John McDermott
John McDermott’s passion for aviation began in a Michigan bookstore when he found a story about a chance encounter between enemy pilots during World War II. Soon, after watching countless hours of fighter jets and traffic from his home near O’Hare International Airport, he was hooked forever. These days, John is a student pilot from Chicago pursuing a career in professional aviation. He works with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow’s Digital Media Team and has experience as an airline ramper and customer service agent. Though he is also pursuing a Religious Studies degree at Northwestern University, he does not plan to become a missionary pilot. Instead, he dreams of far-off destinations with warm beaches and fun adventures. With years of experience writing and editing for aviation news websites, John is ready to take the next step towards pursuing his life-long career goal of becoming flight crew.
Non-Instructing Career Options
Many new commercial pilots choose to pursue instructing in order to build flight time and experience to become viable job candidates. However, for those...
Your Best Long-Term Career Path
Comparing Parts 121, 135, and 91 operations
As career pilots begin their training, one major question is, what the best, ultimate career path might be....
To Expedite or Not to Expedite
How quickly should we move through flight training?
Many student pilots are blessed with the opportunity to dictate the pace of their flight training without...
Considerations for Flowing into Your Dream Job
The pilot shortage continues to put pressure on airlines, flight schools, and other companies as they look for qualified pilots to fill positions left...
What’s the Best Airline Cadet Program for You?
New pilots who are committed to flying for major U.S. airlines will likely be drawn to airlines’ cadet programs. These programs are commonly found...
Balancing and assessing the choices of airfields for your training
Oftentimes, the discussions regarding where to learn to fly have to do with which flight school to choose. How do you ensure that the...
What to Consider When Buying a Plane 
So, you’ve caught the general aviation bug and are considering buying your own aircraft. Before you bite the bullet, here are some factors to...
Picking Your First Pilot Job
Perhaps the most exciting and daunting task of a young pilot’s life is picking their first job as a new commercial pilot. Regardless of...
Picking Your Best Flight Instructor
Among the most important resources for any student pilot is their flight instructor. Especially for brand new students, picking the right instructor can be...
Flight Training Costs – Factors to Consider 
What is the best way to spot a good deal on flight training? Flight schools will often attract students by posting prices that look...
