Although it is easy to assume that being a pilot means working for an airline, corporate aviation also offers exciting careers for aviators. Corporate pilots have unique opportunities when it comes to their lifestyle, workplace, and travel destinations. Here is what you need to know about becoming a corporate pilot.

What Does a Corporate Pilot Do?

There are a few different types of employers that hire corporate pilots. Some nonaviation companies—such as Walmart and the Las Vegas Sands Corp.—have fleets of private jets. These companies hire pilots to fly their executives and employees for business purposes.

It is also possible to work for an individual or family that owns a private jet. Certain businesspeople, celebrities, and other individuals with significant wealth have their own aircraft and hire personal pilots to operate them.

Many corporate pilots work for charter companies that operate private aircraft. Individuals and companies who do not have their own aircraft but want to fly privately can hire these companies on an as-needed basis. Pilots working for these companies often have the opportunity to serve a variety of clients and fly to a diverse range of destinations. 

Corporate pilots fly many different types of aircraft, with the exact type depending on their employer. While some corporate pilots fly single-engine propeller aircraft, others fly heavy passenger aircraft in a business jet configuration.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Corporate Pilot? 

As is the case with any pilot career, the first step is obtaining a private pilot certificate.

This license will give you the basic skills to fly an airplane or helicopter and allow you to fly small aircraft recreationally. Minimum requirements for a private pilot certificate include being 17 years old and obtaining an FAA medical certificate.  

The next step is to earn a commercial pilot certificate. This is what gives you the ability to be paid as a pilot and allows you to start your aviation career.

Although you can land some corporate pilot jobs with only a commercial pilot certificate, employers will often require significant flight time before you are eligible—typically 1,500 hours. So you will need to build your hours before entering the corporate pilot world.

Luckily, there are many jobs available as a low-hour commercial pilot, including air tours, surveying, and instructing.

Some corporate pilot jobs will require you to have the top-tier pilot license, airline pilot transport certificate, or ATP certificate. Pilots must have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to obtain this certification.

Each employer has its own requirements, but corporate first officer jobs will typically need 1,500 hours of flight time, a FAA first-class or second-class medical certificate, a valid passport and the legal authorization to work in the United States, and a Federal Communications Commission radio operator license. Captain jobs will require more flying experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a corporate pilot? 

The amount of time that it takes for you to complete your flight training depends on how often you fly. Once you have your commercial pilot certificate, you can hit the 1,500-hour threshold in as little as two years if you have a full-time flying job.

How much do corporate pilots make?

The salary of a corporate pilot can vary greatly depending on their work hours, aircraft type, geographic location, and employer. Given the current demand for pilots, salaries are fairly competitive with the airlines. New first officers can expect to make around $70,000 to $100,000 per year, while senior captains can have annual salaries of over $300,000.

How much does it cost to become a regional airline pilot?

If you are starting from no flying experience, getting a commercial pilot certificate in the United States will cost around $100,000. Once you have an entry-level pilot job, your costs will be offset by your pay, and your overall income and any debt will depend on your circumstances.

The post How to Become a Corporate Pilot appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The report noted that long-term demand for qualified aviation personnel remained strong with the need for some 674,000 pilots, 716,000 maintenance technicians, and 980,000 cabin crewmembers by 2043 to meet growing demands.

“Driven by aviation traffic trending above pre-pandemic levels, personnel attrition and commercial fleet growth, the demand for aviation personnel continues to rise,” said Chris Broom, vice president of commercial training solutions for Boeing Global Services. “We are focused on being a reliable and innovative partner in the lifecycle of aviation training. Our offerings are rooted in competency-based training and assessment programs to help ensure high quality aviation training starting in flight schools and in commercial operations while helping enhance aviation safety through immersive and virtual training solutions.”

Boeing also anticipated a 3 percent increase in airplane deliveries over the next 20 years, projecting a need for 44,000 new commercial aircraft. According to the company, single-aisle airplanes will make up 71 percent of the fleet with new deliveries primarily for short- to medium-haul routes.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Boeing Projects Need for 2.4 Million New Aviation Professionals appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The job of an air traffic controller (ATC) is a challenging and oftentimes stressful one. At the same time, it can be a rewarding and exciting career choice. Here is what you need to know about becoming an air traffic controller.

