While watching TFA, I was wondering how comes Rey can pilot ships. I understand she’s a scavenger, and she might’ve learned about mechanics in her work (though unlikely in real life), but when did she learn how to fly too? I mean, Luke has been in the Academy for some time before ANH, but what about Rey? She seems so poor she can only afford buying food, nevermind going to the Academy.
Without a proper answer from the movie, I’d say it’s too convinient to the writers that she’s got all those skills to show off just at the right time 😄
Wait, where was it said Luke had already been in the Imperial Academy before ANH? I thought the whole issue with Luke/Lars was that he wanted to join the Academy but Lars denied him over and over again (Luke: “Yeah, that’s what you said last time too”.) Luke from what I understand had the natural talent just like his father of piloting (I’m pretty sure Luke mentioned he piloted a T-16 through Beggar’s Canyon).
Also, Rey’s piloting isn’t exactly flawless. That Falcon took some dings and nicks during that sequence. The reason she could pull off those maneuvers and escape was because of the Force. Remember Obi-Wan’s line? “In my experience, there is no such thing as luck.”
On top of that, I’m pretty sure Rey had plenty of opportunities flying ships. She, however, chose to stay on Jakku simply because she feared if she left, then she might miss her chance to see her parents again. Rey in her spare time could had learned over the years to learn how ships work, learn to fix them, and eventually learn how to fly them in her spare time.