Contributors to this story:
• John McDermott, PPOT Member
• John Hackworth, PPOT Founder and Former President
• Vesselin Slaveykov, PPOT Founder and Former Vice President
• Cameron Shulak, PPOT Former President
• Oliver Boucher, PPOT Vice-President of Operations
• Joseph Tar Schmidt, PPOT President
• Emily Kretschmer, PPOT Vice-President of Industry Relations
In any industry, there are unique challenges to cultivating a culture of success, professionalism, and legacy. Aviation certainly is no exception! Professional Pilots of Tomorrow was created in 2016 by founders, John Hackworth, Marc Cervantes, and Vesselin Slaveykov, as an IRS charitable 501 (c) (3), non-profit nationwide organization to address the need for unbiased mentorship in the industry, proudly provided free of cost to all members. From its humble beginnings as a small group of pilots looking to share their experience and guidance, it has grown into an organization of nearly 2,500 members. Professional Pilots of Tomorrow prides itself on supporting pilots through the sharing of information, knowledge, and guidance based on three key tenets—Confidential, Insightful, and Unbiased.
As we approach the ten-year anniversary of PPOT’s inception, we would like to thank Craig Pieper, and the entire team at Aero Crew News for this opportunity to share the history of our organization, highlight our members and their stories, and to keep you in the loop about what we are doing to support the future of aviation in the United States.
Founder and former PPOT President, John Hackworth, shares the following regarding his experience with the organization:
Professional Pilots of Tomorrow started out of necessity—a need for a community that supported one another through mentorship, network building and the dissemination of unbiased advice, information and resources—an idea between friends that formed a community from which countless relationships, connections, and careers have been forged. Making informed career-path decisions is critical to achieving long-term job satisfaction; the question then is simple—where and how does one find guidance?
A recurring issue with mentorship spanning multiple industries is, of course, the limitations of the mentors’ backgrounds and experience, and how those align with the ambitions and curiosities of the mentees. Unique to Professional Pilots of Tomorrow is the community we have built. Members are provided with various tools to bridge the gap, such as our “Pilot Directory,” which mentors are instructed to utilize in facilitating further connections for the mentee depending on their interests. This allows our mentors to leverage our greatest assets; the combined experience, background, and knowledge of hundreds of pilots to provide the best experience possible for our mentees, and to help answer important questions before making career-altering decisions. In a seniority-based industry, it is important that our members can be introduced to the “big picture,” and become informed about all of the opportunities available to them.
Fundamentally, Professional Pilots of Tomorrow is a means for helping others. Ingrained into the mission, the culture of the leadership team, and the very DNA of the organization is one simple concept—if we can say that we helped at least one pilot navigate their career, then we have succeeded in fulfilling our obligation.
I’m proud to see how many lives PPOT has positively impacted. The relationships and bonds created through PPOT are countless, and to this day, over nine years since we first began, the friendships formed are probably my favorite part of this community.
Mentorship Success
Anyone who has spent time in the aviation industry appreciates the value of a high-quality network. Many have found their first aviation job, been hired at their dream airline, or taken the next step in their career because of someone they knew.
Equally, many people join the aviation industry without any guidance or knowledge of how to get through training, build flight time, and find entry positions en route to their dream career. While PPOT is most visible on social media and at industry-wide conferences, the most vital part of our day-to-day organization is our one-on-one mentorship program. Hundreds of volunteers support the organization to ensure consistent, quality mentorship on a day-to-day basis. PPOT walks with people of all backgrounds; pilots with varied experience levels, unique hopes, goals, and aspirations to ensure long-term aviation success.
PPOT member Jacob Gleske shares that PPOT helped him get back into aviation after taking a non-aviation job out of flight school. Although he was forced to earn a living elsewhere due to the financial recession in the early 2010s, Jacob used PPOT as a path back into the flight deck as soon as he was able, and he eagerly shared with us that PPOT gave him the confidence to trust that he could follow his dream while still providing for his family.