3 Steps to Becoming an Air Traffic Controller

1. Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

In the United States, most civilian ATCs are FAA employees. The agency hires periodically for the air traffic control jobs, which are also sometimes referred to as air traffic specialists.

Basic eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, three years of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree (or a combination of both), the ability to speak English clearly, and a willingness to relocate.

Applicants must also be younger than 31 years of age, but there are exceptions for experienced ATCs. Males must also be registered for the Selective Service System if they are required to do so.

2. Apply

The FAA typically runs an annual recruitment campaign with a short application window lasting only a few days. Applications are submitted through the federal government’s job site, USA Jobs.

Applicants will then need to pass a skills assessment at an approved testing facility. The assessment is a multipart aptitude test that includes memory games, air traffic simulation, a personality test, and more.

The next step is to pass medical and security clearances. These include drug testing, medical exam, psychological testing, and federal background check.

3. Training

Successful applicants attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. ATC trainees are placed in one of three tracks (En Route, Terminal Radar, or Tower). Their time at the academy ranges from two to five months, depending on the track. 

Training continues at an air traffic control facility following graduation. It can take up to three years to be a fully certified controller.

Air Traffic Controller Salary

While attending the FAA Academy, trainees receive a pay of around $37,000 plus a per diem of approximately $100 per day.

Once they are assigned to a facility, their minimum annual wage is around $46,000 plus a locality pay that depends on their assigned facility. This typically leads to an annual salary of approximately $60,000 to $70,000.

ATCs receive salary increases as they complete each training phase, as well as throughout their careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for air traffic controllers in 2023 was $137,380 per year or $66.05 per hour.

Work Locations

FAA air traffic controllers work at facilities across the country.

While tower controllers work at airports, those in the other two tracks might work elsewhere. The facilities for En Route controllers and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) controllers are typically not located at an airport.

Applicants must be willing to relocate and work anywhere in the country. While they are given the opportunity to provide geographic preferences, the FAA assigns controllers based on its needs. Controllers can transfer between facilities throughout their careers.

Other Ways of Becoming an Air Traffic Controller

There are a few other ways of becoming an air traffic controller in the United States.

One is by joining the military as an ATC. Military controllers can earn the same FAA certifications as civilian controllers. In fact, many choose to become FAA air traffic controllers after they leave the military.

The FAA also has around 250 contract towers that are staffed by employees of private contracted companies. The approximately 1,400 air traffic contract controllers have to meet the same qualification and training requirements as FAA controllers. However, these companies typically only hire controllers who are already certified, meaning that most new hires are former FAA employees or military controllers.

The post How to Become an Air Traffic Controller appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Becoming a fighter pilot is a dream for many. Military flying has been around since the world wars, but as technology advanced—and media representation in movies such as Top Gun increased—the general public’s fascination with military pilots, especially fighter pilots, has only increased.

One of the most popular questions many have is how to become a military pilot in the first place. It is possible to become a pilot in nearly every branch: the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Each branch completes its own training, but there are common requirements that apply across the board to help applicants start their careers.

Most notably, a four-year degree is usually required to have a chance at becoming a military or fighter pilot. Some applicants complete this prerequisite by attending a university run by a military branch, such as the U.S. Military , Air Force, Naval, or Coast Guard academies. Still, others attend a traditional civilian university and complete additional requirements on campus.

In addition, pilot hopefuls must be officers. Besides attending one of the four military academies, applicants can complete training at the Officer Training School or, especially notable if they attend a four-year university, ROTC. ROTC programs for all branches exist at numerous universities across the country, providing access to practically any interested pilot.

Pilots must also meet a variety of physical criteria and fitness tests. The Air Force stipulates that height requirements vary based on the aircraft a pilot will operate, but fitness is still of paramount importance. Uncorrected 20/20 vision, or better, is critical, as is good heart health and acceptable hearing. Pilots must also be in good mental health so they can remain calm and focused even in the most stressful situations.

Finally, there are many demographic criteria that a prospective candidate must meet. Pilots need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old. Maximum ages vary by branch but are generally in the mid-30s.

All these requirements must be met before a pilot even gets in an aircraft. After becoming eligible, a pilot must complete a ground school course on aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and more. The military uses a series of basic trainer aircraft, many based on civilian aircraft models, to start their pilots’ training before moving them to advanced aircraft and, finally, the pilot’s permanent type.

