After dedicating 13 years to the Metropolitan Police, a London officer has made a dramatic career shift, trading his uniform for a pilot's licence in a move that cost nearly £100,000.
From the Beat to the Cockpit
Ben Phillips, now 34, joined the Met at the age of 18, fulfilling a childhood ambition. However, after over a decade of service, he decided he'd had enough. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Phillips cited increasing rules, office politics, and the emotional toll of "almost 13 years of seeing life and death" as key factors in his decision to leave.
He also pointed to changes in the police pension age and the challenge of balancing work with a growing family. While still serving, the father-of-three began exploring a latent passion for aviation, juggling police duties with pilot training from 2019 onwards.
The High Cost of a Dream
Phillips's journey began with a trial flight gifted to him, which inspired him to apply to the Wizz Air Pilot Academy. He progressed through the stages, but faced a significant financial hurdle: the training fees, which can range from £70,000 to £130,000 for UK pilots.
"I paid £98,000," Phillips revealed. To fund this, he took out loans and remortgaged the family home. He also enrolled in a degree course to access a student loan, which helped cover part of the licence cost. After two-and-a-half years of intense training and exams, he qualified with a commercial licence.
An additional step, being 'rated on an aircraft' to fly specific planes, was covered by Wizz Air in his case, though he notes other airlines might charge £25,000-£30,000 for this.
A New Perspective at 30,000 Feet
Now fully qualified, Phillips describes his first passenger flight as "amazing", a rewarding culmination of relentless effort. His new career offers spectacular perks, including witnessing the Northern Lights from the cockpit more than ten times, particularly on routes to Tromsø in Norway.
Critically, he has found a better work-life balance. As a pilot and trainer for Wizz Air, he works in blocks—such as five days on, four days off—which he says is "perfect" for his busy family life with three young children.
When asked about a return to policing, Phillips ruled out a regular officer role but would consider joining the National Police Air Service (NPAS) as a pilot later in his career, closer to retirement.
His story highlights a significant mid-life career transformation, driven by personal fulfilment and a desire for a more manageable lifestyle, despite the substantial financial investment required.
