My honest advice to someone who wants to be a pilot

Summary

In this inspiring narrative, the speaker recounts his journey and that of 'Ryan,' who overcame numerous obstacles to become a certified flight instructor. The speaker offers practical advice for aspiring pilots, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's passion, creating actionable plans, and seeking support from like-minded individuals. He also discusses the financial considerations of flight school, the challenges of training, and the value of maintaining fluency in aviation knowledge. The story concludes with a motivational call to action, encouraging viewers to start their aviation journey today.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story of 'Ryan' shows that with perseverance, one can overcome obstacles and achieve their dream of becoming a pilot.
• 📧 Charlie Gassam, a commercial pilot, shared advice and encouragement through email exchanges with aspiring pilots like Ryan.
• 🌟 It's important to pursue your passions even if others don't understand or support them, as everyone has unique interests.
• 💡 Making actionable plans is crucial for achieving your dreams, as others won't create them for you.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Pursuing your passion can be challenging without support, but it's essential to believe in yourself and your abilities.
• 💼 Financial planning is key when considering flight school; consider if the investment in education will pay off with your pilot career.
• 🔄 The middle of training can be the most difficult, so it's important to anticipate this and find ways to stay motivated.
• 🤝 Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can provide encouragement and support during the challenging phases of training.
• 🕊️ Learning to fly is like learning a new sport and a new language, requiring practice and repetition to build fluency.
• ⏳ There's never a perfect time to start; it's better to begin now and make adjustments than to wait for an ideal moment that may never come.

Q & A

Who is Ryan in the context of the script?

Ryan is a pseudonym for an individual who reached out to the speaker, Charlie, for advice on pursuing a career as a pilot. Despite facing obstacles and lack of support, Ryan eventually became a certified flight instructor.

What was Charlie's initial interaction with Ryan?

Charlie's initial interaction with Ryan was through an email exchange where Ryan sought advice on becoming a pilot. Charlie offered encouragement and guidance, which later led to a professional relationship where Ryan became Charlie's flight instructor.

What advice did Charlie give to Ryan regarding pursuing his passion for flying?

Charlie advised Ryan to pursue his interests despite others' lack of understanding or support, to make actionable plans, and to be prepared for the financial aspect of flight school. He also emphasized the importance of persistence, especially during the challenging middle phase of training.

How did Charlie address the issue of financial planning for flight school?

Charlie suggested that taking out a loan for flight school should be considered a financial puzzle, where one must assess whether they can reasonably pay back the loans with their expected pilot income. He also differentiated between debt for education that leads to higher income and consumer debt.

What role did the local EA chapter play in Charlie's advice?

Charlie recommended joining the local EA chapter as a way to surround oneself with like-minded individuals who are either going through or have experienced flight training, which can provide support and encouragement.

Why did Charlie emphasize the importance of making friends with other pilots during training?

Charlie emphasized this because having a support system of friends who understand the challenges of flight training can provide encouragement and make the process less daunting. He cited a study that showed having consistent check-ins with someone increases the likelihood of achieving a goal.

How does Charlie relate learning to fly to learning a new sport and language?

Charlie relates learning to fly to learning a new sport and language because it involves building new muscle memory and fluency in aviation-specific terminology and communication, which requires practice and repetition.

What is the significance of the discovery flight Charlie mentioned?

The discovery flight is significant as it allows individuals to experience firsthand the process of flying before committing to flight training. It's an opportunity to test the waters and determine if pursuing a pilot's license is the right path for them.

Why is it important to take personal notes during ground school according to Charlie?

Charlie stresses the importance of personal notes because they serve as a study guide independent of instructional videos, aiding in memorization and retention of information, which is crucial for passing tests and practical exams.

What is the main takeaway from Charlie's story with Ryan?

The main takeaway is that with determination, planning, and the right mindset, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams of becoming a pilot, as exemplified by Ryan's journey from a struggling student to a certified flight instructor.