If you are looking for an answer for this question, chances are you have a passion for flying and you’re considering pursuing a career as a pilot. But before you take the plunge and enroll in a flight school, you may want to ask yourself: is being a pilot right for me?
Becoming a pilot is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires a lot of dedication, passion, hard work, and investment. It also comes with many rewards, challenges, and responsibilities. It’s not a job for everyone, but it can be a dream come true for those who love it.
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some self-assessment tools and questions that can help you determine if being a pilot is right for you. I hope you find them useful and insightful.
1. Assess your skills
The first step in self-assessment is to evaluate your skills and abilities. Being a pilot requires a certain set of skills that are essential for the job. Some of these skills are:
- Reading: You need to be able to read and understand various documents, such as manuals, charts, maps, weather reports, and regulations.
- Writing: You need to be able to write clear and concise reports, logs, and messages.
- Numeracy: You need to be able to perform calculations, such as speed, distance, time, fuel consumption, weight and balance, and navigation.
- Communication: You need to be able to communicate effectively with other pilots, air traffic controllers, passengers, and crew members.
- Digital: You need to be able to use various technologies, such as computers, tablets, GPS, radios, and instruments.
- Collaboration: You need to be able to work well with others, such as co-pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and ground staff.
- Problem-solving: You need to be able to analyze situations, identify problems, and find solutions quickly and efficiently.
- Adaptability: You need to be able to cope with changing conditions, such as weather, traffic, delays, emergencies, and customer needs.
- Creativity/Innovation: You need to be able to think outside the box and find new ways to improve your performance and service.
To assess your skills in these areas, you can use various tools that are available online or in-person. For example:
- Employability Skills Assessment Tool (ESAT): This is an online tool for assessing and developing social and emotional skills. The skills assessed include creativity, adaptability, collaboration and communication. Read more about it here Cost: Yes
- Computer Comfort: This is a program that provides a starting point for adults with disabilities who want to develop basic computer skills. It offers one-on-one computer tutoring at no cost. In person or online. Read more about it here
2. Assess your personality
The second step in self-assessment is to evaluate your personality and preferences. Being a pilot requires a certain type of personality that is compatible with the job. Some of these personality traits are:
- Passionate: You need to have a genuine love for flying and aviation.
- Curious: You need to have an interest in learning new things and expanding your knowledge.
- Confident: You need to have faith in your abilities and decisions.
- Responsible: You need to have a sense of duty and accountability for your actions and outcomes.
- Professional: You need to have a high standard of ethics and conduct.
- Resilient: You need to have the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.
- Flexible: You need to have the willingness to adapt to different situations and demands.
To assess your personality in these areas, you can use various tools that are available online or in-person. For example:
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): This is one of the most popular personality tests that measures how people perceive the world and make decisions. It assigns one of 16 personality types based on four dimensions: extraversion/introversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, judging/perceiving. Cost: Yes
- Holland Code (RIASEC): This is another popular personality test that measures how people fit into six occupational themes: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional. It helps people identify their interests and career options. Cost: No
- DISC: This is a personality test that measures how people behave and communicate in different situations. It assigns one of four personality styles based on two dimensions: dominance/influence and steadiness/conscientiousness. Cost: Yes
3. Assess your goals
The third step in self-assessment is to evaluate your goals and aspirations. Being a pilot requires a certain level of commitment and dedication that aligns with your goals. Some of these goals are:
- Career: You need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve as a pilot, such as the type of aircraft, the type of operation, the type of employer, the type of destination, and the type of advancement.
- Lifestyle: You need to have a realistic expectation of what it means to be a pilot, such as the working hours, the travel frequency, the time away from home, the physical and mental demands, and the income and benefits.
- Education: You need to have a plan for how you will obtain the required qualifications and licenses to become a pilot, such as the cost, the duration, the location, and the quality of the training.
- Development: You need to have a strategy for how you will maintain and improve your skills and knowledge as a pilot, such as the frequency, the method, and the source of the learning.
To assess your goals in these areas, you can use various tools that are available online or in-person. For example:
- SMART Goals: This is a framework that helps you set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. It helps you clarify your objectives and track your progress.
- SWOT Analysis: This is a tool that helps you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It helps you analyze your current situation and plan for your future actions.
- Career Exploration: This is a process that helps you explore different career options and find out what they entail. It helps you discover your interests, values, skills, and personality fit with various occupations.
4. Try an introductory flight
One of the best ways to find out if being a pilot is right for you is to try an introductory or a discovery flight. An introductory flight is a short flight lesson that gives you a taste of what it’s like to fly an airplane. You’ll go up in a small plane with a qualified flight instructor who will walk you through some basics. You’ll get to wear a headset and use the controls. You’ll also get to enjoy the amazing views from above.
An introductory flight can help you decide if flying is something you enjoy and want to pursue further. It can also help you overcome any fears or doubts you may have about flying. It can also be a lot of fun!
To book an introductory flight, you can contact a flight school near you and ask about their rates and availability. You can also find more information on the Getting Started page of Pilot Career Center.
5. Study a flight school subject
Another way to find out if being a pilot is right for you is to study a flight school subject. A flight school subject is any topic that is related to flying or aviation. For example:
- Aerodynamics: This is the study of how air flows around objects and how it affects their movement.
- Meteorology: This is the study of weather phenomena and how they affect flying conditions.
- Navigation: This is the study of how to plan and follow a route from one point to another using various methods and tools.
- Regulations: This is the study of rules and laws that govern aviation activities and operations.
- Human Factors: This is the study of how human behavior and performance affect aviation safety and efficiency.
Studying a flight school subject can help in understanding if these subject interest you in the first place in addition to providing some knowledge and skills that are useful for becoming a pilot. It can also help you develop an interest in flying or aviation. It can also challenge your mind and expand your horizons.
To study a flight school subject, you can enroll in an online course or program that covers one or more topics related to flying or aviation.
In this blog post, I’ve tried to share with you some self-assessment tools and questions that can help you determine if being a pilot is right for you. If you’re still unsure about whether being a pilot is right for you, I suggest you talk to some pilots who are already working in the field. They can give you some firsthand insights and guide you in proper path.
If this has helped you and want to know more, you read this article I wrote about how to become a pilot to get a basic understanding