As any industry professional knows, the aviation world is a cyclical one: demand comes and goes, pilots change companies, senior airmen retire or leave the industry. Equally, there is a steady stream of new, enthusiastic student pilots constantly entering the industry with hopes to share a piece of the skies. Some want a leisurely trip through the air on a sunny day; some fly for personal business; and many choose to try their hand at making a career in aviation.
I have had the privilege of spending five years in the aviation industry, both as a student and as a professional. I take the occasional personal trip to a fun airport or to see friends, and I have had plenty of opportunity to share my love of flying with others.
Often, I hear from friends and colleagues asking me to meet with a budding new student pilot about flight training—to answer questions about training, to help find a flight school, or to help with mapping out a career in aviation. Though I may only meet with many of these mentees once or twice, I have also had the honor of establishing long-term relationships with some and staying in semi-regular contact.
I know it’s cheesy to say, but there really are times that I have a lot to learn from mentoring young pilots. Each occasion to meet with someone new, no matter their experience level, is an opportunity to see the aviation industry through a new pair of eyes: a new line of questioning, a new situation, a new interaction that can challenge how I see and consider the state of the industry and how I give advice.
The same can be said about teaching—how flight instructors learn a lot about flying by teaching. My thought follows the same vein. By interacting with a new individual with a unique situation and a unique reaction to the advice I give, I get to reconsider how and why I give the advice I do. Applying familiar advice to a new situation has an equally remarkable impact, as it challenges me to apply new conditions and see the same topics in a new light; all things that help me grow.
One particular piece of advice that I often give is the importance of networking and making connections. Indeed, these connections have given me many opportunities that I might not have otherwise had. Yet, I’m not always a perfect connection-maker. I’ve fumbled the bag before, and I have often let work obligations overshadow the invaluable practice of not only meeting people but growing my connections with them.
Recently, offering this advice has given me the opportunity to consider how I can build new connections for myself. Purely by giving others advice, I have reminded and motivated myself to get the wheels turning on new situations, meetings, and environments to help me grow my career beyond just amassing flight time.
Ultimately, being a mentor to younger, greener pilots is a unique challenge I find too few experienced pilots take on. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge in our industry waiting to be revealed, and I hope more pilots take the call to encourage young students. I have benefited greatly being on both sides of the equation, so to speak, which continues to help me to this day.
The responsibility of flying puts many demands on pilots: the demands to stay proficient, be professional, and handle our duties with respect and focus. Yet there are many calls hiding just behind the wing that can be more difficult to notice or more challenging to heed. Beyond simply flying, and doing it well, I believe pilots are equally called to create and uphold, to the best of their abilities, a culture that welcomes and inspires curiosity, connection, and mutual growth. Getting to know others and influencing them to be safe and proficient airmen, is a unique blessing often overlooked. I am first to admit that I have not always heeded that call as well as I could have, but I continue to strive to be welcoming of and encouraging to those looking for guidance.
Though it is a great honor, flying is a great responsibility—one that I am fortunate enough to bear every time I step into the airport. And I look forward to continuing to have the opportunity to guide new airmen into the ranks of pilots and to help them enjoy long, safe, happy careers.
