When the Windows Shook: From the War in Ukraine to Sunny Greek Skies
Nikki Jane 
At 4 AM on that February morning in 2022, Alim woke to his windows shaking. Living near Boryspil Airport in Ukraine, he was used to the sounds of aviation, but this was different. As the infrastructure around the airport came under missile attack, he huddled with his family, checking social media feeds, trying to make sense of what was happening. By 9 AM, the reality became clear – war had arrived in Ukraine. For Alim, this moment marked the beginning of a journey that would take him from his home near Kyiv to the sunny skies of Greece.
A Life in Aviation
Born in the Soviet Union and raised in Crimea, Alim's aviation journey began in a world that no longer exists. As the son of a military officer, frequent moves were part of his childhood. When the Soviet Union collapsed, his family chose to make Crimea their home. Despite his father's military background and initial hopes for his son to follow in his footsteps, Alim chose a different path.
The decision wasn't straightforward. He considered attending military cadet school but ultimately opted for general schooling. When the time came for higher education, his father's desire for him to join the military was tempered by the realities of the time – the military university suffered from a lack of government support, with shortages in fuel and equipment. With his mother also advocating for a civilian career, Alim enrolled in Ukraine's State Flight Academy in 2002.
The academy, a comprehensive institution offering education for pilots, air traffic controllers, and civil aviation engineers, provided Alim with his initial Commercial Pilot's License (CPL). Like many new pilots, he faced the challenge of gaining those crucial first flying hours. In 2008, persistence paid off when he secured a position with Lviv Airlines, flying the Yakovlev YAK-42.
His career path reflected the volatile nature of Ukrainian aviation at the time. When Lviv Airlines faced bankruptcy, he moved to Dniproavia Airlines, transitioning to the Embraer 145. This change brought him to Zürich for training – his first experience in an international aviation environment, one that left a lasting impression with its contrasting approach to pilot development.
Political instability continued to shape his career when Dniproavia Airlines also went bankrupt in 2013, leaving aircraft stranded and impounded across European airports. However, this setback led to an opportunity with Ukrainian International Airlines, where he worked from 2013 to 2022, achieving his captain's rank in 2019. During this period, he also returned to the Academy to complete his Ukrainian ATPL studies in 2015.
When Everything Changed
The signs were there in the days before the invasion – half-empty car parks where parking had always been a challenge, neighbours quietly leaving the country. While many fled Ukraine in those days of uncertainty, Alim stayed. Like others who remained, he couldn't quite believe war would come. It seemed impossible, unreal. Though he kept his car's fuel tank full 'just in case', he continued his normal life. He remained in his rented flat near the airport, whilst simultaneously building his own dream house nearby.
The months following the initial invasion tested his resilience in ways he never expected. He relocated his family to western Ukraine, first to Khmelnytski, then to Lviv. As a qualified pilot, he was considered military personnel and couldn't leave Ukraine immediately, needing to remain available for potential military cargo operations if called upon. To support his family financially, he found work in a factory making vehicle parts.
Once Boryspil was considered safe again, he would occasionally return to work on his unfinished house - a much-needed form of therapy. Eventually, like many Ukrainian pilots, he made his way to Poland, where he initially applied, unsuccessfully, to LOT Airlines. Undeterred, he took work as an electrician installing solar panels. Meanwhile, his pilot's license expired.
New Horizons
A LinkedIn post changed everything. Marathon Airlines, based in Greece, was hiring – and they were willing to interview Alim despite his expired license. The successful interview led to a new chapter in his life, with his first flight in August 2023 at the controls of an Embraer 170. While the professional achievement brought excitement, it came with personal challenges – his family chose to remain in Ukraine, meaning most of his communication with his young children now happens through a computer screen.
Never Stop Learning - From ICAO Level 4 to 5
Even with decades of experience and a successful transition to a European airline, Alim wasn't content to rest on his laurels. Though he had held ICAO Level 4 English certification for a long time, he set his sights on Level 5 for his own professional development. The decision was influenced by colleagues who recognised his English proficiency but noted his need for greater confidence. The practical benefits were clear too: Level 5 certification meant testing every six years instead of four, and it opened doors to airlines that required this higher standard.
After discovering my Flight Ready course through LinkedIn, Alim was drawn to the programme's flexible schedule, which accommodated his airline shifts. Despite the course being primarily designed for new and future pilots, he found tremendous value in it, particularly in improving his pronunciation through the live classes. His enthusiasm for learning was such that his only complaint was wanting the course to last longer – a full year if possible! Alim's dedication paid off when he completed the course in March 2025 and successfully achieved his desired ICAO Level 5 shortly after.
Looking Forward
Today, Alim balances his career as a Marathon Airlines captain with his passion for continuous improvement. When he's not in the flight deck, you might find him cycling long distances through the forest or skiing in the mountains. Though he misses Ukraine and stays connected with friends there through the internet, he's building a new life in Wroclaw, Poland while enjoying the opportunities that working for a Greek airline brings.
His future goals include becoming a line training instructor and achieving ICAO Level 6 in English. His advice to future pilots comes wrapped in an analogy from his love of cooking:
“If you want to cook an exceptional meal," he explains, "you must start with the finest ingredients. You can't make a masterpiece from poor quality products. It's the same with becoming a pilot. The best pilots are made from the finest ingredients: hard work, dedicated study, excellent English skills, and the right attitude. Just as a chef carefully selects each ingredient for quality, pilots must invest in developing each of these elements to reach their full potential."
Ready to enhance your aviation English? Flight Ready offers flexible scheduling and personalised attention for both aspiring and experienced pilots. Whether you choose the Full Version (250 hours) or Light Version (150 hours), you'll benefit from a blend of self-study and live lessons tailored to your needs. Book a free consultation today to discuss your aviation English goals.
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Categories: : Student Stories