So you've made it past the first blog, and probably were intrigued by the title of the second. This post is directed towards those who are in training, or planning to enter the training phase of your career, mind you training for pilots is a very loose term, since we are always training in some form or another (but that's a story for another time). Here, I've highlighted what I consider are the 3 major steps to becoming a pilot in 2020.
1: The Most Important Question.
The first and most important question to ask yourself is, do you REALLY want to do this? By that I mean, are you serious and passionate about being a pilot in Canada? You should sit down and reason with yourself and your family about this before you do anything else. Why? Because while it is beautiful to be in the flight levels going places, or passengers complimenting your super smooth landing, there is a LOT you give up, both financially and personally. It is common knowledge now that becoming a pilot is expensive. If your financial situation requires it, be ready to pull large loans to complete your training to the requirements of the current industry. It is a terrible feeling to have to stall training halfway due to financial constraints (I know too many great pilots who simply came down to that conclusion). Like everything else in aviation, plan accordingly and always have a backup plan.
From the perspective of personal obligations, think about the following. Christmas break? That doesn't quite exist anymore, in fact you are busiest during Christmas. Birthdays? Get ready to eat your cake in the plane on a 3 day trip away from family. Vacation? Not as easy as sending in days off and simply having them approved. The point is, from the first day of your training the sacrifices you make to yourself and that of the family should be noted. If your answer is no, don't fret because you can still join aviation recreationally. Those who can answer this question truthfully manage to make the best of their job, no matter the circumstance.
Bottom line: you need passion and deep faith in yourself to ride the "ups and downs" of this career, and in the long run, this industry.
2. The Grind... Times 2!
Now that the great question has been answered, you pick one of two ways to proceed. For those of you who don't want a professional career, you can research local flight centres and apply for training towards your Private Pilot License (PPL). This will grant you access to flying small aircraft and take your friends for short recreational flights. Getting your PPL isn't easy, especially if you are working a full-time job. The training will be demanding, and at the end you will have to complete both the written and practical exams. For those who want to continue pursuing professionally, you also must first start out achieving your PPL. From there, your training intensifies for Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Add to that separate courses and certifications for your Night Rating, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, IATRA or ATPL, and you quickly realize the grind is long and treacherous. Each one of the aforementioned stages require you to wake up early for training flights, maintain a good schedule for work and rest, along with lots of time to study all the advanced theory behind the practical work.
However, just having all of your professional training is not enough. To remain competitive in the industry, consider getting a degree from an accredited university of college. Over the years the hiring practice in the industry has leaned towards this attribute. This is why for those of you seeking aviation professionally, consider that your academic backing will be a huge leverage, however it will add to the stressors of training. That is to say, while you manage aviation training you will also be responsible for the academic work of a given degree. Your ability to handle both concurrently will help strengthen the skill of multi-tasking, arguably the most valuable attribute in today's candidates. Also remember that having an academic backing protects you in the event that the industry slows down, serving as a "plan B." Therefore, try to find a degree in a field you enjoy, it will only make the learning more enjoyable. So do your research, consider a post-secondary program, and prepare for the grind... times 2!
3: The end of one chapter, the beginning of another.
Once your training comes to an end, you are ready to enter the professional world. A new chapter will begin, one that will test your patience, knowledge, and work ethics. You will be inexperienced and looking to build your resume, thus you will find yourself at a road with 3 realistic pathways. You can choose to instruct at your local flight centre, pack your bags and snag a job working for a company in "the north", or you are granted an airline cadet program. No matter which way you go, the beginning of this chapter will be tougher than the previous, and it will demand more out of you. When the riding gets tough, just go back to the very first part of this post and ask yourself the most important question. You will find the necessary motivation to successfully transition from the end of one chapter, and onto the next.
Kommentare