3 answers
Neville
Student
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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How can I shadow a pilot for a day?
Doesn’t matter if it’s a commercial pilot or not.
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3 answers
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
40
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Neville! Just like the others have pointed out, you can certainly gain a wealth of knowledge about piloting without actually shadowing a pilot. That's the silver lining! However, the flip side is that, particularly in commercial aviation, pilots hold a critical role in safety and security. This makes their workspace pretty much inaccessible to the public, so "shadowing" them is not an option. The same goes for flight attendants, a role I'm proud to hold. But don't lose heart! There might be pilots out there who've shared their experiences through blogs, vlogs, or even good old-fashioned books if you're into that. And if you're lucky enough to strike up a conversation with a pilot (easily found at airports!), they might be kind enough to give you a glimpse into their daily life. I wish you all the best!
Justin Ko
Aircraft Mechanic
6
Answers
Upland, California
Updated
Justin’s Answer
I am not a pilot myself, but I am a member of the aviation industry on the maintenance side and I think I can offer some advice here. As a general life lesson, the best way to get anything is to simply ask! Don't be afraid of rejection and don't be discouraged if a few people or places tell you no. It's definitely never personal, and just remember that it only takes one person to give you an opportunity.
Specifically regarding shadowing, I would start by contacting flight schools in your area and ask if you can follow a CFI for a bit. You'll get a taste of the early stages of the career path to becoming a pilot and I think would really open your eyes to whether it is something you want to pursue. You probably won't get to fly, but my understanding having worked at a flight school, is that you actually spend quite a bit more time on the ground preparing for the flight versus actually flying. You could also perhaps reach out to local aviation museums and see if they have any pilots that could answer whatever questions you might have.
Just a couple of ideas, hope they help!
Specifically regarding shadowing, I would start by contacting flight schools in your area and ask if you can follow a CFI for a bit. You'll get a taste of the early stages of the career path to becoming a pilot and I think would really open your eyes to whether it is something you want to pursue. You probably won't get to fly, but my understanding having worked at a flight school, is that you actually spend quite a bit more time on the ground preparing for the flight versus actually flying. You could also perhaps reach out to local aviation museums and see if they have any pilots that could answer whatever questions you might have.
Just a couple of ideas, hope they help!
Thanks for the advice.
Neville
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
81
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Neville, I would agree with Justins answer.
You might use the internet and search on "aviation day." Alaska Airlines would sponsor this event once a year in Seattle. It was basically setup for high school students to attend. The students would spend time with all aspects of an airline operation: maintenance, flight planning, flight scheduling, etc.
What you might try is find a Fixed Base Operator and ask them what corporate aircraft are based at their facility or in the general area. Get the name of the pilot or first officer and ask them if they could spare some time for you.
I think Cape Air has a base in your area and you might contact them and ask them if they would spend some time showing you around.
Regards, Wayne
You might use the internet and search on "aviation day." Alaska Airlines would sponsor this event once a year in Seattle. It was basically setup for high school students to attend. The students would spend time with all aspects of an airline operation: maintenance, flight planning, flight scheduling, etc.
What you might try is find a Fixed Base Operator and ask them what corporate aircraft are based at their facility or in the general area. Get the name of the pilot or first officer and ask them if they could spare some time for you.
I think Cape Air has a base in your area and you might contact them and ask them if they would spend some time showing you around.
Regards, Wayne
Thank you, I’ll look into it
Neville