Working as a professional pilot can be fulfilling and exciting, whether you fly an airplane or helicopter. The job comes with its own risks, though, since you must be extremely careful and vigilant to keep yourself and the people you are transporting safe while you are operating the aircraft. Just what are the necessary skills for becoming a pilot? Here are a few important ones you’ll need to develop if you decide to pursue this career path.
Effective Communication
Being able to communicate effectively is a vital skill that in any profession but even more so for pilots. On a given flight, you may need to speak with air traffic control, fellow pilots, and an approach controller. Understanding what these people are telling you and, in turn, relaying information to them in a clear and concise manner is crucial for ensuring smooth flights. Improve your communication skills by listening to how experienced pilots talk and making sure to prioritize clarity over speed in your own talking.
Decisiveness Under Pressure
Stumbling over what to do in an unideal situation can be a detriment to your flying. You should have the ability to remain level-headed under stress so that you can make the best choices for getting your plane or helicopter through any situation safely. Training to become a pilot will introduce you to the scenarios you might come up against, such as turbulence, varying weather conditions, and panicking passengers, so that you are prepared and can carry out your actions with sound judgment.
Willingness to Trust Instruments and Outside Help
A necessary skill for becoming a pilot that relates to effective communication is the willingness to trust in outside help. Those air traffic and approach controllers you speak with have a wide view of the air so they can keep you from colliding with any obstacles, terrain, or other aircraft. Your plane or helicopter will also be equipped with a plethora of instruments to help you navigate even when your visibility is low due to cloud cover and other weather conditions.
You must be capable of trusting in your instruments and the aid of those on the ground to guide or supplement your own senses, as you alone may not see the full picture of your situation at times. This may mean learning to fight against your instinct to rely only on yourself, which may make you feel in control but can actually lead to disaster.
