Back on Board: Eastern Airways Crew Reconnect with ASI Roots

Former Air & Space Institute (ASI) students Marcel Marzec and Luke Wordsworth returned this week to where it all began to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.

Now flying high as Cabin Crew for national airline Eastern Airways, Marcel and Luke took time out of their rosters to return to ASI, sharing their journeys, experiences, and insights with current students. The pair were joined by Captain Graham Roberts, a former ASI lecturer and now an Eastern Airways pilot, completing a powerful reunion of alumni now thriving within the aviation industry.

Taking Flight After ASI

Marcel and Luke both graduated in 2024 as part of ASI’s second cohort (2022–2024), studying the pilot pathway. Their journeys are a testament to the idea that careers in aviation are rarely linear – and that sometimes, the route to the cockpit begins in the cabin.

Marcel Marzec, aged 19, joined Eastern Airways in October 2024, shortly after finishing at ASI. With an enduring passion for aviation and aspirations to become a pilot, Marcel is already making waves. “I’ve loved every moment flying as Cabin Crew,” he shared, with eyes already set on achieving his ATPL to transition to the flight deck in the future.

Luke Wordsworth, also 19, initially considered careers in RAF electrical engineering or architecture. But an impactful lecture sparked a new ambition for aviation – one that saw him apply to ASI and, later, to Eastern Airways in February 2025, starting his training just weeks later. He now hopes to gain experience on long-haul flights and, one day, also obtain his pilot’s licence.

Training the Wings

Both Marcel and Luke detailed the rigorous training that prepared them for life in the skies, from emergency procedures such as managing disruptive passengers, ditching, and search-and-rescue drills, to aero-medical protocols.

They also completed line training — real-world experience on active flights with paying passengers, supervised by a trainer. Across a minimum of eight sectors, they progressed from shadowing professionals to independently handling duties.

Today, their responsibilities as Cabin Crew include everything from safety briefings and security checks to delivering in-flight services, overseeing boarding and disembarkation, managing turbulence protocols, and post-flight reset procedures.

There have already been some exciting highlights - including chartered flights for Premier League football teams, and even an F1 crew to Nice, France.

Beyond the Job Description

The lecture also covered the less glamorous, often overlooked aspects of the role — including roster planning, duty hours, and disruption pay. Captain Graham offered further insight into a pilot’s schedule, route planning, and typical daily flight hours, providing a full-circle view of aviation careers.

Students were eager to ask questions, with a recurring theme emerging: aviation is a journey, not a straight line. Both Luke and Marcel entered ASI on the pilot track, and though they’ve taken flight as Cabin Crew, their long-term ambitions remain aligned with their original goal - to captain an aircraft.

Classroom Knowledge, Real-World Relevance

One of the most valuable insights they shared was how much of their ASI education came into play during training — from interrelationships and conflict management to aircraft dispatch, onboard operations, and even meteorology.

“Many of these units seem unrelated to the role and day-to-day life as Cabin Crew,” said Luke, “but we encounter them daily.”

Marcel added, “As Cabin Crew, we need to understand how the aircraft is loaded and balanced, the weather conditions surrounding the aircraft, and even the physics behind flight — it’s all about helping passengers and being safe.”

Whether working in the cabin or aiming for the cockpit, Eastern Airways’ newest recruits prove that ASI continues to deliver not only industry-ready graduates, but passionate professionals committed to flying further.