9 Tips to Help You Become a Successful Commercial Pilot

Congratulations! Your efforts have materialized, and you’re all set to become a commercial pilot! However, becoming a successful pilot is a lot more than just attending the flight training, classes, and passing the flight practical tests.

It requires the right mix of attitude and skills to be recognized as a good and safe pilot. You are also expected to be physically and mentally healthy and constantly test reality.

So, if you want to know how you can achieve success in your aviation career, keep reading for some helpful tips:

1. Leverage Your Unique Talents

There will be numerous candidates who would be just as qualified as you are for the position you apply. This means standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. If you have abilities that show your usefulness even outside the cockpit, don’t be afraid to highlight them. Entering a role in recruitment, safety department or even the business side of the air carrier will add more value to your profile.

2. Don’t Burn Bridges

Aviation is a small community and you will run into mutual connections right from the first day you walk into flight school! So, make a conscious effort to rise above the pilot lounge talk and keep in mind that anything you say about your coworkers or crewmembers will get around. While not everyone has to like you, it’s preferable to not give them an opportunity to dislike you.

3. Treat Every Checkride Like Your First

Every pilot remembers the extensive amount of preparation they do before their first checkride. It’s important to remember that motivation for every subsequent checkride. This will keep you on your toes and help you avoid complacency.

You should run your essential memory checklist once all checks are complete. For most GA airplanes, a checklist like “fuel, fire, and flight controls” is an excellent way to get the job done. These simple checklists are extremely helpful, especially for pilots who switch between various airplanes of different complexity.

4. Keep Your Options Open

Every pilot should have a dream job in mind and work towards it. At the same time, don’t let that limit you. You may find many different opportunities coming your way on your career path. So, keep an open mind for some unexpected options.

5. Treat Everyone with Respect

While treating others with respect is something that should go without saying, when different people come together, disagreements are bound to arise. Not all personalities mesh well but treating your crew and staff with respect is extremely important. You don’t want one disagreement to be the reason why a separate group of people judges you.

6. Never Stop Networking

Networking starts from day one – your instructors, fellow students, professors – and should never stop. For example, if you know a pilot who has your dream job, you can buy them lunch and gain insights on how to reach there too. Make an effort to stay in touch with people who you consider to be an influence in your life and career.

7. Seek Feedback and Learn

Whether you’re a student pilot or an airline captain, feedback is always helpful. At the end of a flight, ask for honest and constructive feedback. At the same time, don’t take the criticism personally and instead use it to improve and avoid making the same mistakes again.

8. Get Recurrent Flight Training

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. To become a successful pilot, you need training, and recurrent training, even after completing over 50,000 hours. To grow as a pilot and increase your confidence in your skills in taking flight, this is an absolute must.

9. Understand the Airplane’s Aerodynamics

Every pilot has a basic knowledge of what makes an airplane fly. However, not everyone spends the time to truly understand the aerodynamic factors involved. While it’s not necessary to become an aero engineer, learning the nuances that make flight possible will put you more in touch with the machine.

So, are you ready to kickstart your aviation career in motion? I hope these tips will come in handy and help you become a successful pilot.

About the author:
Captain Sameer Dogra is a commercial airline pilot from India with nearly 24 years of flying experience. His career in the aviation industry has seen him play various roles such as Check Pilot, Instructor, and Examiner. With his extensive knowledge and flying experience, he aims to provide relevant information and insightful tips to anyone aspiring to pursue a career as an airline pilot.