Some PPOT members make complete career changes to become pilots. Member Atanas Malamov had a successful dance career when he decided he wanted to make a shift into aviation. With nobody else to turn to, with no aviation in the family, Atanas joined PPOT, and is grateful for his PPOT mentor, Mitch, who was present through all his training to offer advice, encouragement, and firsthand industry insight. Not only was Atanas’ mentor an important career aid, he also became a close friend, and the two have met in person to fly, chat, and grow together in their careers. Now flying at a national Part-135 air carrier, Atanas is a PPOT mentor himself and is excited to help the next generation of pilots launch their careers. Atanas says his story is a great reminder of “how mentorship can lift a dream off the ground—and keep it soaring.”
Behind The Scenes
Key to PPOT’s day-to-day operations is the proprietary Pilot Management Portal (PMP) developed by PPOT’s in-house technology team, consisting of Riley Shannon and former President Cameron Shulak. The Pilot Management Portal (PMP) can be found on the organization’s website, (www.theppot.org), and is accessible to each member, after completing the sign-up process. The PMP allows mentors to submit regular updates they receive from their mentees, as well as provide direct feedback to the organization. The portal allows mentees to access various resources that are available exclusively to PPOT members, including discounts with partner organizations such as the popular logbook software, LogTen Pro, powerful training tools from SkyBot AI and Lindbergh AI, and even tuition discounts from Purdue University Global.
One of the most useful resources members can use is the Airline Comparison Chart. For those who are looking to take a step towards the airlines, the Airline Comparison Chart provides valuable information in a simple format that is easy to navigate. Whether an aviator wishes to compare pay, pilot domiciles or any of many other key variables, this can be done easily across many ultralow-cost and regional carriers while utilizing the Airline Comparison Chart. This resource plays a critical role in allowing members to make the most informed career decisions possible.
Another resource provided for our membership is the mentor directory, mentioned by founder John Hackworth. In addition to having an assigned mentor, members can access this directory to facilitate communication with countless other mentors with various backgrounds who may be better able to answer specific questions. The aviation community has a vast body of knowledge and experience, and it is crucial for the next generation to be able to tap into it through this shared community. Just as pilots do during any flight, members of PPOT are strongly encouraged to utilize all available resources to ensure success.
Subject to the state of the hiring environment at any given time, historically, Professional Pilots of Tomorrow has also offered the “Low Time Networking Program” that aims to educate members regarding pilot-career opportunities that do not require qualifications equivalent to ATP minima. While many newly minted commercial pilots decide to pursue a path as a certified flight instructor, there are others who do not wish to instruct and would prefer to pursue other opportunities. This is where the Low Time Networking Program can benefit PPOT members as opportunities with the organization’s partners are highlighted on the PMP.
While Professional Pilots of Tomorrow currently has numerous resources available, it is working to expand resources through future projects and is open to partnerships with organizations willing to support its mission.
Not only can it be incredibly difficult for upcoming pilots to decide which company they may like to apply to, but it can be difficult to even know when to begin this arduous process. Many airlines offer pathways to the right seat of an airliner that begin as soon as the completion of an instrument rating. To help navigate this process, Professional Pilots of Tomorrow will be launching “The Airline Cadet Program” in 2025.
The Airline Cadet Program aims to be a reliable resource to provide information pertaining to many current cadet programs. Like anything in aviation, it is important to identify an “end goal,” and then determine how best to work towards accomplishing that goal. Members will be able to use the Airline Cadet Program to learn about which cadet programs are affiliated with which airline. This will be an effective way for members of PPOT to begin to plot a career path towards their airline of choice.
This program is also designed to help those who are uncertain about which path to the airlines they would like to take. It will provide important information like application requirements, benefits and flow agreements. Taking individual preferences into consideration, members will be able to weigh potential options and decide which cadet programs may make sense for them. Joining a cadet program is a big step towards accomplishing the goal of becoming an airline pilot and PPOT is excited to support pilots during this process.
Professional Pilots of Tomorrow is also excited to introduce the “Military Transition Program” slated for late 2025. The organization is grateful for the service of the many men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The sacrifices service members and their families endure is deeply appreciated and not taken for granted. Therefore, PPOT is working to make support for current and former members of the military a focal point of the organization. The Military Transition Program will be designed to aid those who are currently in the discharge process, or have recently discharged, from the military. Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be extremely difficult, especially when a clear path to a civilian job has not yet been established. Members who opt into this program will be paired with a mentor who is a military veteran. The mentors will support mentees in making the transition by means of reflecting on their own personal experiences as well as drawing upon current available resources.
