Many people have dreams of becoming a pilot. But becoming a pilot requires a lot of work, which includes looking for promising aviation schools in the Philippines, undergoing the necessary training, and getting a pilot’s license.
The road to becoming a full-fledged pilot, however, is a long one and, you might find yourself discouraged and question yourself on whether you have what it takes to keep going. One thing that can help though is by grounding yourself with the things that motivate you in pursuing this particular career. You can do this with a bit of self-reflection and find out why you wanted to become a pilot in the first place.
Below are five signs that can help you determine if you’re meant to be a pilot.
You Love to Fly
This sign might be a no-brainer, but loving and enjoying flying can help you get through difficult times in chasing your dream. Training and studying to be a pilot can be tough, especially when you don’t meet the expectations of your instructors or when you can’t seem to do well on your exams despite how hard you study. Going through these situations might make you want to give up. But if you have a passion for flying, you can rely on that emotion, so you don’t give in to the urge to throw away your dreams.
This passion will also be useful once you become a pilot because you will continue to face difficulties as an employee and a pilot, like colleagues you don’t agree with or stressful emergencies while on the job. In times like these, remembering your reason for being a pilot and your love of flying can help you get back in the cockpit and focus on the better days of flying.
You Understand the Importance of Being Both a Leader and a Follower
Becoming a pilot means that you’ll be working closely with others, whether it’s with your co-pilot, your fellow crewmates, or with air traffic control. This is why you need to be a team player if you want to succeed as a pilot. What’s more, you’ll be expected to play different roles depending on your current designation as part of the team. There will be times when you’ll serve as the pilot in command, while there will also be times when you’ll need to support your captain as the first officer. Regardless of the role you’ll be playing, working well with others is an essential skill that every pilot needs to learn throughout their career.
You’re Clever and Resourceful
You are clever and resourceful if you have good problem-solving skills, can think outside the box, and can persevere in finding your way out of a difficult situation. If you have this trait, you’re usually able to come up with solutions for problems at work or in school, whether these problems are unexpected or not. Your cleverness and resourcefulness can help you quickly come up with solutions if an engine breaks down or the weather suddenly turns bad.
You’re Alert and Analytical
A person who is alert and analytical can expect outcomes and make decisions based on facts and what they perceive. They don’t rely on emotion or gut feeling, which can be seen as fallible. This trait is important to a pilot because their reliance on what they know can help them understand how certain factors can affect their flight. It can also help them make quick but safe decisions whenever they fly because they can logically predict the outcome of whatever situation they’re in.
You’re Good with Machines
If you have what it takes to play with machinery, break it down, and put it together again, then you can definitely be a pilot. This trait will help you understand flight mechanics, systems, and software, which can aid you while you’re learning to become a pilot. If you’re the type who likes to fix your car and tinker with car parts, then this type of affinity can easily be applied when working with planes as well.
You’re Adaptable
Being able to adapt to any situation is a valuable trait in a pilot. Your adaptability means that you‘re quick to improvise, and you’re able to act according to your changing environment.
Once you become a pilot, you’ll be faced with different people whose opinions and personalities that might not line up with your own. You’ll also be flying planes in difficult weather and work long hours. Being able to accept the situation and adjust your behavior can help you overcome trials like these.
The road to becoming a pilot can be filled with struggles and trials. But knowing you already have what it takes can reassure you that you’re on the right path. By taking note of these five signs, you can be confident that you’ll be a pilot one day.