SHE was just seven years old when she decided she wanted to be a commercial pilot.

And after years of dedication and hard work, Sam Hockley is living the dream.

The 26-year-old has spoken of her “wow” moment when she landed a 757 on the runway at Bournemouth Airport – the very place she began her career as a 15-year-old work experience student.

Former Corfe Hills pupil Sam said her real desire to work in the airline industry was sparked when she was a young girl and was allowed into the flight deck during holiday trips.

And she finally decided it was a career for her when she was just 14.

Sam managed to bag herself a week’s work experience at Bournemouth Airport shadowing Service Air staff and at the age of 16 she took her first flight with Bournemouth Flying Club.

“My parents bought me a lesson for my birthday and after my first flight I was hooked. I was bitten by the bug,” she said.

By 17, Sam had secured herself a job at the airport as a passenger agent, boarding flights at the weekend and in the school holidays.

And when she had finished her A-levels in physics, maths and geography, Sam began working full time at the airport as a passenger agent and was promoted to dispatcher.

In 2004 Sam secured her private pilot’s licence and the following year underwent several assessments with CTC training school.

She travelled to New Zealand for the CTC Wings programme and undertook a year of training before returning to Southampton for jet orientation and other training.

After completing her training Sam joined Monarch in 2007 and has been working for them ever since, living in Crawley with husband Russ to be near Gatwick.

Speaking about her job, Sam said: “There is something about it. Every day is different and the crews are lovely. It is great doing something you love and visiting different places.”

It was in November when Sam experienced her “wow” moment as she flew a 757 from Gatwick to Bournemouth ready for a New York Shopper trip – greeted by her parents, family and friends.

“It was really interesting. The airport has changed so much since I was there.

“It was weird being back but I was quite proud as it marked the change I have been through from a work experience girl to a pilot.”