Who Are Light Aircraft Pilots ? Help Breaking The Myth
Many potential pilots never do start flying, because they perceive light aviation as something expensive and reserved to an elite. The number of active pilots has never been so low, and to help improve that situation, one must break this “aviation-is-for-an-elite” myth.
Look at me. I’m basically a software engineer. Yes, there are some lawyers, bankers, doctors, insurance brokers multi-national companies CEOs which are also pilots – and flying is also a good way to meet various people – but there is a strong percentage of “normal job” persons !
Here is a short list of what persons I met through flying do professionally: mathematics teacher, IT system administrator in a lab, accountant, public relation in an energy company, project manager in IT networks, development manager by UEFA (european football association), TV reporter, policeman,
Then come all those who’s job relates to aviation: airline or business jet pilots, aircraft mechanics, dispatchers, ground staff, air traffic controllers, flight instructors… There are also many students who pay for their flying with side-jobs (and help from their parents…). This is a good time in life to learn, as student’s mindset is already oriented towards learning and developing skills.
Private pilots don’t all fly a lot, nor do they fly expensive high performance aircrafts. Hangars are full of moderate cost planes waiting for pilots ! So to help motivating them, please leave a comment here indicating what kind of job you do to pay for your flying ! Let’s show pilots to be that we’re normal guys !
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
jb
Hi Plastic,
I’m also a software engineer… ¿Don’t you think that IT minded people tend to like aviation, as much as pilots tend to like computers?
Best regards!
jb
Aug 28th, 2008
Julien
Software engineer / project manager here too. Computer nerds, aviation nerds, all just one big family really
The thing with flying and money is that the PPL training requires to have a fair amount of money set aside so that the training does not stretch over too many years, which itself contributes to making training expensive.
This may well be the hardest initial hurdle to overcome for many aspiring private pilots.
Once the PPL is done, you’re a lot more in control of your budget obviously. You can fly as little or as much as you want. You can take passengers and share costs. You can give joyflights as a fundraiser for your aero club. With enough hours you can do angel flights and get some of your costs back as a charity donation (in the US at least).
And of course if you can’t fly too much you can always blog about it
Julien.
Aug 28th, 2008
pat
I’m a software engineer too
Aug 28th, 2008
Jess Sightler
What do you mean its not reserved for the elite? I thought we were all software engineers?
FWIW, I believe Christopher Blizzard (of Mozilla and OLPC fame) is also a pilot, among quite a few others. I think there really are quite a few of us geeky types involved in aviation.
Aug 29th, 2008
jb
Oh, that’s must be the reason why new planes with glass cockpits are loaded of computers… shouldn’t they also put some coffee machine in there?
Aug 29th, 2008
PlasticPilot
JB, my aero-medical examiner would be against the coffee machine. High-blood pressure…
Aug 29th, 2008
frd
I am a retired clergyman. Actually semi-retired. I serve a small rural church in Florida. That cash flow pays for flight lessons. I drive a six year old Accord. That also helps. Petrol is cheaper here. My instructor is a Norwegian lad half my age building hours to go back to Norway and fly airlines. That’s how he pays for his hours, enduring the terror I must certainly put him through. If not now, when? “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth”
Sep 6th, 2008
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