Ex-Flybe pilot gets job as Tesco delivery driver

FORMER Flybe pilot Aaron Leventhal had only been flying for 13 months before the company collapsed, leaving him with no choice but to get back behind the wheel of a Tesco delivery lorry.

After saving up around £100,000 the former pilot undertook 10-years of training.

The 36-year old discovered his love for flying at the age of 13 when he joined air cadets.

Desperate to turn his dreams into a reality, Aaron began working as an HGV driver in order to fund his training.

With the course costing somewhere in the region of £100,000, the former pilot had no choice but to opt for the training to be completed over a period of 10 years, as it was the only way he could afford to pay for it.

Working 14-hour days as a driver and studying on his days off, Aaron had very little time for leisure.

Ten years later and the trainee pilot achieved his licence in 2018, landing himself a job with Flybe.

However, after working for the airline for 13 months, the company collapsed into administration, leaving him jobless.

Aaron said: “It was devastating.” “I had a plan B, it was just to get back up, be resilient and get back out there.”

Fortunately, the former pilot kept his HGV licence valid, meaning he was able to get himself a job driving lorries for Tesco. Aaron adds: “Which is now working to my benefit and to the benefit of the country as well.”

With the lack of flights due to the effects of Covid-19, commercial airline pilot opportunities are limited.

Aaron said: “It’s a triple whammy, I’ve lost my job, I can’t get a job flying and also all of the training centres are closed so I can’t validate my licence.”

The former pilot’s rating licence is due to be renewed on April 30, however with the training centres being closed, his licence is going to expire.

A four-month extension has been put in place for pilots who meet the desired criteria, however in this case, Aaron does not.

Aaron said: “I went above and beyond my means, speaking to local

MPs to try and get an extension. The MPs sent emails off to the CAA, however they came back and said I still didn’t meet the criteria.

“Meaning it’s going to be another hefty cost of around £6,000. I’m one of the unlucky ones.”

The former pilot shared his experience on social media where his story attracted the attention of a mass audience, with around three million views.

However, Aaron remains positive. “I seem to be an inspiration to many people on LinkedIn, the positive messages I’m getting are overwhelming.”

The former pilot adds: “I don’t want to come across as some kind of hero – the NHS are the heroes, of course.”