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Hello, aviation nation! The state of the industry is at an all-time high. Pilot hiring is occurring two times greater than just a few years before. Flight schools are receiving an influx of student pilots eager to join the growing workforce of professionals. We are in a position where "get your time and go to the big leagues" is driving the pilot community. All though this may be a mindset right now, always remember there is so much more to your flight journey you can receive that will maximize your experience.
I was just the other day listening to one of my favorite pilot podcasts "Pilot to Pilot" and the host mentioned, "This is not an industry to chase money, this is not an industry to chase quality of life, and it is not an industry to chase travel. Because it's going to ‘be unpleasant' eventually." This is something you have to genuinely be passionate about to stay in it. Even though you may receive the benefit of monetary gain in the industry, it cannot be your only reason to be an aviator. The aviation industry is very volatile to the state of the economy. Even though we currently see airline pilots getting paid record-high wages to accommodate the growing transportation industry, there is no guarantee this will last long term. There are ways to utilize flights as a time for personal development and learning. Here are some tips on mindfulness during flights, books to read, podcasts, etc.
Mind over Matter
Why did you start your aviation journey? Mindfulness and remembrance of what sparked your love for aviation is important. Start a journal and write in it for 10 minutes daily. This could be entirely your piloting journey, or it could be about anything you feel most passionate about at that moment. Just because you fly planes doesn't mean your whole life has to be centered around your career choices. This brings me to an important meditation activity I want you to try. Ask yourself, "Who am I? And What am I?" Your answer should not be "I am a pilot". Your profession is not your personality. Really think about this question and develop yourself around it. The resilience you display as a pilot comes from the determined and passionate person you are. You'll notice that aviation has made you more aware of certain qualities you already have.
A good pilot is always learning
Never stop learning. Don't be that person whose goals end at CFI, ATP, DPE, Aandamp;P, etc. Always take that next step to learn a new aircraft, if you have single-engine land, then get your seaplane rating. The purpose of pushing yourself to keep learning and getting new ratings is to broaden your horizons and embrace new challenges. No matter what phase you are in, you can always plateau. You can read the FAR/AIM, airplane flying handbook, etc. Many times, but personally experiencing different things gives you more skill than you could ever imagine. Learn from other pilots as well. Some experiences are best learned from the mistakes of others and not to be repeated. Here are some great podcasts you can listen to enhance our development:
• Pilot to Pilot
• There I Was…
• Hanger talk
• Never Again
You can find many of these podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, YouTube, etc.
Here are some great books you can read to help develop your decision-making and mindfulness as a pilot:
• Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage by Kim Campbell
• Fly Girls by Keith O'Brien
• Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History by Von Hardesty
• Above and Beyond: John F. Kennedy and America's Most Dangerous Cold War Spy Mission by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias
Becoming a pilot is difficult. It takes a lot of time, money, and determination. Sometimes we have to be reminded along our journey to be mindful and how to be. There will be hard and disappointing days, but you can utilize flights as a time for personal development and learning. There are many ways to do this through journaling, listening to informational podcasts, reading books, etc. Keep in mind that the skills that you are building as a pilot will benefit you in several ways and by maximizing your flight experience, you can also maximize your personal growth.