Insights from the Pros

Have you ever wanted to ask a professional aviator what they wish they'd known earlier in their flying career? We've gathered some invaluable wisdom from pilots in various stages/roles of their flying journeys, from a commercial pilot building experience to a senior legacy captain plus several others, and grouped them into common responses in this post. Remember, the only difference between you and someone in a position you aspire to achieve is time, and it is often about the journey as much as it is about the destination. We know that flying is more than a career/hobby for most aviators, and we love hearing about how individuals have nourished this passion in different capacities and hope you do, too!

What advice would you give someone who is early in their flight training?

Be very persistent and put in the work! Go above and beyond with your training, don't give up and don't let a bad day dictate your path. I can't tell you how many tears I shed or days I wanted to give up but ultimately learned from them. Make sure you also find yourself a good instructor and if you feel like you aren't clicking- speak up. A good instructor is everything with your training!

Clara, Flight Instructor

One thing that is so important, is to find ways to enjoy the process. Don't let every lesson become a "grind"... Ask your flight instructors for the occasional "fun" flight. Rent the airplane for the weekend. Go to a random airport and buy your instructor lunch :) and don't rush too much. Also, I know it costs more money, but trying out different airplanes like learning a tail-wheel airplane and taking some aerobatics lessons, really enhance the training process and provide some really neat opportunities to become a better pilot. One more thing, start networking EARLY.

Nathanael, First Officer, Lear 31 & Hawker 800

Get all your ducks in a row. What I mean by that is, knock out your written(s), have your financials in order, always be a lesson plan ahead with your studying, and above all else knock out your written(s).

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

-Find a study group to at least study with once or twice a week. Definitely study on your own as much as possible but the shared knowledge that happens in group discussions will take you so much farther than going it alone.

-Get the rest of your life in order prior to starting the course. Try to minimize any distractions from family or financial burdens if possible. Pilot training is stressful enough without adding anything else onto it.

-Find a healthy release and aggressively make time for it! Whether it’s 30 minutes a day of going for a run, reading a book (non-aviation related), or spending uninterrupted time with loved ones, the mental return on that time investment is well worth it.

-Use technology to your advantage! Find a flight simulator game, listen to ATC radio calls over a smart phone app, take a zoom call with an instructor or mentor, or simply ask someone on social media for help. There are so many more resources to succeed than we had even 10 years ago but definitely find a mentor!

Howard, Gulfstream G280 Senior Instructor & Pilot Examiner

Avoid taking on too much outside of aviation. If you are already married and your spouse is supportive, consider yourself lucky and don't mess that up. If you are single, it is best to stay that way until you have accomplished some of your aviation goals. The path to an aviation career is tough enough as it is. Loading on other obligations may strengthen your character, but those obligations may hinder your progress and dissuade you from opportunities. 

Work on aviation EVERY DAY, even if it is just reading regs or aviation-related material. 

Become a professional applicant. When looking for a job, send out as many applications, letters, resumes as any particular potential employer might tolerate. Persistence paid off "back in my day" HOWEVER, be sure to temper this advice with knowledge of what current practices are. Point being: Don't be shy about letting employers know you are out there and GENUINELY interested in THEM.

Bruce, Captain, A350

What do you wish you had known, learned sooner, or taken more seriously?

Because of the school that I chose (fast track career program), I was put on the fast track and more focus was put on meeting deadlines and not as much on real life scenarios and application. So, I wish that I had spent more time thinking practically and realistically rather than just memorizing and spitting out information. I was lucky that my instructor forced me to be independent, but I wish I had more so put myself in the PIC mode so that when I became an instructor the learning curve wouldn't have been so steep. 

Clara, Flight Instructor

Good question! I really think that during instrument training, I would have taken the risks more seriously. Once you have that rating, it's really important to continue to "train" and gain actual experience under controlled or supervised conditions.

Nathanael, First Officer, Lear 31 & Hawker 800

Focus on the academics. When I learned, there was a lot of focus on "seat-of-the-pants" flying and not a lot of emphasis (or even compliance) with regs and procedures. KNOW the regs. KNOW the AIM. It'll likely not only keep your license intact, but may save your life. 

