Episode 6: A 45 Year Aviation Career – From BOAC to BA TRE to SIA Management Captain
Release Date: 02/20/2025
Episode 7: When Flight Simulators Didn’t Exist – Pilots Before Had to Get It Right the First Time!
The Airline Selection Podcast
Welcome to Episode 7 of the Airline Selection Podcast, brought to you by the Airline Selection Programme! Join your host, airline captain and major airline recruiter Guillaume Debauchez, as he sits down once again with Captain Calvin Shields for another insightful episode in the Calvin Speaks Series. In this episode, Captain Shields takes us back to the early days of his aviation career, when flight simulators were nearly non-existent, and pilots had to train on the actual aircraft. He shares what it was like to earn a type rating on the VC10 without modern training technology and how pilots...
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Episode 6: A 45 Year Aviation Career – From BOAC to BA TRE to SIA Management Captain
The Airline Selection Podcast
Welcome to Episode 6 of the Airline Selection Podcast, brought to you by the Airline Selection Programme! Join your host, airline captain and major airline recruiter Guillaume Debauchez, as he welcomes back Captain Calvin Shields for another fascinating episode in the Calvin Speaks Series. In this episode, Captain Shields takes us on a journey through his 45-year aviation career, from the early days of BOAC to commanding the Boeing 747. He shares firsthand experiences of how flying has evolved—from navigating without GPS to the rise of automation and digital technology. Key topics...
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Episode 5: How UK Aviation Shaped Pilot Career Paths in the 60s and 70s 🇬🇧
The Airline Selection Podcast
Welcome to Episode 5 of the Airline Selection Podcast, brought to you by the Airline Selection Programme. Join your host, airline captain and major airline recruiter Guillaume Debauchez, and special guest Calvin Shields for another insightful episode of the Calvin Speaks Series. In this episode, Calvin takes us through his career journey in aviation, comparing the industry’s early days with today’s evolving landscape. From the exclusive nature of air travel in the 1960s and 70s to the shift in recruitment and pilot demand, Calvin shares valuable insights into how career paths have...
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Episode 4: Learning from Accidents and Incidents
The Airline Selection Podcast
Episode 4 of the Calvin Speaks series on the Airline Selection Podcast is packed with insights for aspiring pilots, cadets, and aviation enthusiasts. Drawing from decades of experience as a pilot and trainer, Calvin Shields offers a deep dive into the evolving aviation landscape alongside host Guillaume Debauchez. Highlights of the episode include: • Discover how modern tools are reshaping the learning process for aspiring pilots • Learn how Calvin and Guillaume have guided countless pilots to success • Practical tips for staying resilient, motivated, and focused during the...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 6 of the Airline Selection Podcast, brought to you by the Airline Selection Programme!
Join your host, airline captain and major airline recruiter Guillaume Debauchez, as he welcomes back Captain Calvin Shields for another fascinating episode in the Calvin Speaks Series.
In this episode, Captain Shields takes us on a journey through his 45-year aviation career, from the early days of BOAC to commanding the Boeing 747. He shares firsthand experiences of how flying has evolved—from navigating without GPS to the rise of automation and digital technology.
Key topics discussed:
- The analogue era of aviation—flying before automation and modern tech.
- Transitioning from BOAC’s VC10 to the iconic Boeing 747, and what it was like flying long-haul trips lasting up to three weeks.
- Climbing the ranks at British Airways and Singapore Airlines, from First Officer to Captain and Line Trainer.
- How he accumulated 27,000+ flight hours and what four decades in the cockpit have taught him about flying, training, and career progression.
From mastering celestial navigation to shaping the next generation of pilots, Captain Shields’ story is a must-listen for aspiring aviators!