In order to be a successful pilot, several personal attributes and abilities are required of the aviation trainee. Other than the prerequisite academic qualifications, pilots are chosen based on their unique pilot persona. My personal traits, abilities and passion make me well suited for a career as a pilot . The first ability that draws me to aviation is my great eyesight. It is an essential requirement that every pilot needs to have good vision in order to operate a plane. Anything less than normal vision is not allowed of any practicing pilot. Good eyesight is important in that the pilot can correctly perceive their environment in order to make the right decisions when navigating the plane. Pilots are also required to make regular readings on instruments and therefore having good vision is necessary in carrying out this task. Having proper eyesight is necessary for the avoidance of accidents that could be caused by errors in visual perception. Therefore, my excellent eyesight puts me on the path to becoming a pilot.
Pilots are required to have exceptional communications skills because their work involves frequent interaction with other people involved in airline operations. My outstanding communication skills will be a great advantage in my quest to become a pilot . Pilots are required to communicate with the fellow pilots, air attendants, flight engineers, and passengers during the duration of the flight. My regular interactions with other people have manifested that my oral skills are remarkable in every sense. I can express my opinions in ways that are comprehensible to all people that I interact with . Being a good listener I am also able to understand what the people conversing with me are trying to explain. Another communication ability that I possess is the ability to read the visual cues being exhibited by other people especially when they do not communicate orally. The most common language used worldwide is English. The various language tests I have carried out demonstrate that my grasp of the English language is terrific. The ability to understand other languages quickly is a capability that I learned over time and which I know is beneficial when practicing as an international pilot .
The ability to work flawlessly with other people is a crucial attribute needed of every pilot. Navigating an aircraft from departure to arrival is a task that requires several people working together in tandem to achieve. The pilot has to correlate well with other people involved in the whole operation. Through the various tasks I have undertaken with fellow students or with other people in other fields, I believe that my interpersonal skills are above average. My passion for working within a team is a fundamental personal attribute that suits me to working in the aviation industry. My excellent communication skills come in handy when working with other people that make the exchange of ideas and information seamless. When a pilot works in a group, they should be confident enough to share their knowledge and humble enough to learn from others. Moreover, my talents and skills are best exhibited when working in a team to achieve a shared objective .
Pilots are expected to be disciplined, have self-control and good at the decision-making process. I possess discipline, self-control and decisiveness in great measure. Discipline is required of every pilot as they are required to follow set routines and follow an established code of conduct. Discipline also guides a pilot in their goal to achieve physical and mental health. Control is also necessary in order to eliminate human error during work. The pilot is also expected to be a person of moral virtue and an example to other members of the crew. Pilots are required to have self-control to enable them reach a state of mental actualization. Over-indulgence in health deteriorating activities is frowned upon in the aviation industry, and therefore restraint should be practiced by the pilot. Self-evaluation after every task is crucial for every pilot to help them improve and to perfect their expertise. A good pilot has to be a decisive individual due to the high risk of the work involved. The pilot is required to make crucial decisions especially in times of crisis or during harsh flying conditions in order to safeguard the lives of all onboard. Therefore, my high levels of discipline, self-restraint and decisiveness are pluses in aviation career ambition .
A career as a pilot is challenging and heavily dependent on hard work. A pilot is required to have high concentration because of the long hours of flight needed in most instances. Airlines employ pilots who excel intellectually due to the demands of the job and the high levels of knowledge required to navigate planes. It is obligatory that pilots excel in sciences and math because aviation is a highly technical and scientific job. Pilots are necessitated to maintain high levels of physical and mental acuity. Pilots who are not in their optimum health condition or mental state are not allowed to control aircrafts due to the risk of causing errors during work that could end up being costly to the airline. Pilots are basically well remunerated due the nature of their work. The more experience a pilot amasses, the more they are paid due to the level of skill and experience accrued. Pilots undergo arduous training before they can be allowed to operate aircraft. The training is necessary because airlines require highly qualified personnel to fly their planes .
In order to qualify to undertake aviation, one has to attain at least a grade level of (10+2) in high school. Another important qualification necessary to undertake piloting is computer literacy. Computer skills are necessary because current airplane models are highly automated, and information technology knowledge is necessary in carrying out various piloting activities. In order to gain admission into a flight school, one has to show exceptional knowledge in sciences. Aviation is an area grounded on math and other sciences therefore; a pilot has to display extensive knowledge in these fields. After joining Middle Tennessee State University, the aspiring pilot has to complete a course in a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Aviation. The first certification that any pilot can accrue is a Private Pilot License. The pilot begins to work for this license by enrolling as a student pilot. Enrolling as a student in a flight school introduces the aspiring pilot to the aviation world .
The training is mostly to help the student understand the basic operations of an aircraft. The student is educated on how the plane gains lift, how it is navigated and what type of engine runs the plane . The training usually begins with small aircrafts but progresses to larger planes as experience accumulates. With more skill, the complexity and size of the plane that the student can pilot is increased. Flight instructors teach the student on how to take off and land aircrafts. When the flight instructor feels that the student is sufficiently equipped with piloting skill, they allow them to have a solo flight. Students are expected to clock 20 hours flying solo and 20 more hours with an instructor. Finally, the student undertakes a flight and oral exam provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Once the student passes the exam, they are awarded a Private Pilot License.
The next step is Instrument Rating training. Instrument Rating is a challenging certification. The rating enables pilots to fly planes in poor conditions. Pilots are taught to fly planes using the readings of their instruments without referring to external conditions. The training pilot is required to achieve 40 hours of instrument time . The Instrument Rating training concludes with a flight and written test. Finally, the pilot undergoes training to receive a Commercial Pilot License . The commercial license is an advanced private license that allows the pilot to fly commercial planes and get paid for their work. During this training, pilots learn advanced navigation maneuvers and extensive knowledge of the operations of the airplane. To receive a commercial license, the pilot must clock a total of 250 flight hours and pass a flight exam. A Multi-Engine Pilot License allows pilots to fly airplanes with more than one engine. Moreover, pilots have to achieve 1500 hours to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot certification .
Conclusion
Working as a pilot is a demanding career path. The most attractive aspects of a piloting career are the high wages, benefits and the opportunity to explore the world. Very high academic levels and technical comprehension are required of every pilot. The aspiring pilot must display determination and diligence in their quest to operate aircraft. A pilot is also required to be at the peak of their physical and mental health. I am suited to pursue a career in aviation because of my good eyesight, excellent communication skills, teamwork skills, decisiveness and discipline. Every pilot needs a backbone in the math and science sectors. High grades are required of one in high school in order to be admitted to flight school. The competitiveness of the aviation industry requires strong motivation from the aspiring pilot. In flight school, a pilot progresses for a Private Pilot License to Instrument Rating to a Commercial Pilot License, a Multi-Engine License and finally an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
References
Echaore-McDavid, S. (2009). Career Opportunities in Aviation and the Aerospace Industry. Infobase Publishing.
Eichenberger, J. A. (2003). Your Pilot's License. McGraw Hill.
FAA. (2013, March 19). Become a Pilot. Retrieved 2015, from Federal Aviation Administration: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/
Malmquist, S. (2015). Becoming an Airline Pilot. Retrieved 2015, from JetCareers.com: http://www.jetcareers.com/becoming-an-airline-pilot.html
SSC. (2013, July). Attributes of a good pilot. Retrieved April 2015, from Special Services Corporation: http://flightservicemanagement.com/2013/07/attributes-of-a-good-pilot/
