0:00:02 > 0:00:03We push our rookies hard. They see the good...
0:00:03 > 0:00:05How cool is this?!
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- ..the bad...- Oh!
0:00:07 > 0:00:09..and the downright astonishing.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12We give them glamour...
0:00:12 > 0:00:13show them excitement...
0:00:14 > 0:00:16..get their hands dirty...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17put them under pressure...
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- Oh, no.- No, no!
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..make them laugh...
0:00:21 > 0:00:25all so they can experience their dream jobs.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Today, our rookies want to be pilots.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32But will they fly like eagles or are their ambitions just pie in the sky?
0:00:32 > 0:00:37Let's find out as we go All Over The Workplace!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Do you dream of being the person who makes those announcements
0:00:59 > 0:01:01on a plane like, "We're flying at 35,000ft"?
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Well, we're about to meet two rookies desperate to do just that,
0:01:05 > 0:01:06and fly the plane, of course.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08This is your captain speaking,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11please fasten your seat belts as we're experiencing
0:01:11 > 0:01:13some slight turbulence.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Sorry.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20First on the runway is nine-year-old
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Sam from Northern Ireland.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I would like to be a pilot
0:01:24 > 0:01:25because you get to travel
0:01:25 > 0:01:27to different places
0:01:27 > 0:01:28and you get paid for it.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29Long-haul flights
0:01:29 > 0:01:31wouldn't be a problem for me,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33because I just love staying up late.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Ready for take off is Akshita.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39Flying is really exhilarating
0:01:39 > 0:01:40and that feeling of being up
0:01:40 > 0:01:42in the air is amazing.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Not many girls are pilots,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46so I think it would be really nice
0:01:46 > 0:01:47to bring some more girls
0:01:47 > 0:01:48into the industry.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49That's why I'm really passionate
0:01:49 > 0:01:51to become a female pilot.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55We've propelled rookie flyers Sam and Akshita to the Peak District
0:01:55 > 0:01:59for the start of their adventure. Chocks away!
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Oh, what a magnificent view!
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Hi, Sam, Akshita, how are you doing?
0:02:03 > 0:02:04- Good.- Good.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06So, Sam, why do you want to be a pilot?
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Because I love the responsibility of the plane and I just love flying.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Sounds good to me. Akshita, why do you want to be a pilot?
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I want to be an inspiration to girls,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17because there's not many of them in the industry.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19There aren't many women pilots, are there?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21It would be fantastic to have a role model like you,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24inspiring a whole new generation of pilots.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Let's see what your parents think.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Sam can be quite forgetful.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30That would be a bit of a problem if he was going to be a pilot,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33cos he might forget what airport he was landing at,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36or he might forget to land.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39He just wants to go through things as quick as possible,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and it would be good if he could work on maybe slowing down.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44One thing that she needs to work on probably is
0:02:44 > 0:02:46she gets tired very quickly,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48so she might need to work on that a little bit
0:02:48 > 0:02:52because with long flights and long stays abroad and all that,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54she will come home very tired.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57So, Akshita, apparently you fall asleep all the time.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- What do you think about that? - I think I should work on that.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Especially if you're going to fly to Australia.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05You can't fall asleep over the Pacific Ocean, can you?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08What about you, Sam? You're very forgetful, apparently?
0:03:08 > 0:03:09My parents are talking rubbish!
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Come on, don't say that about your parents.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13You'd set off on your way to Heathrow
0:03:13 > 0:03:14and you'd end up at Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- No, I wouldn't!- Well, I hope not.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Let's go and find out about your first assignment. Come on.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29We're about to reveal to the rookies a surprise from the skies.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Open the doors!
0:03:30 > 0:03:32MUSIC: 2001 - A Space Odyssey Theme
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Do you know what they are?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42No.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Any idea?- Is it a glider?