Military pilots have a variety of roles and responsibilities. From refueling other aircraft and searching for threatening targets to providing aerial support to ground troops and even dogfighting, pilots are expected to carry out each mission with professionalism, expertise, and skill.

After settling into their new job, pilots have opportunities to be promoted or change types. These moves can often be competitive, and new positions are based on performance. However, military pilots are nothing if not motivated to meet each new challenge and opportunity head-on.

The post How to Become a Military Pilot appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

There are many types of pilot jobs throughout the country, and some of them offer higher earning potential than others. Here are the best paying pilot jobs:  

Major Airlines

The “big three” in the United States—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—have all recently had significant pay increases for their pilots. While airline pilot pay depends on seniority and aircraft type, the most senior widebody captains at these airlines can make upward of $500,000 per year.

Other large carriers—such as Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines—also pay very well. The salary scales at these airlines are generally competitive with their largest counterparts, but the maximum earning potential for pilots is typically lower since they do not operate widebody aircraft.

A new first officer at a major carrier can expect to make between $90,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on the airline. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that  airline pilots had an average salary of $250,050 in 2023.

Regional Airlines

A few short years ago, new pilots at regional airlines were relatively poorly compensated. A new first officer—often still saddled with debt from flight school—would sometimes make less than $50,000 a year.  

However, increased demand for pilots at regional airlines have increased salaries, with many companies even offering hiring bonuses. The starting pay for a first officer at a regional airline is now typically within the range of $80,000 to $110,000 per year, and senior captains can command an annual salary of over $200,000.

Cargo

The salaries at large cargo airlines are competitive with that of their passenger counterparts. While FedEx and UPS pilots have a slightly lower starting salary than those at airlines like American Airlines or Southwest Airlines, their more experienced pilots have comparable pay scales.

However, pilots at cargo airlines that fly smaller regional aircraft are paid less. At some of these airlines, the pay is comparable to that of passenger regional carriers, but others have lower salaries for their pilots.

Business and Corporate

The schedule and lifestyle of a business or corporate pilot can vary greatly depending on their employer. Salaries therefore also differ significantly between individual pilots.

While some pilots work lots of flights on very short notice, others only fly long trips that are scheduled well in advance. Corporate pilots also fly a variety of aircraft, ranging from smaller propeller planes to large business jets.

Salaries for corporate and business pilots can start as low as $40,000 to $50,000, while the top-earning captains can earn upward of $300,000 per year.

Government

The federal government hires pilots for a variety of roles, including passenger and cargo transportation, law enforcement, and firefighting.

Pilots typically fall on the GS-12 to GS-14 federal government pay grades. In 2024, this means that their salaries range from $74,441 to $135,987.

Local and state governments also hire pilots for similar roles. The pay for these pilots is typically comparable to what the federal government offers.

Are Pilots Paid Well?

The salary of a pilot can vary greatly depending on their experience, schedule, and employer. Although early career jobs may not be very well-compensated, more experienced pilots—and particularly those at major airlines—have very high earning potential. 

The post The Best Paying Pilot Jobs appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

From search and rescue to aerial photography, the possibilities for helicopter pilots are endless. Here is how to land a job as a helicopter pilot.

How Do You Become One?

The licensing process is similar to that of fixed-wing pilots. Aspiring helicopter pilots need to be a minimum of 17 years old and be able to obtain an FAA medical certificate.

A private pilot certificate is the first step in the journey to a career as a helicopter pilot. The training for this license teaches you the basics of flying a rotary-wing aircraft and prepares you to fly helicopters recreationally.

To make money while flying, you will need a commercial pilot certificate. You can work as a helicopter pilot with this license, opening the door to jobs in industries such as flight tours, medical transport, and law enforcement.

The airline transport certificate is the top-level license and requires significant training. Although it is not required for many helicopter pilot jobs, having it can make you more competitive during your job search.

Where Do You Train?

While they are less prevalent than fixed-wing flight schools, there are many schools offering helicopter flight training across the country.

 After you have researched local training options, your chosen flight school will be able to help you learn more about the process and requirements for obtaining your certificates. Once you have completed the necessary training for each, you will need to pass written and oral tests to earn your license.

Is It Expensive?

The cost of becoming a helicopter pilot varies greatly depending on your situation, but a private pilot certificate typically costs between $10,000 and $20,000. Earning your commercial license can cost upward of $100,000.

What Types of Companies Can Employ You?

