They say that once someone desires to start flying, it is hard for them to want to stay on the ground. Aviation is a job occupation that can be addictive and most people who get into it do so because they are passionate about it. But can a member of the cabin crew eventually become a pilot?
The short answer is, why not? Anyone can become a pilot if they have the right skill and invest the right amount of resources. The cabin crew to pilot career pipeline is not a direct one, but being part of the cabin crew can indeed make your journey into being an efficient pilot much easier. For starters, being a flight attendant can give you the necessary experience, skills, and expertise that a pilot may need in their career.
You are likely to be more educated about the world of aviation and may be able to build the right contacts that can help you secure the job. So being part of the cabin crew can make your transition much easier, but you will still need to put in the same amount of work.
If you are curious to learn more about the world of aviation, this article is for you.
What Does The Cabin Crew Do?
Understanding what a cabin crew member can teach you will also help you understand why that might help you in your career as a pilot. The cabin crew consists of all staff members that are responsible for activities on the plane ranging from the cockpit door to the kitchen area.
They intervene in emergencies, communicate with the passengers on the flight, and are in charge of opening and closing the door.
While the cabin crew does not interfere with business going on inside the cockpit, being responsible for all the other duties they perform does equip them with a lot of knowledge and communication skills needed to be part of the aviation world.
To learn more about the training. For the crew, watch this.
How Does Being In The Cabin Crew Equip You With Skills To Become A Pilot?
There are certain very crucial things that being part of the cabin crew can teach you.
You Learn Communication Skills
This is important if you desire to become a pilot. A good pilot has the ability to interact with and understand people from all over the world. Having picked up on communication skills as a flight attendant can help you connect better with your passengers as a pilot. This connection is important because the passengers trust you with their life.
You Are Exposed To The World Of Aviation
A cabin crew member spends hours travelling from one place to another. They understand the plane’s mechanics and pick up on necessary skills such as patience and leadership. They always have to be on their feet in cases of emergency, and that allows them to learn how to deal with stressful situations.
Being a pilot is a lifestyle that requires some getting used to. Patience and panic control are skills that are crucial. A pilot needs to be able to keep calm in all situations. These are all prerequisites of the world of aviation that you can pick up as part of the cabin crew.
The Cabin Crew Has The Right Contacts
Skill is crucial if you want to become a pilot, but sometimes even with the right skills, you may not be able to live your dreams. The chances of becoming a pilot are the same as the chances of being selected by a football team. In a context like this, having well-reputed pilots vouch for you or having someone more experienced guide you can make a lot of difference.
You Develop The Passion For Flying
Most pilots want to become pilots because they love their job. Spending 2-3 years and thousands of dollars in training can only seem fruitful if that is the case. Flight attendants spend enough time flying to develop the necessary attachment to the occupation and hence can have the right drive needed for the job.
How Can A Flight Attendant Become A Pilot?
That being said, the cabin crew to the pilot pathway is still one that requires the same amount of work that being a pilot would generally require. There are several prerequisites that you need to meet before becoming a pilot. These include;
- Your Educational Background Must Meet Eligible Standards
Pilots must have completed 18 years of education and have strong English, Math, and Science skills. They also need a degree in English that is at ICAO level 6.
- You Need To Have Clear Medical Records
To become a pilot, you need to have a class one medical certificate. You should not have a history of any serious physical or mental illness, and your eyesight needs to be accurate. A history of drug abuse can also reduce your chances of becoming a pilot.
- Cabin Crew Members Have To Undergo Proper Training
Training to become a pilot is still different from training to be a cabin crew member. You still need a degree in aviation, which typically takes 2-3 years of intensive work.
What Does Pilot Training Include?
To become a pilot, you must start taking flying lessons early or join a Cadet training program. The cost of the training is around 60,000 dollars; depending on your skill, it can take anywhere from 2-5 years. Flying schools or cadet programs teach you how to fly a plane through both practical and theoretical knowledge of the aircraft and its functioning.
They also teach you life skills and train you on how to react in variable circumstances. After completing the training, you are given a certificate that qualifies you as a pilot.
The Conclusion
In short, being a flight attendant can help you warm up for eventually becoming a pilot. There have been many stories of successful pilots who started as cabin crew members. But eventually, you will still have to go through the training to become a pilot if you want to fly on your own because these are two separate occupations.
