Pilots on the level

Adding that it is perpetuated by a series of misconceptions that can start close to home, with family and friends.

As someone who thought they had a pretty good take on the life and times of flightcrew, I must admit to learning a great deal from this exercise.

MISCONCEPTION 1: A PILOT’S JOB IS EASY

There is an assumption even from those close to pilots that their job is easy. “My partner doesn’t even think my job is hard,” was a surprising response.

For most pilots it is not just a job; it can’t be. The training is difficult and they work really hard at it. Those not dedicated and committed will be sifted out early on in training.

They also have a lot of responsibility often compounded by a ‘perfectionist’ personality trait. Perfect equals safe and safety never leaves their minds. A pilot’s role is closely related to that of a doctor; while pilots have standard operating procedures (SOP’s), doctors have protocols. They are both in charge of people’s lives and required to be up-to-date with industry, procedural, technical and soft skills training or, in current language, ‘EQ’ (emotional intelligence quotient).

Pilots also face re-testing every three to six months in a simulator — fail that and your career is at a halt.

No, no pressure at all.

MISCONCEPTION 2: PILOTS HAVE BIG EGOS

A fairly stereotypical depiction of this profession in the world of media is that of the fast jet pilot (think military F/A-18 Super Hornet or F-35). The recent Avalon Airshow harnessed that thinking, enticing guests with airborne displays of speed, aerobatics and daring — and why not? It is exhilarating stuff. You’ve got to have a huge ego to do that… right? Wrong. What you actually need is a cultivated, mature and confident ego, quite a different proposition to that of an over-inflated one. So what perpetuates this idea of the big ego? Physical separation.

Pilots are now strapped in and locked up behind the cockpit door.

Passengers have zero access to the flightdeck. All they hear from behind the door is, “This is your Captain speaking… thank you for flying with us. ” In reality, most pilots really care about you, the industry and the aircraft, but do not get much opportunity to tell you that.

Passengers and pilots alike feel this disconnect. Pilots tell me they generally fall into two main categories: ‘Avgeeks’ — who love all aspects of the job — or ‘Tech Heads’ who are all about the aircraft technology.

Irrespective of which category they fall within, they relish the opportunity to share their passion with you. So yes, you can ask to visit the cockpit once you land. The answer will most often be a resounding Yes. To demystify all things aviation an easy fun read is Brett Manders’ Behind The Flight Deck Door.

MISCONCEPTION 3: A PILOT’S JOB IS SUPER EXCITING

I spoke with a pilot recently who was offered a lift by the AFP on a rainy day (The Australian Federal Police whose job it is to secure airports). Even they thought her job was more exciting than theirs. She was surprised by their reaction.

I’ll tell you why. If you have been in the world of aviation long enough you will have heard the phrase, “RPT Pilots are Bus Drivers,” and not in a derogatory way. RPT being ‘regular public transport’. Just like bus drivers, pilots often repeat the same sectors (destinations) day in and day out.

While they train for catastrophic events, those are thankfully infrequent. Several pilots reiterated that they love hearing about jobs outside the closeted world of aviation.

MISCONCEPTION 4: PILOTS ARE ALWAYS GOING ON HOLIDAY

Every time an aircraft takes to the skies it could be heading to somewhere exotic. True. However for pilots, not much except the destination resembles a glamorous holiday. Most nights they eat out by themselves, maybe workout in the hotel gym to help shut down, and end by attempting a good night’s sleep in a bed that isn’t theirs. On a more serious note, if anything goes wrong at home, they might be thousands of miles away. There is up-side I’m told: the time away allows uninterrupted focus on ideas and projects; time for that ever-present study and even the opportunity to binge watch a favourite Netflix series.

Pilots wouldn’t do anything else.

It seems to get under their skin and into their veins. Flying is the elixir of their lives. While we mere mortals may never understand aerodynamics, a glass cockpit, or the difference between a Boeing and an Airbus, my feeling is that pilots are continually curious about life, about you, and about careers outside the closeted world of aviation. Now that the flightdeck door is closed perhaps we need to make more of an effort to get to know these passionate aviators who take our lives in their hands every time an aircraft climbs into the clouds.

‘For most pilots it is not just a job; it can’t be. ’