Flying High: Unveiling the Secrets to a Successful Start in Airline Pilot Training

In the digital age, there has been a real shift in the way that individuals interact with the products and services around them and when it comes to finding a career, it’s no secret that there is a greater focus on diversity and increasing talent pools for industries that have been somewhat stuck in the past.

This is true for the aviation sector and as the entry age for pilots is gradually lowering (and the need for younger pilots increasing), more and more people are taking flight training seriously as a new career path. With fantastic pay grades, the opportunity to see the world and so much more on offer, it’s easy to see why becoming a cadet in 2023 is especially attractive. The better the education received, the stronger the chances of a long and happy career, so here are the secrets to a successful start in airline pilot training.

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Preparing Mentally and Emotionally for Flight Training

While the right flight school, such as Europe’s leading Egnatia Aviation, will give their cadets the tools they need to become a professional pilot, including both technical and soft skills, it will be the duty of the individual to mentally and emotionally prepare for the journey ahead. There is a lot to consider and learn to become a member of an aviation team, and pilots play a pivotal role within the industry. As they will be expected to oversee a host of functions outside of simply operating the aircraft (they will have to conduct pre-flight checks, analyse flight plans to determine the best routes and ensure safety, navigate a host of weather conditions, properly communicate with flight staff and more), they certainly take on a lot of responsibility.

Some of the best ways to prepare are:

Have a regular exercise routine

• Eat healthily
• Quit any bad habits
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Communicate issues or concerns with tutors and peers

When cadets are physically and mentally in a good place, they will be better equipped to deal with the challenges posed when training to become a pilot, so it is worthwhile to form some strong routines to build confidence, manage stress and maintain a positive mindset.

Excelling in Ground School

Ground school training is a key early component of the overarching flight training syllabus, so it can be important for aspiring pilots to understand what will be expected of them. When building a solid knowledge foundation in aviation, Egnatia will provide the right theoretical study elements such as necessary information regarding airport rules, aircraft instruments, aerodynamics and weather systems. A firm grasp of each of these components will assist cadets when passing the applicable knowledge tests to attain their pilot license. To ensure ground school training is as effective as possible, trainees will want to make use of the audiovisual aids and programmed instruction materials on offer, as well as create a well-defined self-study method that incorporates realistic periodic study goals, tools to maximise engagement in the classroom and a deadline for learning that will give them enough space to be fully prepared for the final exam.

Navigating Flight Training

Pre-flight training

As a plane is an incredibly complex machine, cadets will need to learn how to perform pre-flight checks before the aircraft even reaches the runway. They will be provided with a physical document that outlines all of the necessary functions and items that need to be covered to identify hazards and determine any requirements for the flight ahead; all to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Manoeuvres

The highly skilled tutors at Egnatia Aviation will provide extensive training on flight manoeuvres including how to:

• Safely bring aircraft to runway in an airport setting
• Take off and land (in a host of wind conditions)
• Fly at different speeds
• Fly straight and level
• Fly at night
• Make both level and climbing turns
• Perform forward slips and sideslips
• Safely follow airport traffic patterns during both entry and departure
• Avoid collisions, wake turbulence and wind shear
• Descent protocols, including turns and high/low drag configurations
• Handle stalled engines and equipment malfunctions
• Conduct emergency protocols
• Perform high-altitude operations and post-flight procedures

Cross country flights

All cadets will need to perform landings and take-offs outside of the host airport (for those studying with Egnatia Aviation, this will be away from Lydia airport). The initial flight will be undertaken with the tutelage of an instructor before a solo flight is taken and will need to cover more than 25 nautical miles (typically from airport to airport).

Instrument training

This will include the basics of aeronautical navigation, focusing on visual cues, reading magnetic compasses and dead reckoning protocols before moving into how to read air traffic control radars and flight computers, as well as perform radio navigation. Egnatia Aviation will then teach cadets to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and cover how to use GPS systems, alongside both the Non-Directional Beacons network and VHF Omnidirectional Range radio transmitters.

Developing a Professionalism and Safety Mindset in Airline Pilot Training

Within the aviation industry, professionalism and a safety mindset are key areas that aspiring pilots should both focus on and promote in their everyday roles. This refers to both personal and workplace applications and can promote:

• a strong sense of identity,
• actionable responses,
• a drive to lead,
• increase the reputation and
• promote a better industry for staff, regulators and consumers, improve the approach to safety and more.

This can be achieved through building a strong network of professional communication, encouraging teamwork and instilling safety-oriented habits and cultivating an honest relationship between students and instructors during pilot training. There are a host of benefits to flight school training, but building these skills will be essential.

Why train with Egnatia Aviation?

As the leading flight school in Europe, Egnatia Aviation has nothing short of the most well-appointed training facilities for airline pilot training (including their very own airport ‘Lydia’ Airport, access to the latest flight simulator technology and more).

Also, you will be taught by highly-skilled instructors in order to be one of the next alumni success stories. Egnatia Aviation has a high employment rate of 95.7%, and even partnerships with leading airlines to provide unique job opportunities to those who really stand out from the crowd. With a diverse range of training courses, you will certainly find what you need right here.

Ready to soar the skies? Contact our mentors today.