Life lessons you learn as a pilot

It is often said that once you enter the aviation industry there’s no return.

You’ll be walking the earth with your head turn skywards.

Given the recent events in the world, many of us have been thinking about how our lives have changed and how they will continue to do so as we discover our new normal.

The aviation industry has a way of changing you, whether you realize it or not.

The greatest lesson that training to be a pilot has taught me is leadership. The power to have the courage of my own conviction.

One of the moments that changed the course of my pilot training was quite early on with my very first instructor. It was a quiet afternoon in May when I had a flight lesson practicing spin recovery.

What some people don’t know is that much of flight training is actually dedicated to practicing and mastering emergency procedures (such as spin recovery, engine failure, stall etc.)

On this particular day my flight instructor and I flew down to the GF and after he demonstrated the spin recovery procedure for me he handed over controls. After I did it the first time he looked at me and said ‘’Okay great. Now do it like you’ve been doing it for years; like you know what you’re doing.''

It is this moment that I often reflect back to even now in my training when I feel slightly overwhelmed. To me there is no one more important to a pilot than their first instructor. My first instructor was the person who taught me the meaning of truly owning ones power.

Pilot training has also developed my discipline and resilience.

Learning how to fly involves learning new motor skills.

‘’Motor learning is a relatively permanent change in the ability to execute a motor skill as a result of practice or experience.

The first characteristic of motor learning is that a process is required to induce a change in the ability to perform skillfully.

The second characteristic of motor learning is that it must occur as a direct result of practice’’.

Training to become a pilot has allowed me to leave my comfort zone and develop a part of my character and personality that I haven’t had the opportunity to develop thus far.

It has allowed me to take ownership of my dreams and my life; to be ‘’A force of nature’’.

Being a pilot means you’re not a passenger. It means when something goes wrong or right, you’re the one that everyone looks to.

You are the expert.

It requires a type of strength and resilience I’ve personally only had to have doing this.

‘’Pilots have a huge responsibility of many lives in our hands. Even a slight mistake can endanger a huge number of lives. Pilots are stressed, but we are well trained to handle this stress and perform to the highest level’’.

This journey has been the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve done and has taught me so much about life.

My thanks go to my CFI for his insights and suggestions that aided me greatly during my training. To my family who have always encouraged my professional and intellectual growth throughout this journey, providing me with a network of willing ears for all of my ideas, successes, and setbacks. And to the amazing individuals I work alongside who have contributed to my journey thus far.