0:03:44 > 0:03:45It is a glider, you're absolutely right.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48This is the first opportunity that young people have
0:03:48 > 0:03:50to actually pilot an aircraft.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- Whoa!- Whoa, yeah.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- Come on, shall we go and have a look?- Yeah.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Gliding is sometimes referred to as the purest form of flying.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Gliders are usually unpowered
0:04:04 > 0:04:08and they use the same natural air currents that birds use to fly.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Meet our first mentor.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Andrew Neofytou began his flying career
0:04:13 > 0:04:15on the Royal Navy Air Force scholarship
0:04:15 > 0:04:19and from then on, it was his sole mission to become a pilot.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21He did an aeronautical degree
0:04:21 > 0:04:25before becoming a Royal Navy military pilot, aged 22.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Andrew, could you tell our rookies what your three top tips are
0:04:28 > 0:04:29for becoming a pilot?
0:04:29 > 0:04:31As a pilot you've got to have a lot of technical knowledge.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33So you need to make sure that you work hard at school,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36so you can pass all the exams you need to become a pilot
0:04:36 > 0:04:38and when you are a pilot, you can really work hard
0:04:38 > 0:04:40at maintaining your knowledge.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44The second tip I've got is, don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46And even if you think sometimes, "This is getting a bit difficult",
0:04:46 > 0:04:49keep motivated - you can do it.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And a third top tip is, have a different interest,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54cos it makes it more interesting when you're at work.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Andrew's top tips for being a pilot are...
0:04:58 > 0:04:59Pass all your exams
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and maintain your knowledge when you become a pilot.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Keep motivated, even if you think it's getting difficult.
0:05:07 > 0:05:08Thirdly...
0:05:10 > 0:05:12It makes life more interesting.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Do you have an engine in a glider?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- The idea of gliding is we fly without an engine.- Yeah.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20So we have to use all of the atmospheric conditions that we can
0:05:20 > 0:05:22to keep ourselves up in the air.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It's a real challenge. Basically, we fly like birds.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Why is gliding a brilliant way to start flying?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30You can actually go solo when you're only 14 years old.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Not only are you getting to learn how to fly an aeroplane
0:05:33 > 0:05:34and learn how all the controls work,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37but it really develops your knowledge of what the weather does
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and all the different conditions you get used to when you're a pilot.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42And when you're flying at 14 years old
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and all of your friends at school ask you what you did on your weekend
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and you can't even drive a car, that's pretty cool, isn't it?
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Yeah.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Right, Andrew, what assignment have you got for our rookies?
0:05:51 > 0:05:52Are you ready for this, guys?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Your assignment today is to go and fly in a glider
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and actually take the controls.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01You're going to actually get to fly the aeroplane. How does that feel?
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- Whoa!- Pretty cool?- BOTH:- Yeah.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12My three top tips for becoming a pilot is firstly,
0:06:12 > 0:06:13when you do start flying, do it regularly,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16so you can build those skills that you need to be a pilot.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Secondly, take all the opportunities that you can get.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Apply for grants, join the Air Cadets,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23so you can learn about aviation and go flying.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25And finally, don't be afraid to ask questions.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27There's a good chance you'll get the answer that you want.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Good luck, Sam and Akshita.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Time for Andrew to give the rookies the glider tour.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Open up the canopy first,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38lower yourself in and put your feet all the way forward.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Can you reach the stick?- Yeah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Moving the control column right and left controls the ailerons.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47So, they help roll the glider.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49So if you're looking out the front,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51the glider will either roll to the left or it will roll to the right.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54And forwards and backwards controls the elevators.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55If we pull the stick back,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59the elevator goes up, and if you push it forward, it goes down.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Pulling the blue lever applies the air brake on the wing.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Have you ever stuck your hand out of the car window
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- and felt it sort of getting pushed back?- Yeah.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08That's exactly what these do.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11And there's also a special dual-control feature
0:07:11 > 0:07:12to the control column.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Have you noticed how you move one
0:07:14 > 0:07:15and then the other one moves as well?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17When you're flying with the instructor,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19they'll be demonstrating just how that works
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and how you control the aircraft and you'll feel it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23How do we know who's flying the aeroplane
0:07:23 > 0:07:25when there's two of you in here?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Pretty important, isn't it, to know who's flying?