Once you have your commercial pilot license, you can begin applying for helicopter pilot jobs. There are many types of companies and organizations in need.

Medical airlift and evacuation companies commonly use helicopters to transport patients, and therefore have a significant demand for pilots. Similarly, search and rescue operators also require pilots to operate their helicopters.

Helicopters are often used for observing the world beneath them or capturing imagery of the ground. There are companies that employ helicopter pilots for aerial photography and videography, and news organizations hire them as well. If you want to fly passengers, corporate transport and tour companies hire helicopter pilots.  

Government bodies also have a need for commercial helicopter pilots. For example, the military employs pilots to work as instructors, and the U.S. Forest Service  for their firefighting operations. Law enforcement agencies  hire civilian pilots to fly their aircraft.

Do You Make Good Money?

The salary for helicopter pilots can vary depending on their experience and employer, but you can expect salaries to start at around $70,000 per year. With more experience, one can easily earn upward of $100,000 to $200,000 annually.

Is There a Demand?

There is a significant need for helicopter pilots across the United States. Many employers are actively seeking new pilots, and the demand is forecasted to grow over the coming years.

Helicopters perform specialized tasks that are vital to society. Despite the cost and effort required to gain the necessary licenses and experience, helicopter pilots are rewarded with exciting career prospects and competitive salaries.

The post How to Land a Helicopter Pilot Job appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

If you are ready to join the ranks of this rapidly growing industry, our checklist will be the key to your success. By getting the proper certifications and appropriate training and deciding which career path is best for you, the skies can be your path to a rewarding career in the drone industry.

Quick Look: Drone Pilot Job Checklist

1. Meet the legal requirements for commercial drone pilot jobs.
2. Choose a career path (9-to-5 job or freelancer).
3. Train to make yourself more marketable.
4. Choose a niche.

Legal Requirements for Commercial Drone Pilots

Before you can begin your career as a drone pilot, you must meet certain legal requirements, as detailed below.

1. Obtain Remote Pilot Certification (Part 107)

In order to earn money from drone pilot employment, you must meet FAA Part 107 license requirements in accordance with its Small UAS Rule. Without this certification, pilots are violating federal law anytime they fly for profit. The pilot and even those hiring them can be subject to fines and jail time if they choose to ignore this rule.

Criteria to earn a remote pilot certification:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Read, write, speak, and understand English
• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a UAS
• Pass a TSA background check and adhere to specific rules regarding felony convictions 

If you meet all of the above requirements, you may sit for the initial aeronautical knowledge test, called the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam.

Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam details:

• Costs $175
• Consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, which you are given two hours to complete
• Requires a score of 70 percent or higher (at least 42 questions correct) to pass

If you pass the exam, there are a few administrative tasks you must complete to have the FAA send you your license, but you can start earning money while you wait for the official license to arrive in the mail. 

You will need to stay current by taking recurring training and passing a test every 24 months, but the training and test are online and free.

2. Register Your Drone

The second requirement is to register your drone or drones if you have several. Registering your drone is an easy process and is completed using the FAADroneZone website. The cost is only $5 per drone and must be renewed every three years.

Choosing a Path 

Before getting into the specifics of training, it is important to note that there are two paths everyone seeking drone pilot employment must choose between: full-time  and freelance.

Full-Time Employment

If you are interested in a steady paycheck, set hours, and benefits like medical, dental, and 401(k), you most likely want to be hired as a full-time pilot. Working for a company that employs commercial drone pilots offers security but may also limit your earning potential.

Freelancing

Freelance pilots operate their own businesses as drone service providers. While some of the security that comes with a 9-to-5 job is sacrificed, you can choose your own hours and have unlimited earning potential. Some pilots choose to combine the two paths and freelance outside their regular working hours, but most choose one path or the other.

Make Yourself Marketable With Commercial Drone Pilot Training 

Like any profession, commercial drone pilots can significantly increase their marketability through specialized training and the acquisition of new skills. There are many ways to continuously build your knowledge, but here are some of the best ones.

1. Enroll in Drone Pilot School

Schools for drone pilots come in all shapes and sizes, from brick-and-mortar multiyear universities like Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, to online education platforms such as Altitude University. 

While the FAA doesn’t require commercial drone pilots to attend any instruction before taking the Part 107 exam, the vast majority of pilots benefit from attending one of these programs. Students learn a wide range of materials, such as airspace rules, understanding weather conditions, and the legal requirements of drone operation.