I knew this back then and it paid off for me with a major airline job at age 26: SENIORITY is everything in the airline world. Getting hired is great but getting hired sooner is greatER. If you are holding out to leave a current posting because of whatever, seriously consider what you are giving up. As an example, I have flown with many a copilot, older than me, who delayed trying for an airline job to finish one thing or another, or take one posting or another. They ALWAYS voiced regret when sitting next to a Captain 7 years their junior in age but 1500 numbers senior to them in company seniority. 

KNOW what the industry is doing. Read everything you can get your hands on. It is a dynamic environment and a dynamic employment environment. Things change. Airlines on the top of everyone's wish list in year one end up low in desirability in year 25 and vice-versa. When I was coming up, major cargo carriers were everyone's "fallback" job choice. Today, they are where some of the best careers are pay-, seniority-, equipment- and route-wise. No one has a perfect crystal ball. The only thing you can do is arm yourself with all the information that's out there and keep your ear to the ground to follow trends. 

Don't ever categorically slam the door on any opportunity. 

BE NICE to everyone.....that baggage handler may be your company's CEO one day. More often seen on a practical level is the copilot you fly with at the commuter may later be in charge of hiring at the major you're trying to get on with. BE NICE. 

Bruce, Captain, A350

What would you do differently, if anything?

My journey was very slow. I ran a small business for 12 years, and while it funded my training and most of my hours, it took so many years to build my time. I think doing it over, I would have been less picky about quality of life and just gotten my time up in order to become marketable.

Nathanael, First Officer, Lear 31 & Hawker 800

I never got my CFI and I wish I had. While I still got to the airlines a CFI would have helped. First off I can't teach my friends especially the student pilots. Secondly, the airlines definitely prefer to hire CFIs. Going back to get it after you've been out of the GA classroom isn't the easiest. 

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

Taken my own advice! I hadn’t made the decision to become a professional pilot until well after I had obtained all my certificates and ratings. If I had set my goals earlier. I could have accelerated my training instead of dragging it out.

Howard, Gulfstream G280 Senior Instructor & Pilot Examiner

Tough question because I was lucky all the way down the line. I made some mistakes but none were severe enough to justify a course correction over the career-long look. I lucked out in getting on at a great airline, made good equipment choices. I gave up some money, but gained in fun. I guess I would say that I should have studied harder and been more of a scientific student of aviation.

Bruce, Captain, A350

What has been the most rewarding part of your aviation journey?

The most rewarding thing has been seeing my growth as a person. I have never been pushed so much mentally and seeing how much that has shaped me now from the last three years- it is really cool to see how far I have come. Also, the people I have met and watching other student's and instructor's journeys. I love catching up with people I went through training with and seeing how far they have come as well.

Clara, Flight Instructor
 

Definitely the people along the way and the many lasting relationships that have enriched my life. I've gotten to see so many places and travel with so many wonderful people.

Nathanael, First Officer, Lear 31 & Hawker 800

Giving back. I mentor in a few official and unofficial ways. Helping people through training and guiding them to hopefully not make the same mistakes I did is one of the best aspects of all the work it took to get here.

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

Jimmy Buffett said that his songs would always come, through "the people, the places and Callwood's Rum..." ASIDE of the rum, DEFINITELY, this career offers tremendous rewards in the PEOPLE - AIRLINE PEOPLE ARE THE BEST; the PLACES - from surfing at sunrise at Waikiki to hiking the Rhine River in the snow to scuba diving in Palau. If you have any wanderlust in you AT ALL....the airlines are the right track. SO....keep that in mind when selecting potential jobs. Money isn't everything. I gave up tons of money to bid down to a smaller airplane that fly to the islands in the South Pacific for a year just to do that kind of flying. I don't regret it for a minute, although my bank account does. You will meet tremendous people, not only at your airline, but at other airlines as well. We are all one BIG family.

Bruce, Captain, A350

What is the greatest challenge you overcame along the way?

The amount of times I wanted to quit instructing. It was truly the most challenging but also rewarding experience. There are days you want to give up and find another job, but also seeing your student succeed- there is nothing like it.