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Otherwise no-one might be flying!
0:07:28 > 0:07:31So when the instructor gives you control, he will say to you...
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Let's say he's saying it to Sam, so he goes, "Sam, you have control."
0:07:35 > 0:07:36What are you going to reply back to him?
0:07:38 > 0:07:39- I have control.- Perfect.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43And if the instructor, we'll pretend that's Akshita now.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46So Akshita's the instructor and she wants to take control back again.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- She's going to say... - I have control.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50And what are you going to say, Sam? When Akshita...
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- I have control.- No... - You have control.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Exactly!- Anything on your mind? Any concerns or...?
0:07:56 > 0:07:57- No, not really.- No?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- What about you, Sam?- No, not really.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01No, Sam's ready for it, aren't you?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Very blase.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Do you think he's going to fit?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08This is terrible! Ahh!
0:08:09 > 0:08:12I can't get in here. I can't fly this, look at this!
0:08:12 > 0:08:13I can't get it.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I think we should just leave Alex to it, then. See you later, Alex.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- Bye.- Bye.- Where are you going? Hang on!
0:08:19 > 0:08:22I can't get... Andrew!
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Before the rookies can take to the air, it's back to the classroom.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Now, when I move the control column back or the joystick back,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30can you see what it's controlling on the back there?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- The elevator.- Exactly.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Andrew explains some crucial flight theory.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36I hope they're paying attention,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39this could be vital when they're up in the air.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Listen and learn, there are four forces acting on a plane in flight.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53They are lift, gravity, thrust and drag.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Lift is when the pressure on top of the wing
0:08:55 > 0:08:57is lower than the pressure under it.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59This causes the wing to be lifted upwards.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03The shape of the wing is designed so that the air flowing over it
0:09:03 > 0:09:05will have to travel a greater distance and faster.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08That makes for lower air pressure above.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11The higher air pressure under the wing causes lift,
0:09:11 > 0:09:12making the plane rise.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Gravity pulls the plane vertically downwards,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17exactly like dropping a stone.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Thrust is a force made by the aircraft engine,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23similar to a car engine pushing a vehicle forwards.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Gliders don't have engines, though,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28so they use gravity to provide the forward motional thrust.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32If they tip the nose forwards, it starts falling faster.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Drag is when the friction of the air slows the plane down.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Got that? I hope Sam and Akshita have!
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Andrew gives Sam and Akshita a lesson in the glider simulator
0:09:44 > 0:09:45before they're ready to get airborne.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Follow me through on the stick.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Is he going to let go of the wing, that fella?- Yeah, there he goes.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53- Whoa!- Look at that.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Whoo!- Pretty cool, ey?- Whoa!
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- You've seen a launch.- Yeah. - Now it's your turn.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Experienced pilot Mike is accompanying Akshita
0:10:03 > 0:10:05on her first glider flight.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07There we are, we're setting off now.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08Since the glider doesn't have an engine,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11it's pulled into the air by a tow wire.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12- OK!- OK?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Now, you can see if you look out sideways at the wings,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- how steeply we're climbing.- Yeah!
0:10:18 > 0:10:20This is so cool!
0:10:21 > 0:10:22What do you think to that?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26That is just... I don't know how!
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- It's like a big kite, isn't it? - It IS like a kite.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29It's just like a kite, yeah.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32We're about to hear a thud as the tow wire is released,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34leaving the glider to fly free.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37We're now at 1,000ft, so that didn't take long, did it?
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Are you OK there?
0:10:41 > 0:10:42- Yeah.- OK.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Put your hand on the stick now and you can feel what's going on.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47By following Mike's controls on the joystick,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Akshita can get a feel for the glider.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51This is so awesome!
