to be a huge year. Once theory is out of the way, I’ll finally get to do what this has all been building towards: fly.

But alongside that, I want to put more effort into my website and social media — not just to document the journey, but to hopefully inspire others who are thinking about taking the leap into aviation too.

There’s still a long way to go, but if 2025 has taught me anything, it’s that every step forward counts. Whether it’s a mock test, a subject passed, or even just a good day of study — it all adds up.

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Final Thoughts

From schoolbooks to Skyborne, and from day one to MOD 2 complete — 2025 has been a year of massive change and massive growth. I’m proud of what I’ve done, grateful for who I’ve done it with, and excited for what comes next.

Here’s to finishing the ATPLs strong, getting airborne in Vero Beach, and chasing the dream — one flight at a time. ✈️

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Thanks for following along — and if you’re just starting your journey, trust me: it’s worth it.