Success comes in all sorts of packages in aviation. From small ones like clearing your exams, to big ones like getting a job. The biggest success as an airline pilot has to be the day we move from the right seat to the left one.
My journey started in 1992 from a small village in Haryana, India. Born to a lower middle class family, my parents in their initial days spent struggling to make ends meet. Things became better eventually in the 2000's as life started to pick up.
My parents wanted me to clear IIT and join the Indian civil services. However, I always wanted to play football professionally. But like almost every Indian child, my dreams were crushed by society as football was not a "stable" profession. I dropped an year after 12th class and continued studying for engineering entrance exams. Eventually, I gained the courage to tell my parents that flying was what I wanted to do, since I was too late to play football at a professional level.
Having grown up amongst a lot of pilots, it was an easy decision to make, for me.
On 17th March 2011, I told my parents that engineering was not what I wanted to do in life, and luckily, my parents agreed, after some convincing.
The journey started thus, with me joining Chimes Aviation on 19th April 2011. I finished my CPL on 31st March 2012, clearing all my exams in the first attempt. After my type rating in 2012, I joined Jet Airways as a First officer on 8th April 2013, flying the B737, topping the selection process.
Thus began my journey of flying commercial airplanes, and the love story has continued since, and everyday has been a pleasure. I fall in love with the skies every time I take off to the skies.
2. What qualities make a good pilot and what should one know about this profession?
Multi-tasking, presence of mind, and sound mental and physical health are the basic requirements of being a pilot.
There is a lot to know when it comes to aviation, but one of the primary things is a passion for flying and the skies is a must when it comes to choosing this as a career.
3. Where did you do your training from and which institute would you recommend?
I did my initial training from Chimes Aviation, Madhya Pradesh. Eventually, did my type rating on the B737 from Cockpit4U, Berlin.
I would recommend students to join Redbird Aviation or Chimes Aviation.
4. What's the best piece of flying advice given to you?
The best advice given to me was to keep my head 5 minutes ahead of the airplane. Meaning, to not let my airplane be where my mind hasn't already been!
5. What advice would you pass on to someone who wants to be a pilot?
Be consistent, work hard and never stop learning. Each day, each flight and each takeoff is a new one. Learn something new each day and never let the success get to your head. Stay grounded, always.
6. What does success look like to you in this job?
Success comes in all sorts of packages in aviation. From small ones like clearing your exams, to big ones like getting a job. The biggest success as an airline pilot has to be the day we move from the right seat to the left one. Basically, when we get upgraded to a captain from a first officer.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
The best books for pilots would be the airplane manuals, but otherwise, one life changing book I've read is "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.
Tapesh Kumar
Pilot
Interviewed By
Hari Chandanaa Kistipati
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