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Do you want to try moving it forward yourself, then? You have control.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- I don't want to. - You don't want to have control?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02OK, no pressure.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Akshita has decided to just sit back and take in the view.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08But shouldn't a budding pilot be keen to get her hands
0:11:08 > 0:11:09on the controls?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11And we straighten up...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15The air brakes are going to come out on the wings
0:11:15 > 0:11:16and bring us down more steeply.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The cars look like toys.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28There we are, we're coming to the ground now.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29There's the ground.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- Feel the bounces?- Whoa!
0:11:34 > 0:11:35SHE LAUGHS
0:11:35 > 0:11:38I wonder if it's relief or amusement making Akshita laugh?
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- How was that, Akshita?- It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Ha-ha, good!
0:11:43 > 0:11:45How was her control column technique?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47She just wanted to feel the controls,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- so she felt the controls and felt what I was doing.- OK.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52But decided she didn't want to actually move them herself, so...
0:11:52 > 0:11:54OK, fair enough. But you could feel how it was moving?
0:11:54 > 0:11:55High-five! Nice one.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56Over to Sam.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Nervous at all?- No, no nerves.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- That's the spirit. OK, off you go. - OK.- Good luck.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Canopy coming down.- Yep. - And we're in.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- We're in!- Here we go!
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It's so fast!
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And we're airborne! And we're up, we're into the climb.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- How cool is this?! - HE LAUGHS
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Right, we're at 800ft already.- Wow!
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- A thousand...- 1,000ft.- 1,000ft, yep, you've got it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33- 60 knots.- 60 knots.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Oh, you know all about the instruments, then?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38There's the cable come off.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40I pull the release twice to make sure it's gone.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41Hanging in the air.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43How did you feel when the cable came off before, Akshita?
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- It was a very loud noise. - Big bang, yeah.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Whoa, we're surfing!
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Yep, surfing the wind now.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Surf the wind!
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Right, do you want to put your right hand on the stick?
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- You have control?- Yeah.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00If we move it forwards. So just move it down a little bit.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- See the nose going down? - Yeah, and we're creating speed.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- We're lifting speed.- That's right.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Converting height into speed.- Wow!
0:13:08 > 0:13:10And then when we want to slow down, we move the stick back.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Very sensitive, isn't it?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- And then we are reducing speed down to 55. Now, 50.- That's it.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16There you go!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19I'm just going to push the stick to the right a bit,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- keep the wings level. You see how sensitive it is?- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23The nose comes up.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Whoa, it's so nice round here!
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I think we can safely say, Sam is loving this!
0:13:29 > 0:13:34Going to put my left hand on the air brakes now, so I'm ready to land.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Yep.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37So, the air brakes are out, no?
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- No, not yet. You'll feel when they come out.- Right.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Opening the air brakes now,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- you'll feel us coming down more quickly.- Yeah.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47The ground's coming up. It'll be a little bit bumpy, but...
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Whoa!
0:13:49 > 0:13:51There we go!
0:13:54 > 0:13:56We have landed!
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Sam, how was that? - Oh, it was amazing.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Yeah? You enjoyed it, yourself? - Yeah.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- What was the best bit? - Erm, probably the landing.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yeah?- Yeah.- And Mike, how was he? Was he a good passenger?
0:14:08 > 0:14:09He was very good.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13He took the controls as well, tried a little bit with the controls.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Another beautiful landing, if I may say so.- Right, yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Lovely to watch. Poetry in motion.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Are you ready for this? - Yeah, I think so.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21I've just got one question.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23You know, like, when you're flying and you're on the radio,
0:14:23 > 0:14:28and you sort of say, "I'm at 35,000ft - Roger."
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Who's Roger?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Is he, like, the air-traffic controller or something?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Get flying.- Hey, what are you doing? What are you doing?!
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Who's Roger?!
0:14:38 > 0:14:39What's the big secret?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Hang on...!
0:14:41 > 0:14:42Brace yourself, Riley!
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Wha-hey, look at that!
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Wow! 0-60 in 2.5 seconds!
