Why you deserve a seat in the flight deck

By Mila Petrovic

My name is Mila Petrovic, I am 25 years old and I come from Serbia. My journey into aviation began long before I ever considered becoming a pilot myself. My mother used to work as a flight attendant for Royal Jordanian, and through that job she gained curiosity about being a pilot, but life eventually led her in another direction. However, around 10 years ago, she saved money and acquired her PPL licence. Watching her prepare for flights sparked my own interest. Seeing the dedication, discipline, and joy that flying brought her made me realize that this might be the perfect career for me as well. 

In 2019, I was awarded a scholarship for the Professional Pilot Program and alongside completing an Integrated ATPL course at an aviation academy, I also earned a BSc in Engineering. After finishing the program, I worked as a flight instructor and since last year, I have been working at Wizz Air as a First Officer on A320 family.

I love working as an airline pilot because every day you can learn something new. Everyone knows something you don’t, and if you are keen to learn, this job is perfect for you. I am always trying to steal tips and tricks from all Captains I fly with. It is a privilege to be able to share the flight deck with so experienced professionals. Beyond that, you have an opportunity to see amazing sights throughout the day and truly, we do have the best office view. 

You develop a sense of belonging and community with your crew, a bond that forms through shared responsibility and trust. While continuously working on both technical and non-technical skills, you also travel, meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, and gain entirely new perspectives, all while flying a large passenger aircraft. It really is as good as it sounds…

However, like any other profession, this one also comes with its challenges. For many, the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of the job can be demanding. We try to stay on stable rosters, but unexpected situations can happen. You always need to be prepared that there is a chance that you are not going home exactly when you planed. I always prepare in case I need to stay longer or even if I need to stay somewhere overnight. At the end of the day, it is also expected from us to be prepared for such instances. That being said, working in this industry means you will probably miss some events in your life. You will not be present for every birthday, holiday or social gathering. But with a good support system, it is something you can overcome and eventually you will learn how to balance work and private life in a healthy way.

To any girl considering this path: if you think this job might be right for you, go for it. Understand that nothing happens overnight. Becoming an airline pilot requires time, commitment, and effort, especially when it comes to landing that first job. However, the journey is also incredibly fun and fulfilling. I studied hard and made sacrifices, but I also met amazing people, learned a lot, had fun, and I carry mostly positive memories from that time. It was challenging, but never miserable.

Times have changed, and we should celebrate the women who have paved the way before us. While it is possible to meet people who have prejudice towards women in this field, I am sure we can all testify that those people exist in any industry, and aviation is no exception. My experience was that the further I progressed in this career, the colleagues I was meeting along the way were more open minded and welcoming. If we are going to face challenges in life, simply for being women, we might as well be flying planes while we are at it.

I would suggest doing good research before choosing a flight school because it will make a huge difference in your professional path. Before the assessment in my current airline, one amazing Captain told me:

“When you walk into that room, don’t think for a moment that any other person knows more than you.”

He didn’t mean that I would know everything or more than other candidates, of course I didn’t. His point was about confidence: not doubting yourself, not feeling like an imposter, and not questioning whether you deserve to be in the room. You do. And if you want it, if you’re willing to work for it, this job is absolutely for you.