Aviation offers many different career paths and opportunities for each individual. Flying has always been something that sparked my interest. When joining the military, my first career option was to become an Air Traffic Control Operator, and now I am pursuing a career as a Helicopter Air Ambulance Pilot. Working in aviation means more than just climbing into the cockpit and flying among the clouds. It means being able to adapt and stay focused, having the ability and will to learn, and finally, receiving the amount of reward it gives.
Adaptability is something that each pilot should have and be good at such behavioral patterns. Aviation is unlike other career paths because you do not always have help or support right there. The career I am choosing puts me in the air, and if anything goes wrong, it is up to my crew to be able to adapt and make the right choices to lead everyone to safety. As a Helicopter Air Ambulance Pilot, I always need to stay focused and make sure our crew is all on the same page, as someone’s life is on the line. Teamwork and focus is something that needs to be there every single day. I do very well in stressful situations and have the ability to adapt quickly, which is why I believe this is the perfect career option for me. Staying focused also comes with being calm and able to communicate with your crew. When things do not go as planned, you, as the pilot, need to share what the new plan is and stay calm, so everyone else does as well. Each time you fly, it is a different experience, and staying focused and being able to adapt is something a pilot must always keep in mind.
For me, an aviation career is based on the willingness to continuously learn and challenge the mind. As a MedFlight Pilot, there is a limited amount weight that can be carried on the helicopter at one time. I, as a pilot, should know and understand the situation and the medical equipment that is going to be needed. The given information will not help me fly the helicopter, but it will help me make decisions along the way if needed. For example, if I understand the injury, I want to make sure we have everything we will need to be successful when we get there.
Technology is always growing and changing and being able to adjust and read the compasses and GPS is going to be very important. Pilots not only learn the information they are given, they also learn from each flight. I will need to understand the instrument panels, and if something does not look right, how to correct it and make the proper changes to ensure safety. Unlike riding a bike, being a pilot requires you to be willing to perfect your craft. I will need to put time and effort in every single day to become a better pilot and to know my aircraft more. Keeping a sharp mind and always being willing to learn are only qualities that can help me in the long run to become the successful pilot that I strive to be.
Finally, what a career in aviation means to me, is the amount of reward it gives back. I have always found being able to help people greatly rewarding. It can happen in different ways, sometimes even unnoticed. As a Helicopter Air Ambulance Pilot, that is exactly what I would get. How many times do you hear people say, “Wow, can’t believe he was able to land that helicopter there?” It is a career that comes with many ups and downs. I understand that not everyone can be saved, but as being a MedFlight Pilot, that is definitely a goal I would like to give myself. At least one should provide healthcare professionals an opportunity to do their job.
A career in aviation means more to me than just flying day in and day out. It means being able to adapt to my surroundings and making the right decisions for my crew and those in my helicopter to ensure safety to everyone. Staying focused, learning new technology, and getting experience from every flight is another meaningful trait. Lastly, the rewarding feeling of serving and giving back to the community that most others cannot is what a career in aviation means to me.