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I was feeling quite nervous before I went up,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55but now I'm really happy that I did it.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59It was just everything I'd hoped, and better.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01The training we did with Andy was really useful,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05because it reminded me of what the different controls do
0:15:05 > 0:15:07and how they affect the plane.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11I took control, and when I took control, I just felt free.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Sam, you knew nearly all the answers to all my questions,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16and it was great to see such enthusiasm.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- MIKE:- When you took the controls, you knew which way to move them.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21You'd already done quite a lot of study on it -
0:15:21 > 0:15:23so I was very impressed with you.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26You could have focused a little bit more on what was happening.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It's really good to see such enthusiasm, but as a pilot,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32you've got to direct that enthusiasm in the right way.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Akshita, I thought your knowledge was excellent today,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37you really applied yourself.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39You followed through on the controls.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41You didn't want to control it yourself, but that's fine -
0:15:41 > 0:15:44at this stage, on your first flight, you just need to enjoy it.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47A little bit further forward and stop.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51OK. Now, on the count of three,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53I want you to take your blindfolds off.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56One, two, three!
0:15:58 > 0:16:01BOTH: Whoa!
0:16:01 > 0:16:02What do you think about that, then?!
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- Whoa!- It's big, isn't it?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- Yeah!- Huge!
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Whoa!- Well, you've already had a taste of the purest form of flying,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- with the gliders.- Yeah.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Now, we're going to find out about the commercial side of flying...
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Yeah.- ..as you find out how to fly big jets like these!
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Whoa!- Come with me, then!
0:16:22 > 0:16:24We are in Manchester,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and we've come to the airport to get a real close-up look
0:16:27 > 0:16:29at a passenger jet.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30And for their next assignment,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34the rookies are going to be helped along the way by India Allix.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36India comes from a flying family.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39She applied for her private pilot's licence at 19.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41She then passed various exams
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and applied for her commercial pilot's licence,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46which allows her to fly passenger airliners.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51India now has over 2,500 flying hours under her belt.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Let's hear her top tips.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57I would say number one, make sure you work hard at school,
0:16:57 > 0:16:58make sure you study hard.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Number two, make sure you keep fit, because every year,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05we have to undertake medical examinations.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06And number three,
0:17:06 > 0:17:11make sure that you're prepared to work early mornings and late nights,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13because the hours are very varied.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17India's number one tip is the same as Andrew's...
0:17:19 > 0:17:20This can't be stressed enough.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24You have regular medical checks as a pilot,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26so keeping fit and healthy is crucial.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Lastly...
0:17:30 > 0:17:33There are lots of early starts and late finishes as a pilot,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35so be ready for that.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36How does it feel to be a female pilot,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38because there aren't very many?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41I really enjoy it, because it's different, it's exciting.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Do you do long-haul or short-haul flights?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Just short-haul at the moment.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Eventually, I'll be doing some long-haul.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51An airline pilot is responsible for the whole aircraft,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53so they must do a full check before they fly.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Next, we'll come round to the tyres. - Yep.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59And we're checking that there's no tears.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So, do you want to have a look for me and see if you can see anything?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I hope you're checking that thoroughly, Sam.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07So, we're also checking that there's no leaks, such as oil leaks,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and we're checking the condition of the lights,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12making sure there's no dents, scratches.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13No ice.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16No birds.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19The rookies won't actually be flying this aircraft today,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21but they will be getting a taste of what it would be like,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24in a hi-tech aircraft simulator.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Hello. My name is Paul Bonhomme.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I'm a 747 captain, an aerobatic display pilot
0:18:35 > 0:18:38and a three-times Air Race world champion.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41My three top tips for flying aeroplanes - firstly...
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Imagine what's going to happen first - much easier when it then happens.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48Number two...
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Always ask yourself, "What if this happens? What if that happens?"
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Don't wait for something to happen and not be ready.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57And three...
0:18:59 > 0:19:01The day you think you know it all about flying,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05is probably the day you should stop, because you will never, ever
0:19:05 > 0:19:09stop learning about new things flying aeroplanes.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12To the simulator, Roger!
