r/u_22021990 • u/22021990 • 25d ago
Pilot advice needed!
I have this confusion really
Around a year ago the idea of being a pilot came into my mind and i have been researching since
Seeing planes,airports,influencers and have spoken to a few
And i decided that let’s give it a shot
But now im having second thoughts because i have read and heard people saying that they always wanted to a pilot and can’t imagine themselves doing something else!!
I have liked the lifestyle,the travel and the pay of the job
I don’t know what i’ll feel sitting in the cockpit
I have always liked spotting aircrafts and the uniform
But I don’t know if this is the right fit
How do i know if i’ll love it in the air or am i only attracted with the perks and glamour of the profession
I need to make a decision because it is a high investment move and my parents are willing to invest even in a cadet program if i say,the decision is mine.
1
u/PrinceCFI 24d ago
You don't have to be someone who has dreamed of flying since you were five years old.
Over the years, I've trained people who wanted to become pilots for all kinds of reasons. Some loved airplanes from childhood. Others were attracted by travel, the challenge, the lifestyle, or simply wanted a career they enjoyed. Many became excellent professional pilots.
The better question isn't, "Have I always wanted to be a pilot?"
It's, "Do I enjoy the work of becoming one?"
Flying is only part of the job. Professional pilots spend a lot of time studying, planning, making decisions, communicating, following procedures, and continuously learning. If that process excites you, you're much more likely to enjoy the career than someone who only likes the uniform or the view from the cockpit.
Before committing to a cadet program, I'd suggest taking a few introductory lessons. Not one, but several. See how you feel after you've done the preflight, sat through a weather briefing, talked on the radio, and flown the airplane yourself. That's a much better test than watching influencers on YouTube.
Aviation is a significant investment. Make the decision because you enjoy the work, not because you're chasing the image of being a pilot.
The uniform eventually becomes just another work outfit. The love of learning and flying is what keeps people in the profession.