I am a boy/girl and I want to be a pilot in the future....what do I do?

For each of us, when we began to have ideas, dreams or since humanity first looked at the sky, flying has been a shared dream. For many, this longing becomes a lifelong passion from an early age. Children who dream of becoming pilots not only look at the sky in amazement, but also begin a journey full of challenges, learning, and personal growth. Here I detail you step by step what that trip would be like:

CHOOSE WHAT TYPE OF PILOT TO BE: MILITARY PILOT OR COMMERCIAL PILOT

Remember that a military pilot can be a commercial pilot (private, airline, cargo) but a commercial pilot cannot be a military pilot (fighter, fighter, transport). To be a military pilot you must enter an Air Force school in your country and complete your 5 years of educational training to be able to begin your training in the operational part and to be a commercial pilot you only have to enroll in an Academy or flight school, pay and comply with the flight hours that are required

GROUND SCHOOL

It all starts with a ground school, which is nothing more than learning everything you need to know before being able to get on the aircraft (physics, navigation, aerodynamics, etc.)

CHOOSE YOUR FINAL GOAL (COMMERCIAL, AIRLINE, PRIVATE PILOT)

This is very important, because it depends on the hours of flight you do and the certifications you obtain that will determine your FINAL TRAINING TITLE.

OPERATIONAL TRAINING OR AIR SCHOOL

Depending on the choice you have made (military or commercial), you will begin your operational training in a basic aircraft or system so that you learn the basics of flying (ignition, communications, taxiing, takeoff, traffic and landing).

OPERATIONAL CHECK

This phase is the most important and decisive because it is the one that separates "predators from prey", that is, kiwi pilots, (a funny way to classify a person who cannot fly) kiwis are small flightless birds.

It is said that everyone can be a pilot with only the amount of time necessary to control and master the plane, however if you are in the military career you only have 03 opportunities at the time your flight instructor performs the test: check, recheck and discard check, if you fail to pass any of these, you must keep in mind that you will never again be able to fly within your country's Air Force or be a pilot. If you are in the commercial part, simply when your instructor checks you and you do not "approve" it, you will have to do another hour of instruction flight, have money, pay, do another check and so on until you pass it comfortably. and safe

HOUR ACCUMULATION PHASE

You just have to start accumulating hours of instruction, flight, and experience, so that every time you get into the cabin of the plane, you master it on the ground or in flight and you can land 100% safely.

KEEP YOURSELF IN CONSTANT TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The most important thing for a pilot is to always be in "CONSTANT TRAINING". You must be studying, preparing, updating yourself in procedures, courses, simulators, doing real flight hours and increasing your log, remember the more flight hours, the more experience, the more experience, the more safety and control of the plane in flight.

JOIN AN AVIATION COMMUNITY

After reaching your goal and being a pilot, belonging to a community of pilots, an aeroclub where you can go to meet with other colleagues, being in forums that will allow you to always be up to date and never stop being aware of the latest details, remember that "PILOT WHO DOESN'T FLY, HIS WINGS FALL OFF"

DECIDE IF YOU WILL BE A PILOT AS A HOBBIE OR AS A PROFESSIONAL LIFE

We have always said it, being a pilot is a lifestyle, it is not a job like many others from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then home, it is a way of life that not many manage to adapt to but with correct training and By following the appropriate steps they can do it.

If it will be as a hobby, just enjoy it without pressure and try to always stay active, with your licenses up to date, if it will be as a professional, work career, you will have to apply another plan. You must put together a CV, have enough flight hours to apply as a first officer or co-pilot, master the English language, have up-to-date certifications and licenses, and begin the application process.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A PILOT?

This is the question with a thousand answers, we would like to have it exactly but it depends on many factors that we describe below:

Route and Certifications: depending on the flight license you are looking for, it will be the certification you need and some require more hours of flight and experience, that is, if you want to go further you will have to study more

1. Private Pilot License (PPL): This is the license that everyone must have if they want to fly any single-engine aircraft, it is the most basic one that allows you to fly for personal and recreational reasons. Requires a minimum of 40 flight hours. Including ground school and weather-related delays, most students earn their PPL in 3 to 6 months if they train part-time.

2. Commercial Pilot License (CPL): If you are considering being a professional, taking this as a career, as a lifestyle, a CPL is what you need. This license requires at least 250 flight hours. If pursued full time, this can be accomplished in a year or a little more. However, for those with other commitments, it can extend to a couple of years until you manage to accumulate the total hours

3. Airline Pilot License (ATP): When you aspire for this license, it is because you are eligible to fly on an airline, you have already come a long way and you know the costs and time associated. You must accumulate 1500 minimum flight hours and an investment of $100,000 to $150,000

HOW TO SHARE, INTEGRATE AND BALANCE YOUR FLIGHTS WITH YOUR TASKS OR DAILY LIFE

As an airline or commercial pilot, facing the task of balancing your work responsibilities with your daily life can be a considerable challenge. The job requires mindfulness, precision, and a considerable amount of time, which can leave little room for other important areas of life. Believe it or not, adapting is not easy but it is not impossible either. You must be able to find a balance where you know how to prioritize activities according to urgency or importance (Eisenhower matrix).

Remember that order and discipline are the most effective ways that will allow you to maintain a balance in time, space and meet your daily, weekly and monthly objectives, wherever you are.

A pilot must give great importance to his physical and mental health since sitting for more than 5 or 6 hours in the cockpit of an airplane, subjected to gravities, altitudes, different types of pressures, situations that affect his way of thinking, acting They require you to stay in shape, eat correctly, have mental health and do physical activities regularly to reduce stress.

Relationships and social life should always be open, never hide anything, be clear in the message, avoid toxic relationships and rely on digital tools to stay connected with family

Balancing your flights with your daily tasks and personal life as an airline pilot requires an intentional and conscious approach. Through effective planning, physical and mental health care, open communication with loved ones, continued personal development, and stress management, you can maintain a healthy and satisfying balance. Implementing these strategies will allow you not only to perform at your best in your profession but also to enjoy a full and enriching personal life.

THE PILOT WOMAN

Aviation has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but over the years, women have broken barriers and established themselves as prominent figures in this field.

Raymonde de Laroche, born Élise Léontine Deroche in 1882 in Paris, France, was the first woman to obtain a pilot's license. Her passion for aviation was ignited after meeting Charles Voisin, an aviation pioneer, who encouraged her to fly.

In World War II, three notable programs stood out in this context: the Women Air Force Pilots (WASP) in the United States, the Night Witches in the Soviet Union, and the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in the United Kingdom.

The impact of women in aviation during World War II laid the foundation for their increasing participation in the field of aviation in the decades that followed. The bravery and competence demonstrated by female pioneers and wartime aviators inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in aviation, both civilian and military.

Mary Barr, born in 1958 in the United States, was one of the first women to become a commercial pilot for American Airlines and in 1999, Eileen Collins became the first woman to command a NASA space shuttle, leading the STS mission. 93 Columbia.

The role of women in aviation has evolved significantly from the days of Raymonde de Laroche to the present day. Through their bravery, competence and determination, women have shown that they have a crucial place in the heavens. Women's participation in aviation during World War II was a turning point that paved the way for future generations.

Today, although challenges remain, women continue to make significant contributions in all aspects of aviation, from commercial pilots to astronauts and industry leaders. With the right support and a continued commitment to gender equality, the future for women in aviation is bright and full of possibilities.

By celebrating past achievements and working together to break down remaining barriers, we can ensure that aviation becomes a truly inclusive and equitable field, where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to achieve the heights of their dreams.