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Real pilots have to train using simulators like this one
0:19:15 > 0:19:18to gain qualifications for flying different types of aircraft.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Kestrel 01, you are clear for take off, surface wind is calm.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26The simulators help pilots gain experience of flying,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28without actually leaving the ground.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Captain of the first simulator flight is Akshita.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33Pitch down a little bit.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36So, come round to the right.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41And push down.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Pull back slightly
0:19:44 > 0:19:47cos your speed is increasing a little bit.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53And pull back.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Those mountains seem pretty close, Akshita!
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- VOICE RECORDING:- Caution, terrain! Caution, terrain!
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Are we reaching the mountains? - Yeah, we're near the mountains now.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Pull up! Pull up!
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Near miss there, Akshita.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Let's hope your landing's smoother!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14It's quite hard to keep it in the centre and balanced.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- 100 above.- Keep it coming down.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18As Akshita brings the plane in for landing,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20she seems far more composed than Alex.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23When you hear, "30ft", just pull back a little bit, yeah?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25OK.
0:20:25 > 0:20:2650.
0:20:27 > 0:20:2840.
0:20:28 > 0:20:2930.
0:20:29 > 0:20:3120...
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Fuel input. 10.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Just keep it coming down.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Pretty good landing from Akshita.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41But she seems to have steered into the grass after touchdown.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Don't think the passengers would be too pleased!
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Bumpy ride, Alex?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Hello, this is your captain speaking.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49It should be a smooth flight.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Should be a smooth flight? OK, well, I'm looking forward to it, then.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53And pull back now.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58That's good.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- Well done. - Sam seems to be focused on the job.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Flying a passenger jet is a serious business, after all.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09So, you pull it out. Yeah, great.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Just make very small movements. You're doing really well.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Captain Sam begins his descent towards landing.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Looks like you've got the hang of it. You're doing really well.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21ALARM BLEEPS
0:21:21 > 0:21:24When it says 30, just pull back.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25- VOICE RECORDING:- 50,
0:21:25 > 0:21:2640,
0:21:26 > 0:21:2730,
0:21:27 > 0:21:2820...
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Nervous, Alex? 10...
0:21:31 > 0:21:32Fuel input.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35And now you can pull these back. Put your hand in here.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Now, pull them all the way back.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38Great landing!
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Alex can breathe a sigh of relief.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43India was a big inspiration to me,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46because she's exactly what I want to be.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I thought India seemed quite young, and that really inspires me,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53because I really want to be a pilot when I'm young.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54I still really want to be a commercial pilot,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58because I've now felt how it is to be in the front seat.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59I'm learning lots at the moment,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02so I think I'm going to be able to be a pilot soon.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- INDIA:- Sam, you were really enthusiastic from the start.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08You made small movements,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10exactly how you're supposed to fly the aircraft.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Akshita, the only thing I would recommend
0:22:12 > 0:22:15is to work on your reaction times.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Apart from that, everything was fantastic.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Our rookies have learned how to control a glider,
0:22:20 > 0:22:25and face the challenge of landing a passenger jet in a flight simulator.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Now, it's time to put everything they've learned to the test.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31And I know just the man to help them.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Tony Partakis has been flying light aircraft for over 32 years,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39and has been a qualified instructor for 20 of those.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Tony will be in charge of the aircraft
0:22:41 > 0:22:42for the rookies' next flight.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And with over 10,000 flying hours under his belt,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47he should be a great mentor.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51All pilots need to be able to navigate, because let's face it,
0:22:51 > 0:22:52if you don't know where you're going,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54you're not going to be much of a pilot.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Tony's going to teach the rookies how to plot their route.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Route plotted, onto the pre-flight checks.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03This is no ordinary flight.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06If Tony's confident enough in Sam and Akshita's piloting abilities,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09he'll allow them to actually fly the plane.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Again, those all-too-crucial checks.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14And Sam and Akshita are watching closely.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15There's fuel in there.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It's about half-tanks.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Yeah.- Move it up and move it down like that and we're ready to go.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- Are you all excited?- BOTH: Yeah. - Let's go for it.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34In 1903, American brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright
0:23:34 > 0:23:37became the first inventors to get a contraption into the air.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39It flew barely the width of a football pitch
0:23:39 > 0:23:41and was in the air for only 12 seconds.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43But it flew!
