Prayers to MH 17 Victims

We take a moment of silence for the heinous act of rebels for shooting down an civilian aircraft. I strongly ask the government to take action against this merciless act of ignorance and utter violence.

MH 17 should get its justice.

May the souls be in peace.

-Chan

Why do you want to become a Pilot? (Part 2)

Recently I watched a movie called " The World's End" (not the PoC3) starring Pegg and Nick Frost. It's about a town abducted by aliens trying to change human culture of being from messy to proper discipline. The intertwines with Pegg's teenage fantasy of drinking from different pub in a row. It's funny.

Anyway, in the climax, the alien overload will have an argument with Simon Pegg about the human race being the most undisciplined and messy (so called fuck-ups). Simon Pegg and others argued back with solid points even though they were drunk.

In the heated argument, Pegg finally says:  " Face it! We are the human race and we don't like being told what to do!"

Alien: " Just what is it that you want to do? "

Pegg replied : " We want to be free. We want to be free to do what we want to do."

There are some dialogues after this, but in final, the aliens realizing that humans won't change left the planet.

Yup, it is funny. But the point is - we want to be free.

Does being a pilot has anything to do with being free? Or is this the reason why we want to become a pilot? Is it the only reason?

In all my years in aviation industry, I have came across plenty of pilots. I observed that , there are pilots who are in the business for various reasons. I will also tell the truth about them:

• Reputation  - the ability to walk straight, chest out and tell anyone and everyone that I fly a 200 ton machine for a living. Their self esteem and confidence is based on this fact. People like this would always believe that no matter what, there is nothing more greater than being a pilot. 
• The truth is they might have been low on self esteem or meaning of life at their young age.(who isn't). These people after many long years, realizes that the self-esteem and reputation is not something to be given from others. It should come from within. This is the reason why some airline pilot get bored of flying.
• Money - These are the guys who actually think of being rich (in their terms) by flying. These guys would change the airlines, shift to different country for making the big buck. They want everything to be contracted and in a deal. If the airlines are not gonna pay them for a flight, they will not touch the throttle.
• The truth is after all, being a pilot is a job. A job with pros and con like any other. However the earning potential is okay in today's market. I mean when you are indeed a captain, you can buy a Audi A6, an apartment, good education for kids and in overall a good lifestyle. But of-course if it is money you want, this is definitely not the right choice. 
• Passion: These are the guys who would shout woohoo! when watching Top Gun for the first time. They will be thinking about this for days, downloading pics, reading about them and getting bombarded each time...until a new awesome thing.
• The truth about this group is that, it's just a crush. They actually talk about it a lot, but never really do anything. The problem people sometimes take life changing decisions based on this. If someone like this decided to become a pilot, eventually he will focus on other aspects of life and flying becomes monotonous. 
• Love : There are people, who are in spite of being in different industry, is a pilot. These are the people who has turned their passion to love. These people will fly for you for free. These are the people who are thankful to see a 747 take off, who respects the marvel flying above them. 
• The truth is that, this group will love flying forever. See, these are the people who are devoted to aviation. One example is John Travolta. 

Now, what is your reason? Why do you want to become a pilot?

One thing I want to make clear to the aspiring pilots is that, there will be hardships with getting your first job. It might take 2 to 3 years to get 1500hrs. Please accept this fact and take it as a challenge.

Fly High.

Until Next time.

Chan

Why Do You Want To Become A Pilot? (Part 1)

Before two days, Airbus filed a patent for windowless cockpit. They are talking about a concept where the pilot has a 3-D environment with holograms and projections of the outside. Basically they are substituting the need of a window with these projections. It's pretty cool when you think about it.

"It would be better, says the patent, if the cockpit were moved into some other area of the aircraft and the pilot equipped with entirely electronic means of observing and controlling the aircraft's flight ." -Click here to read full article

First thing that got me thinking was....How good this will look?

Eh...well, its just a sketch as of now.

The other thing in my mind was -  what has flying an airplane turned into?

Why do you or me or anyone want to become a pilot?

The passion/satisfaction? best view? destiny or just plain awesomeness?

I would say all of the above. All in all its just makes us proud. To Fly.

My question - is that enough?

Its true that it satisfies our ever dying need of flight. It's truly incredible. But at what cost?

Let's go back 2 decades ago, the good old 90s. There were airlines and airliners. Flying was a highly reputed job then. The Captains earned a lot more than average jobs. They had awesome life - flying around the world, staying in penthouse, luxury cars etc.

A good job to aim for. We as kids would have to choose from being an engineer, pilot or doctor. It was simple. If you have the guts, the money and the passion -  you have a wonderful life ahead. It seemed noble and exciting at the same time. The way to freedom, fame and money.

Being a pilot is a perfect blend of of purpose, productivity and pleasure.

Well, in reality - the above given is just an exaggeration. The truth is a little away from this.

Please stay with me. I will write more about this in the next article. It will be posted on 13th July 2014.

Until then, this is Chan signing off.