Continued Mentorship Success
One mentee, Rich Couture, started as an Air Force pilot and connected with PPOT while transitioning to the airlines. After 20 years in the military, civilian flying was an entirely new world from what was comfortable and familiar. PPOT was a key resource for Rich, who shares that his personal mentor, Stephen Griffiths, dedicated countless hours of phone calls and emails, as well as résumé coaching, to assist with his transition to the airlines. With PPOT’s help, Rich was selected for Southwest Airlines' Destination 225 Military Pathway Program. Rich has since flowed into a first-officer position at Southwest flying the Boeing 737 and is looking forward to an exciting and successful career.
“Here's a photo from my first flight last year (LAS-BOI) which I will always cherish,” Rich says. “Thank you PPOT & Keep on Aiming High Everyone!”
No matter in what phase our members are in their lives, PPOT is eager to help them grow as professional aviators and uplift them. We love success stories, and we are eager to continue expanding to reach as many people as possible.
Community Engagement
PPOT has the unique opportunity to partner with industry leaders and attend industry-wide conferences, year-round. Of particular importance have been partnerships with companies such as LogTen Pro (the first major partnership our organization landed), as well as Spitfire Elite Consulting and Purdue University Global. PPOT is grateful to those organizations that believe in our mission to make aviation more accessible to pilots from various backgrounds and is excited for future opportunities available to the organization.
We have enjoyed opportunities to attend a number of industry conferences over the years, such as those hosted by OBAP, PAPA, WAI, and NGPA. These conferences help us reach a wider audience and allows us to connect in person with pilots in need of guidance from members who share similar identities. With appearances planned at conferences throughout the year and across the nation, PPOT plans to continue growing and expanding its reach, and is particularly grateful to these organizations for supporting our mission, despite our limited financial resources. (Each of our 600+ mentors is a volunteer.)
We are also excited to announce partnerships with Lindbergh AI and Skybot AI, two start-up companies that have developed tools to make the training process for student pilots as seamless as possible. As we continue to grow our reach, we are excited to provide not only quality mentorship but also offer members more options to learn and develop as pilots.
As PPOT’s mentorship network grows, so does our desire to support our members. Connecting so many like-minded aviators means there is a wide group to offer support. Some members of our network are especially skilled in certain areas and can offer expertise in a variety of situations, and even connections to assist new pilots land their next position.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all completely upended by a crisis directly affecting our industry. Rather than being idle, the organization’s leadership sprang into action, creating the “Pilot Support Network,” offering members an opportunity to discuss their situations with confidentiality. The program offered additional resources to members through a challenging time in the industry via webinars and town-hall meetings.
Another Happy Story
Mentee Andy Mak joined PPOT last year and recently achieved an important milestone, his first pilot certification! Andy shares his story:
My experience with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) has been nothing short of transformative. I met PPOT President Joseph Schmidt on a flight from Paris to New York. I was a student pilot in the jetway, and he graciously welcomed my request to visit the flight deck—a simple gesture that led to an incredible mentorship and support system. Prior to joining the program, I had the misconception that success in aviation required significant financial means or a family legacy in the industry. I found myself overwhelmed by the complex and often intimidating path to becoming a professional pilot. Through Joseph’s thoughtful and consistent mentorship, I was able to craft a personalized and realistic pathway toward my goals. His support—including regular check-ins and a mock checkride during a particularly challenging period—helped me regain the confidence I needed to pass my Private Pilot License (PPL) checkride on the first attempt. Thanks to the guidance of PPOT, Joseph, and my exceptional flight instructor Matt McKeon, I now feel equipped and inspired to continue my journey in aviation.
As we know, aviation is an expensive industry to join, and costs continue to increase. In 2019, PPOT launched its first scholarship to directly support the future of aviation, awarding $1,500 to recipient Krista Morisen. Despite the hurdles and challenges faced in 2020 during the world-wide pandemic, it continued to provide support with additional scholarships. In 2021, PPOT was proud to announce a partnership with LogTen Pro to provide additional scholarships in support of our mission, and all are extremely grateful for their support throughout the years. In particular, we’d like to recognize Paul Edney for his unwavering commitment to supporting our organization. Last year, Spitfire Elite Consulting sponsored two $2,500 scholarships, further increasing our reach. Most recently, we received an anonymous donation of $5,000 to fund the 2025 PPOT “Carmen John Lomando Memorial Scholarship.”