0:23:43 > 0:23:45The age of flight had begun.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Since 1903, aircraft have constantly changed,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50becoming faster and more efficient.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54In 2016, a solar-powered aeroplane circled the globe
0:23:54 > 0:23:56for the first time.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59New methods of transporting cargo are also being developed,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and one day, passengers may travel in these giant airships, too.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06The ultimate in personal transport could soon be available
0:24:06 > 0:24:09for those who can afford it - a flying car.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Ideal for avoiding busy motorways!
0:24:14 > 0:24:16It's take off time.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Will Sam and Akshita be good enough to actually take control
0:24:19 > 0:24:21of the plane?
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Good view. Fantastic day to go flying.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Absolutely amazing!
0:24:27 > 0:24:29He's loving it! He's loving it!
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Sam's big moment is upon us.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Tony seems confident in him,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37so he's about to pass over the control of the plane.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- You have control.- I have control.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- How does it feel, Sam, to be...? - Absolutely amazing!
0:24:47 > 0:24:52Sam flew an Airbus in a simulator but that wasn't real.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56This is real. He's actually piloting a light aircraft.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00- Pretty impressive! - Yeah, it's really impressive.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Very modest, Sam(!)
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Tony's going to land the plane, as that is a very tricky manoeuvre.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08But Sam has piloted brilliantly.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Now for Akshita's big moment in the skies.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13She, too, has proved herself ready to take the helm.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16How does it compare to the simulator?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19It's similar, compared to the simulator,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22because you have to keep it balanced.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Is it easier than the simulator?
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Yeah.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Look at that.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Akshita - she's only just learnt about the controls of an aeroplane,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36and here she is, 2,000ft above the countryside, flying a plane.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37She's ten years old.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Hang on a minute.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41She's ten years old?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46That was absolutely awesome!
0:25:46 > 0:25:50I didn't feel very confident controlling the glider,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53but I felt more confident controlling the aircraft.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57It's so exciting that I just flew a plane and I'm only nine years old.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58I've learnt a lot about being a pilot
0:25:58 > 0:26:00and I still want to become one.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I'm going to try and get my pilot's licence as soon as possible,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05cos I really want to fly.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Sam, you just need to stay a little bit more focused.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Rather than look outside, concentrate on the flying
0:26:12 > 0:26:14and occasionally look at the instruments.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19Akshita, your confidence grew as the flight progressed.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I was very impressed with the way that you were focused,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26and you seemed to have attention to detail.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Our rookies have soared high in the skies,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32flying a glider, a commercial airline simulator,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and actually taking control of a light aircraft.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38But have they got what it takes to propel themselves
0:26:38 > 0:26:40into careers as pilots?
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Sam, I think if you focus and you work really hard,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I think you could be a very successful pilot.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I definitely think you could become a pilot one day,
0:26:54 > 0:26:59as long as you keep motivated and focused and study hard.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Sam, you definitely have potential, you weren't nervous,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05so I have no doubt that you could make a good pilot.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I'm sure you could make it as a pilot, Akshita.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09What you're going to need to do, though,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12is to practise and practise and build your confidence.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14You absolutely can be successful -
0:27:14 > 0:27:18just work on your confidence and you'll absolutely be a pilot.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21From what I saw, and the way that your confidence grew
0:27:21 > 0:27:22as the flight progressed,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I have no doubt at all that you could make it as a pilot.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Sam, do you still want to be an airline pilot?
0:27:29 > 0:27:31- Definitely, yes.- Definitely?
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- Yeah? No question?- No.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Akshita, do YOU still want to be an airline pilot?
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Yes.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Give yourselves a high-five!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41And now give me one!
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Yeah! Well done, you two. I'm really proud of you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Fantastic!