Preflight

Advice for aspiring career pilots

What's the secret to staying engaged in aviation, and moving forward in your flight training, when all the economic news around you is doom and gloom? Especially if you aspire to a flying career--is there any good news out there in the airline world?

James Bystrom started flying at age 17, while he was in high school, and then he worked cleaning airplanes for American Airlines. Eventually, he attended Gulfstream Training Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "I went through the program and earned the opportunity to become a first officer," he said. "Nine months later I earned the opportunity to become a captain." After 10 years flying for Gulfstream International Airlines, a Continental Express carrier that operates 200 flights a day--including a stint as the airline's chief pilot--Bystrom was recently named director of the airline training academy.

While he attended junior college, Art Wanzo worked in line service. After graduation he hired on with Comair and held a variety of operational leadership positions; today he's a pilot recruiter for the company.

Karen Kahn, a Boeing 757/767 captain who's flown for a major airline since 1977 and an AOPA Flight Training contributor (see "Career Tips: Job Opportunities for Older Pilots,"), started flying in California. "I worked my way up and ended up instructing," said Kahn, explaining that she started an accelerated pilot training business and bought her own airplane to help build experience for the flying career she wanted.

Darryl deBoisblanc is an admissions officer for Delta Connection Academy in Sanford, Florida--and a commercial pilot with an instrument rating.

What are some important characteristics for an aspiring professional pilot to have?

Employees must meet the current minimum flight experience requirements, Wanzo explained. "Past that, we're looking for a person who's going to be a good team member, a good leader."

Be honest and sincere in the interview, Kahn noted. "They'd really like to fly a three-day trip with you, but they can't. They don't interview people who aren't qualified--you need to show them that you're better in person than you are on paper," she said. "A lot of times, it's your ability in a very short time to show you're what they really want."

Wanzo agreed. "When [pilots] come into the interview, they have the job--it's theirs to lose," he said. Wanzo wants to hire an honest, well-rounded individual. "How will they represent my airline? Will they be the right fit for my airline? I can't hire everybody."

Networking is important, Kahn observed. "Sometimes it's not who you know but who knows you," she said.

Applicants who are endorsed by current airline employees may have an edge, Bystrom agreed. "If you know somebody [in the airline] who's speaking highly of you, it will get my attention."

"If a captain walks in a r�sum�, it certainly gets that person attention," Wanzo added. "But when it really gets down to selection time, you still have to be a good fit for the airline."

Background as a flight instructor can be especially valuable, deBoisblanc explained. "Whenever you teach a subject, you have to have an elevated understanding of that subject matter to teach it effectively."

What tips do these pros offer?

Remember that you'll spend a lot of time in the cockpit talking with another pilot in an airline job, Kahn said. "You really love flying with the ones who are passionate, and who have lots of interest."

"This industry has plenty of cycles," Wanzo said. "Prepare yourself for that. You may encounter upgrades, downgrades, or furloughs."

"Don't lose sight of the dream," Bystrom advised. "There are different ways to get what you want." Visit all the different schools so you'll find the one that's right for you, he suggested, and seek scholarships from all available sources.

It's been said that if flying were easy, everyone would be a pilot--but as you've noticed, that's not the case. And as Phillips notes in this issue (see "Career Pilot: Where's the Puck?"), this may be the perfect time to position yourself for a pilot job. Persistence, passion, and a strong focus can make the difference, even when things look down. Don't lose sight of your dream.

E-mail Mike Collins, editor of AOPA Flight Training.