Throwback Thursday: Roche Ekanga- Operations Officer with TUI

This week we catch up with Roche Ekanga, a former Lowton C of E High School pupil who studied at Winstanley College from 2018 – 2020 taking A-levels in Biology, French, Geography and EPQ.  He now works for leading travel company TUI and aspires to become an airline pilot.

Roche told us:  ‘After finishing College, I went straight to Buckinghamshire New University to study Airline and Airport Management. My decision was inspired by my passion for aviation. I had never even heard of Buckinghamshire until my Personal Tutor mentioned it to me. It’s not the biggest university, but it’s one of the best for aviation studies

Since graduating in 2023, I’ve been working in operations for TUI, using my expertise to thrive in the aviation industry. While I enjoy my current role, my ultimate goal is to become a pilot.

Due to the nature of my job, I work an average of 14 to 15 days per month, which gives me a lot of time off. That’s when I dedicate my time toward my goal of becoming an airline pilot. As of the start of 2025, I have a Private Pilot’s License and a Night Rating. There are still a few steps ahead, but hopefully within the next two or three years, I’ll get there.

For anyone thinking of becoming a pilot, my advice is to have something to fall back on, like a university degree or any other qualification. Even if flying is all you want to do in life, keep your options open for more. You don’t have to be a maths or physics genius; a lot of that will come with time.

Looking back on my time at Winstanley, I’d say: enjoy, make memories, and learn as much as you can. Winstanley is the best preparation for university. Be prepared to bump into other students who are just as good as you are at what you do. It’s one of the coolest places you’ll go to. There’s always a lot going on, and it seems to be perfectly designed for students to make new friends.’