Scholarships
Amanda Herrera, a winner of the 2025 PPOT Carmen John Lomando Memorial Scholarship shared the following regarding her experience:
Aviation has always been my passion, but mentorship has been my lifeline. Without the guidance of pilots who came before me, navigating flight training while balancing work and financial challenges would have been overwhelming. From earning my Private Pilot’s License while furloughed as a flight attendant during the pandemic, to now preparing for my commercial certificate and cadet interview with PSA Airlines, I’ve leaned on the wisdom and encouragement of my aviation community.
Receiving the 2025 Carmen John Lomando Memorial Scholarship is not just financial support—it’s a reminder that I am never alone on this journey. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue the cycle of mentorship, supporting future pilots through Professional Pilots of Tomorrow. If you're chasing a dream, find your community and keep going. I promise, it’s worth it.
Our scholarship department consists of many dedicated volunteers led by mentor David Correa. It continues to seek opportunities for funding and reviews hundreds of applications each year using a multi-step rubric to award scholarships to candidates who demonstrate excellence and meet various eligibility criteria.
Kayla Maedche, another winner of this year’s scholarship, said this about her experience with the program:
I have been flight training in the Midwest since 2022. Flying has always been a passion of mine as a child, marked by moments of earning airline wing pins on my first commercial flight, flying with a family friend, and watching planes fly overhead from the nearby airport. I love being able to use my life to help positively impact other people: I work as a high-school teacher, serve as a chaplain for our local Civil Air Patrol squadron, and volunteer weekly at my church. I have been on 13 different serving trips in nine different countries in the last 11 years. My dream is the same for aviation—to use it not as a hobby or a paycheck, but to do mission work and deliver humanitarian aid in remote areas of the world. Every single person deserves access to live a healthy, successful, joy-filled life! This scholarship will be a tremendous help to me as I almost had to quit taking lessons several times this spring, because I just could not make ends meet between multiple jobs to pay for continual lessons. Thank you so much, PPOT! Thank you for helping me pursue my dreams!
Since the inception of our first scholarship in 2019, PPOT is proud to announce that it has awarded $21,000 to 12 deserving recipients from varied backgrounds. We encourage you to support our mission if you are able and are forever grateful to the many people who have donated their time, efforts, and financial support to help us with our goals.
Conclusion
We’d like to conclude our story with a message from our President, Joseph Tar Schmidt.
We appreciate you taking the time to read about our organization. I have enjoyed my nine years as a member of this incredible group of aviators. After joining as a mentee and relatively new entrant to the industry, PPOT has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow and give back to this industry. As Professional Pilots of Tomorrow continues to grow, we are actively seeking new volunteers to join our team. Currently, we are looking for additional team members for the following departments:
● IT (coding experience preferred)
● Fundraising & Events
● Lead Mentors
● Outreach
I’d also like to take this opportunity to ask that if you are able, please consider making a donation to our organization. We are proud to be able to support the industry free of charge for all of our members, and as a non-profit organization, we rely entirely on your support. We are pleased to offer the ability to accept donations of any amount, on both a one-time and automatically recurring basis. Even small donations go a long way, as PPOT prides itself on our extreme fiscal responsibility. A donation equal to the price of an airport coffee can cover the annual critical infrastructure costs for five mentorship pairings. All donations are documented, and you will receive a receipt that can be utilized for tax purposes. All contributions made on our website are voluntary and because no goods or services are provided in return, the full amount donated is tax deductible. We hope you are as excited as we are for what lies ahead. We would not be where we are today without your involvement and commitment to our cause. As always, thank you for your continued support.
More information regarding PPOT’s 501(c)3 status and non-profit filings is available on request at [email protected]. Scan the QR code below to make a tax-deductible donation today to support our operation, future scholarships, and the hundreds of pilots who donate their time, efforts and resources to support the future of aviation.
Thank you and fly safe!