Clara, Flight Instructor

I went through a flight school known to get students done fast. I flew 2 sometimes 3 flights a day, while flying every single day of the week for just a little over 4 months. The mental and physical fatigue were at times overwhelming but I told myself it was temporary and counted down the days until it was over. 

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

Balancing work, family and flight training.

Howard, Gulfstream G280 Senior Instructor & Pilot Examiner

What is a goal you had/have and how did/will you accomplish it?

My goal was to make it to the airlines! I start the end of March at Breeze Airways. I accomplished this by flying sun up to sun down and not having a life besides flying airplanes for the last few years and it was so worth it! 

Clara, Flight Instructor

A goal I still have is to get my multi engine seaplane cert. Single engine sea was the most fun I have ever had in an airplane and two is better than one so I'm very excited. A goal I had and in a sense still have is to give back. I did a lot of this on my own but people helped along the way too. I got a lot of advice, some good, some bad but the one thing I got that was always good was encouragement.

This isn't a job for everyone, the mountain is high and the road is long but if you truly love to fly keep moving, one foot in front of the other. Move towards your goals even if it's just one step, a day of studying when you can't fly, a day you put an extra dollar into your flying fund. Whatever it takes keep it going. Whatever the struggle is, if you love to fly, this is the place for you. There's a seat with your name on it, I sit in one of them every day. 

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

I never have been one to really set goals, just kinda went with the flow of life and as opportunities were presented I accepted them. Not to say that setting goals is not a good thing, it absolutely can be!

Howard, Gulfstream G280 Senior Instructor & Pilot Examiner

Anything you'd like to add?

Not just saying this because Lo is editing this BUT- I would seriously not be anywhere I am today without my instructor that I had throughout my entire training. I got so lucky and I tell all my students this. I really know that the only reason I am where I am today is because of her. She was so patient with me and pushed me to be better every single flight. She was the greatest role model and influence throughout my entire training. That being said- find yourself a good mentor or someone to look up to! They mean everything with this career.

Clara, Flight Instructor

Becoming a professional pilot is a long road, and it's difficult at times, but it's very fulfilling.

Nathanael, First Officer, Lear 31 & Hawker 800

No one's path is the same. While getting into this industry may seem cut and dry it really isn't. Try not to compare yourself to the next pilot because you're not the next pilot. Keep moving forward and make connections along the way. Lastly if you skip everything I mentioned, get your writtens done ASAP. 

Evan, Captain, CRJ-900

Aviation has such a large tent with so many areas of operation, there is something here for everybody, so don’t limit yourself to just one part. Don’t be afraid to explore all aspects and be open to try new things!

Howard, Gulfstream G280 Senior Instructor & Pilot Examiner

As you start down your career path, be obnoxious about taking pictures. With the modern digital camera phone, there is no reason to NOT have a huge portfolio of awesome photos of people, places, airplanes and FACILITIES by the time you retire. Notice I emphasized FACILITIES....seems odd BUT: In the years that I have been flying, some airports went from tiny outdoor terminals and airstairs to huge glassy structures with jetways. Nothing beats looking back on old photos of the airports, pilot lounges, terminals, runways, taxiways, layover hotels from the "old days" Remember....on any given day, you are living in the "old days." Be sure to memorialize as much of the experience as you can up to the point of being, as I said, obnoxious. GOOD LUCK. HAVE FUN. BE CAREFUL. 

Bruce, Captain, A350

If you have a specific question you'd like answered, send it our way and we'll see if we can forward it to one or more of the participants! We hope some of these responses resonate with you and nspire you in continuing your flying path; we'll help however we can to grow your aviation passion like these exemplars. A key theme we especially love is the benefit of reflecting on your path so far and how important it is to take your time. Also, the need to be patient with yourself and allowing room for making and learning from mistakes is a sentiment worth echoing; while we hope our students set goals for themselves, we don't wish to see anyone being unnecessarily hard on themselves. While this trait isn't unique to pilots, it is one we strive to minimize for our students. Thank you again to all of the pilots who shared their wisdom, we aspire to play a role in facilitating similar success and have learned some key ways to do so.