2) Practice Piloting Skills

Some in-person programs teach piloting skills, but most pilots learn on their own. YouTube is a great resource for learning how to fly drones. While it varies with each individual, I like to recommend pilots fly at least 40 hours in a variety of locations and conditions before considering themselves a skilled drone operator.

3. Learn Your Equipment Thoroughly

Learning your equipment is just as important as learning how to fly. Drones are essentially flying cameras or data collection platforms. If you don’t understand how to use the equipment on your drone, you won’t be a successful commercial drone pilot. 

For example, if you’re using thermal imaging, you should invest in thermography classes such as those given by the industry leader Teledyne-FLIR. Search for well-established schools with good reviews when looking to expand your understanding of UAV-related equipment and payloads.

4. Don’t Forget Your Recurrent Training

Recurrent training is required by the FAA to keep your remote pilot certification current. You must complete the training and pass an exam every 24 months. 

The good news is the FAA provides the training and the test online for free. You must pass the exam with a 100 percent score, but the FAA allows you to go back and correct incorrect responses, so it’s essentially impossible not to pass.

Potential Drone Pilot Job Niches

Drone use began in the defense sector, but its applications have grown far beyond the battlefield. We’ll briefly highlight a few of the numerous niches in which you can specialize, but this is by no means a complete list of all the drone applications currently in use.

Real Estate

For most new operators, entry-level drone pilot jobs begin in the real estate industry. The real estate market is present in every community, and drones provide a unique perspective for showcasing real property. Studies have shown that properties marketed with drone footage have a much higher chance of selling. 

To succeed in this niche, you’ll need to understand the basics of photography and have a drone with at least a 20-megapixel camera. Lower megapixel cameras will work fine, but most real estate agents want at least 20-megapixels. You should also carry at least $1 million in liability insurance (which is the standard amount for most drone gigs anyway).

Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture has adopted drone technology with great success over the last decade. Drones can help with counting plants, identifying crop diseases, analyzing soil, and managing water. Pilots interested in this niche will need a drone with a multispectral camera and specialized software such as those provided by Pix4D and DroneDeploy for precision agriculture.

Construction

From mapping to project management to calculating material stockpiles, drones are well entrenched in the construction industry. Pilots will need to have a drone with a good RGB camera, and if they are mapping, they will need to consider additional equipment that improves precision in measuring, such as RTK and ground control points.

Cinematography

If the bright lights of Hollywood are calling, a career in drone cinematography may be just for you. Not too long ago, helicopters were the only way to get sweeping shots and fly-ins of scenes. Drones are more controllable and much more cost-effective. Many pilots in this niche build custom drones and use very expensive payloads with industry-leading cameras to capture cinematic footage. 

If you’d like to pursue a career in this field, you’ll need an in-depth understanding of photography and likely some experience with an established cinematographer before starting off on your own.

Insurance

The insurance industry uses drones to document the conditions of property before and after disasters. Many pilots are finding work in this niche, especially in areas prone to seasonal storms and natural disasters. The requirements for this field are similar to those for real estate photography. Depending on your state, you may also need additional certifications and training.

What Are You Waiting For?

The applications for drones are rapidly growing, and the need for skilled pilots continues to be a challenge for the industry. If you would like a rewarding occupation with highly marketable skills, the drone industry is a great choice with unlimited earning potential. 

Using our checklist as a guide, you can begin your journey and start turning your love for aviation and photography into a profitable and enjoyable career.

FAQ

How much do drone pilots get?

Salary.com estimates the average salary for drone pilot careers to be $48,649. It’s not uncommon for some pilots to earn over $100,000 per year.

What disqualifies you from becoming a drone pilot?

You must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the FAA.

• Be at least 16 years old
• Read, write, speak, and understand English
• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a UAS

Additionally, you must pass a background test and adhere to specific rules regarding felony convictions. If you do not meet these, you are disqualified from becoming a commercial drone pilot.

Is it hard to make money as a drone pilot?

As a UAV operator, the amount you earn generally reflects your efforts to find work. If you are hired full-time, earning a consistent amount may be easier. As a freelancer, you have unlimited earning potential if you are in the right market and providing a quality product.

