Oli Russell

From an early age Oli knew he wanted to be an airline pilot. Educated in Guildford he was awarded the GAPAN Sir George Gaggero PPL scholarship in 2004 and completed it that year at Goodwood flying school in West Sussex.
Following advice of his GAPAN mentor he went to University and studied Geography for three years whilst keeping his PPL flying going in his free time.
After graduating from Southampton University Oli couldn’t find an integrated course that started for at least eight months. During his time off he did a week’s work experience for Scandinavian Airlines at London Heathrow Airport which then turned into a full time job. He worked on the ramp as a Ramp Co-ordinator and helped out with SAS’s other airline contracts.
In February 2007, Oli started on an integrated course at Flight Training Europe (FTE) at Jerez, Spain. Following a successful completion of the course he completed a JOC (Jet Orientation Course) at FTE and finally left for the big wide world in April 2008.
Oli is currently working as a flight instructor at Fairoaks Airport whilst waiting for the airline industry to start recruiting again.

We asked Oli about his most memorable flight to-date... “It would most likely have to be a seaplane trial lesson in Victoria, Canada” he says. “It initially went against every instinct I had, taking off and landing on water but I soon got used to it. It was a fantastic experience and I would jump at the chance to do it again”

He is currently an observer on the Guild’s Technical and Safety Committee (TASC) as well as the Education and Training committee (ETC) where he is representing the GYM. If members of the GYM are interested in getting involved with either of the Guild’s Technical committees drop Oli a line for more information.