My aviation career started when I was in the 8th grade. Until that point, I had not considered aviation as a career path despite what I now recognize as my growing interest in it. This was not a lack of desire but was rather borne out of the fact that I am the first professional pilot in the family and thus was never afforded any opportunity to consider aviation as a career to pursue in the first place.
What changed all that was a book about World War II aviation. The premise of the book is that of a German fighter pilot who refused to shoot down an ambushed American bomber plane that could not defend itself from any potential attack, instead deciding to escort it out of German airspace in the ultimate act of mercy. (It is a story I have found people are becoming increasingly aware of.)
The book dives into the training and lifestyle of both the Luftwaffe and the U.S. Army Air Forces (the predecessor to today’s U.S. Air Force), as well as the pilots’ opinions about the war and their lives following the war.
I was fascinated by the story and, more importantly, by learning about the lives and training of the crews on both sides. Suddenly, I found myself deep down the aviation rabbit hole, exploring not only the ways that aviation is used in the U.S. military but also its civilian applications. I had “caught the bug” all at once, and suddenly I realized that there was no other industry I wanted to be in.
Literature, if used correctly, has an incredible power to teach and inspire. I have read a number of books since that have furthered my interest in, knowledge of, and passion for flight. From memoirs to historical works, I continue to enjoy learning more about what I do through books.
Media in general has historically inspired quite a few aviators to launch their careers. Famously, the Top Gun movie franchise has been an excellent recruitment tool for the U.S. military, and particularly Naval aviation. The ways that aviation is depicted throughout various media goes a long way in how it represents the industry and the public’s perception of it.
Nowadays, much of my interaction with aviation literature is through magazines. The industry is lucky that there are a plethora of publications covering everything from broad industry updates, both on the commercial industry and in niche General Aviation areas, to help pilots stay proficient on any number of topics day-to-day. These can go a long way in helping pilots and enthusiasts keep up with the latest changes in the industry, regardless of their interests, their ability to fly (or interest in doing so), or their connection to the industry.
For years, I have had the honor of writing articles on behalf of several aviation-related publications. Getting to share my passion in such a manner, whether focused on the commercial airline industry or catering more to the General Aviation market, has proved to be an excellent way to give back. I have not only found the ability to share my perspectives, but writing has also proven an excellent way to start conversations with other pilots and receive feedback that helps me stay involved. I do find it fulfilling to give back to the industry in a way that planted the seed for the passion I have today.
Ultimately, I believe that the biggest benefit of aviation literature is its ability to reach people regardless of location or interest. There is a way for literature to reach everyone, no matter your role in the aviation industry, whether you’re an experienced professional pilot; you work in air traffic control or aviation maintenance; or you’re an enthusiast who enjoys planes spotting or flying for fun.
Beyond that, people who know little about aviation interact with the industry mostly through media such as news articles. It is difficult to overstate how much news articles and television clips impact the public perception of the industry. It is a great way to bring greater understanding of the industry to those who might not know much about it. It is even possible to use aviation literature to help people overcome fears of flying. This can be an incredible benefit to a significant portion of the flying public.
I look forward to continuing to play a role in sharing my passion for aviation through writing, video, and more. I hope to represent the industry well and build its image within the wider population.