The post Checklist: What You Need to Qualify for a Drone Pilot Job appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In this edition of V1 Rotate, FLYING contributor Sam Weigel chats with Ed Krause, who has been flying as an expat pilot in Asia for the past 16 years. Krause takes Weigel through the process of being hired at a startup regional airline in China, transitioning to business jets, and more. Learn how the expat pilot market is evolving, what the future may have in store, and ways to make yourself competitive for an overseas job.

The post Riding the Wave as an Expat Pilot in Asia appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“We understand that there are other quality maintenance providers in the market,” GoJet CEO Rick Leach said in a news release. “However, being one of the few Part 121 operators offering this service, and only one of two regional airlines, GoJet now has a unique opportunity.”

The company noted a “growing need for MRO services,” particularly for regional airlines as aircraft return to commercial service from storage programs. GoJet plans to leverage this growth by offering MRO services to regional carriers and others.

“Our offering of this new service not only highlights our dedication to the regional market but should also provide our prospective airline customers with an additional level of comfort and support,” Leach said.

GoJet’s MRO facility will offer specialized maintenance programs, interior and composite capabilities, and aircraft modifications. The company said it emphasizes “efficient turnaround times, quality workmanship, and personalized service.”

The airline said it is actively seeking clients and securing long-term maintenance contracts. GoJet operates a fleet of over 30 CRJ-550 aircraft on behalf of United Express.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post GoJet Receives FAA Part 145 Certification appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

I’ve written about this process in broad terms before, but there is one aspect I would like to focus on: honing your ability to tell a good story and refining your repertoire of stories for interviews.

Most aviation interviews include a group chat that may include chief pilots, check airmen, recruiters, HR reps, line pilots, and perhaps even nonpilot employee representatives. This is commonly referred to as the panel interview, and for many pilots, it is the most stressful part, especially if the panel is large. Many of the questions during the panel interview take the form of, “Tell me about a time you…,” and you are expected to reply with a short illustrative anecdote from your career or life.

• READ MORE: Pilot Mental Health Remains the Last Taboo in Aviation

Some people were born with a natural gift of gab—many of us were not. That’s OK. You weren’t born with the natural ability to fly, either—you gained the skill the hard way, through learning, practice, and experience. Talking about yourself in a relaxed, authentic manner is a skill like any other. It can be taught, learned through trial and error—or for the lucky few, acquired by osmosis, by growing up around other good storytellers and subconsciously adopting their techniques. Most of us get better at it throughout our lives because we accumulate more interesting stories and tell them enough times to hone them well.

This isn’t something that you can pick up the night before your interview. If you’re only belatedly finding out about the panel interview and you have one next week, best arrange for a jam session with an aviation interview prep service, such as Cage Consulting or Emerald Coast. This isn’t a bad idea anyways, because most people are poor judges of how they sound and look to others.

Less expensively, but also less expertly, you can rope your friends or colleagues into being your practice audience and giving you feedback. This can be a fruitful (and FAA legal) use of free time in cruise flight. But if you’re shy and prefer to judge yourself, a GoPro or other camera set up on a tripod at eye level and 10 feet away will be brutally honest. The main thing is to make a conscious effort to practice. It’s best to start early.

• READ MORE: After a Training Fail, What Comes Next?

If you “got the gouge” for a particular employer’s interview, you’ll have an idea of what questions they may ask, but they’ll likely switch up things on occasion, and there’s a good chance you get at least one completely random question. Rather than focus on specific questions, you should develop a repertoire of stories concerning a broad range of events throughout your life and career.

Your stories should, whenever possible, be no longer than two or three minutes long. A good story will include a brief setup, a well-paced narrative, and a definitive conclusion. You should obviously avoid stories that paint you as a clueless lout, but they should show humility and growth. A bit of humor of the self-deprecating variety is often helpful. I’ve often joked that I never let the truth get in the way of a good story, but interview stories should be mostly true. Outright fabrications are usually glaringly obvious. Paring details for the sake of narrative and brevity, however, is both expected and necessary.

Often the panel’s questions are of a sort that could be seen as an invitation to talk about the deficiencies of former employers or coworkers (“Tell me about a time you disagreed with a supervisor.”) Don’t fall for this trap: Your overall tone should be positive and focus on your own actions, deficiencies, growth, and strengths. The last thing you want to show is simmering resentment. When a story necessarily involves a company or supervisor doing something underhanded, unsafe, or illegal, do not name them. On the other hand, liberally name mentors, coworkers, and supervisors who have been a positive influence. There’s a decent chance someone on the panel knows them.

