Arthur, youngest civilian pilot of civil security

A look back at his experience at Aéropyrénées…

First of all, what do you like about aeronautics ?

Since I was little, I’ve always been fascinated by this field. Spending my childhood in the West Indies was also a catalyst, as the airplane is one of the most common means of transport between the islands and the mainland.

Why Aéropyrénées ?

Former students of the school were my instructors at the Guadeloupe flying club. Having received good guidance, it was only natural for me to turn to Aéropyrénées to complete my professional pilot training.

Coming from far away, the option of on-campus housing was also a plus for me.

How did the training go ?

The training went well, both in terms of learning and group cohesion, despite the COVID period at the end. My class and I finished well within the expected timeframe.

How did you get this job ?

From 2018, I intended to obtain an instructor qualification at the end of my training; it was something that suited me well to start my career.

After several discussions with the team before the end of my training and a position becoming available, Ghislaine gave me my chance, and I joined Aéropyrénées in 2020 as a flight instructor.

After almost 3 years of adventure, missions in Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, as well as various assignments as an assistant within the company, it was time for me to take off and return to familiar ground, the West Indies. In 2023-2024, I held the position of Captain on the Cessna Caravan at Saint-Barth Commuter for just under 2 years.

This role allowed me to enhance my skills in various areas thanks to this very particular and demanding operation.

I learned a lot there. At the end of 2024, after a selection conducted jointly with the Air Force and civil security, I joined the civil security aircraft group as a co-pilot water bomber on the DHC8Q400.

What advice would you give to young pilots ?

Whatever happens, never give up, hold on and work hard; there are many ways to enter this profession.

There are many different activities and operations, in France or elsewhere (the armed forces, aerial work, airline aviation, business aviation, bush flying…), and each pilot will naturally gravitate towards the position that suits them best, and that is the most important

You just need to listen to different pilots sharing their journeys in a hangar to realize that they are all different and have all shown perseverance.

In the end, the most beautiful job in the world.