James Seward
UWE graduate James Seward’s high-flying career can be traced back to a trip in a hand-glider, aged 16. Today he flies passenger aircraft in extreme weather conditions in Kazakhstan and sub-Siberian Russia.
"As soon as I'd been up in a hand-glider, I knew flying was the career for me," says James, speaking on a crackly line from Kazakhstan in between flights. "I started my Manufacturing Systems Engineering degree at UWE in 1996. I chose UWE mainly because it's affiliated to the University Air Squadron, which is a great feeder squadron for the RAF and commercial carriers. And the course was ideal for my career, as I could pick the most relevant modules. But the campus, the staff and fellow students made it a really good three years of my life. I really enjoyed it, beyond my expectations."
A 'frozen' license
Since graduating in 1999, James has been a pilot or instructor for many different organisations and airlines. He got his 'frozen' Airline Transport Pilot's Licence (ATPL) in 2001. This means he passed all the exams with flying colours, and has since amassed 3,500 commercial flying hours before 'unfreezing' the licence and finally being granted his Airline Transport Pilots License. "To date I've done 3,900 hours of flying," says James, "and, touch wood, no emergencies yet."
A way to see the world
Since 2001, James has worked as a flight instructor for Ravenair / Abbas Air in 2002, flown as a charter pilot in Zambia in 2003, worked as a survey pilot for Ordnance Survey in 2005... the list goes on. Each change was a step up to bigger aircraft and more exciting challenges. "I've moved around a lot and changed jobs often, but that's pretty normal for a career pilot," he laughs. "And I've seen some beautiful scenery. The highlands of Scotland and Victoria Falls are pretty impressive from an aircraft cockpit."
Hot, cold and slightly homesick
James currently flies scheduled passenger aircraft routes in Kazakhstan, and occasionally to Novosibirsk in Russia. "The temperature here can fluctuate between +25 and -35 degrees Celsius, and as first officer I'm responsible for checking the weather and making all pre-flight preparations," explains James. "I really love my job, and the money here is great, but I'd like to find work back in the UK. I miss the weather, believe it or not, plus my friends and being able to pursue my hobbies, like squash, swimming and fishing. And hand-gliding, funnily enough!"
Page last updated 1 November 2011