• READ MORE: How Professional Pilots Can Survive Probationary Periods

Your stories shouldn’t all be aviation-related. Many of the questions won’t directly concern flying, and using anecdotes from your life outside of aviation can help demonstrate a wider variety of interests and talents. This can be particularly helpful when the panel includes nonpilots. In that case, you should also limit your technical jargon or include explanatory asides.

When telling your stories, try to appear relaxed even if you’re not, and try to sound like you haven’t rehearsed even though, ideally, you have. The trick is to write down only the outline, and then never tell the story exactly the same way twice. Pretend you’re telling it at a bar, and the next time at church, and the next time on a date. Use a timer and work out the ideal pacing. Try to eliminate “uhs” and “umms,” inserting pauses instead where needed. As you become more comfortable with a story, incorporate natural-feeling hand gestures, and use a camera to check your corresponding facial expressions.

Here are some sample questions to get you started at developing your repertoire of stories. I’ve included a version of a story I’ve told in several interviews as well, as an example.

• “Tell me about a time you helped a coworker.”
• “Tell me about a time you were interviewed and didn’t get hired for a job.”
• “Tell me about a time that a coworker made you uncomfortable.”
• “Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.”
• “Tell me about a time you felt out of your depth.”
• “Tell me about a time you failed a test or course.”
•  “Tell me about your proudest moment.”
• “Tell me about a time you broke a FAR.”
• “Tell me about a time you were uncomfortably low on fuel.”
• “Tell me about a time you declared an emergency.”
• “Tell me about a time you diverted to an alternate.”
• “Tell me about a time you thought the system was unfair.”
• “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a dispatcher (supervisor of flight, etc.).”
• “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a [captain/first officer].”
• “Tell me about the best job you ever had.”
• “Tell me about a time you stayed at a job you disliked.”
• “Tell me about a time you witnessed sexual harassment/racial discrimination.”
• “Tell me about the best teacher you ever had.”
• “Tell me about a time the customer was wrong.”
• “Tell me about a time you went above and beyond.”
• “Tell me about a time you were scared.”
• “Tell me about a time you were fatigued.”
• “Tell me about a time you grounded an unairworthy airplane.”
• “Tell me about a time you were asked to do something illegal or unsafe.”

An example of my response: 

“Early in my career, I was flying canceled checks at a Part 135 company that’s no longer in business. They were sort of a mom-and-pop, fly-by-night operation, and they were nice people and tried hard, but you never knew if your next paycheck was going to clear. Anyways, late one night in Las Vegas, I had an electric fuel pump fail on a Piper Navajo, and, since that’s a nondeferrable item, I called my boss, who we’ll call Jim, at 2 a.m. I woke him up, and he was understandably grumpy, telling me to just open the fuel cross-feed, use the left electric fuel pump to start the right engine, and then press on to Burbank on the engine-driven pump.

“I thought about it for a second and realized, yes, that would work—but it was pretty severely illegal and would also leave me with a single point of failure in a heavy airplane over high terrain. I told Jim that and said I wasn’t willing to do it. He just growled, ‘Fine. Don’t move. I’ll be there in three hours,’ and hung up. 

“Sure enough, just as the sky is getting light, Jim roars up with another Navajo, gets out without a word, and starts tossing bags out of my plane. I join in and a few minutes later we’re panting next to a small mountain of bank bags and Jim just points at them, grunts, ‘Take those to Burbank,’ jumps in the broken Navajo, and blasts off. I was pretty shaken up. The whole way to Burbank, I was wondering if I just got myself fired. 

“The next day I came to work half expecting to be sent home, and I was kinda OK with that. I’d thought about it during the night and decided that no job was worth my life or my certificate and that I didn’t want to work for anyone who required me to put either at risk. The funny thing is, Jim greeted me cheerfully and didn’t say a single word about the incident. In fact, he never mentioned it again. I think once he calmed down and had some time to think about it, he realized he’d rather have a safety-conscious pilot than a risk-taker even if it was occasionally inconvenient. Since then, whenever I have to make a hard decision that I know might upset coworkers or supervisors, I think back to that night in Las Vegas.”

The post How to Ace an Airline Interview by Telling a Good Story appeared first on FLYING Magazine.