Many times pilots would be asked usual question: “How did you start with flying?”

My name is Sinej and aviation has been a passion of mine since I was a little kid. I always dreamt about becoming a pilot, had airplanes posters all over my room, read books and magazines, watched movies etc. Prior to 9/11 I would almost always ask flight attendants if I could visit the cockpit … I couldn’t imagine not becoming a professional pilot. That thought was not an option for me. I created Pilot Sinej webpage to share my story and try to provide some useful insights how to realize a dream in becoming a Professional Pilot.

But my path to becoming a pilot was a bit longer that usual. After graduating from high school I enrolled into the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in our capital Ljubljana, Slovenia because in order to become a pilot for Slovenian Air Force or (back then existing National carrier) Adria Airways, one had to finish this Faculty. Don’t ask me why, but looking at the history, usually in former-communist countries they had a thing for Mechanical Engineering schools which, at least according to my knowledge, wasn’t the case in the West.

Since money was a problem in our family in terms of paying high costs of becoming a pilot, I soon switched my educational “direction” and enrolled into Faculty of Economics in Maribor, Slovenia. I figured this will help me get into business and maybe someday I could afford paying for Flight School. I was right, but didn’t know it would take a bit longer then initially desired.

In 2006 I opened my own side-business Fresh Marketing and started working in Digital Marketing. As months and years went by, I was learning a lot about business and Digital World, but I was also aware that I am getting older and my prospects of becoming a Professional Pilot were moving further and further.

In aviation time and age are quite important. Why you might ask? Well, according to current legislation, Commercial License is valid up to 65 years of age (even though this just got prolonged to 67 in the States) due to shortage of Pilots worldwide as a result of Covid-19. So, as I was getting older, I became used to the idea that I was never going to sit in the cockpit and enjoy the best scenery ones career might provide.

With time business was slowely improving and at the same time I met a friend from Italy who told me that he is a so called 0-ATPL student not far from where I lived at the time. I didn’t even know this school existed. I contacted the ATO (Approved Training Organisation) and asked for an offer in case I decided to move into Aviation.

At this time I was already 42 years old (this was in the Summer of 2020). I got a response from the school a few hourse after an inquiry was sent and was plesently surrprised by the offer. I started seriously thinking about re-lighting this fire in my heart for aviation. As I was playing with the idea to start flying I became more and more interested.

In July 2021 I went for a Medical Check to see if I was fit for CPL (Commercial Pilot License). After 8 hours of exeminations and a psychological assessment at the end, I needed to wait 14 days to get the results.

I recieved a Class 1 Medical Certificate which was a green light in case I wanted persue Commercial License. Soon after that I decided to go for it and do all I can in order to become a Professional Pilot, regardless of my age. I knew this was in reality my first and last chance so I needed to go for it.

In September, 2021 I started with Modular 0-ATPL Course. In January, 2022 I had my first solo, on February 3, 2022 passed PPL (Private Pilot’s License) and was on my way towards the ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) theory (more about the whole procedure in blog), MEP (Multi-engine Piston Rating), MEIR (Multi-engine Instrument Rating), Night VFR (Night Visual Flight Rules), completed A-UPRT and then finally CPL.

To fast-forward a bit: in June I finished Night VFR Rating flying in Graz, Austria. Upon completion I immediately started with CPL, flying in Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 12. July, 2023 I had my CPL exam which I passed, recieving a CPL license from CAA Slovenia a few days later.