Contemporary Issues in the Aviation Industry

Preparing for the Flight Line

Once you’ve completed ground school, and simulator and flight training, preparing for life on the flight line is simple. Talk to others in the same crew position who’ve been on line for awhile; make a thorough list of your anticipated duties, and learn how they’re to be accomplished. If time and policy permit, it also pays to ride along on a few routine trips so you can see how the operation works.

While each of us wants to be a great stick the day we go on line, other skills are just as important. For example, if a new copilot can get the chores done, preflight the airplane, and properly load the passengers, the captain will be greatly assisted. Sharp pilots learn to master this routine stuff before going on line. It keeps the operation on time and allows more energy to go into the flying, where it’s most important.

From a flying standpoint, perhaps the toughest challenge for “step-up” pilots is staying ahead of the airplane through the course of a flight. Piston pilots moving up to turboprops or jets for the first time face this challenge in a big way. Along with their civilian counterparts, military pilots transitioning from King Airs, C-130s, and rotary-wing aircraft learn that things happen much faster in jets. Know the procedures before going on line, and study your assigned trips ahead of time. To quote one seasoned airline captain, “By far, the biggest problem I’ve seen with newer first officers is [lack of] preplanning. Things just happen so damned fast in a modern jet. Reviewing and setting up early is essential, especially at high-density airports.”

For IOE in multi-pilot operations, the company will assign you to an experienced captain who’ll help you learn the ropes. Those pilots working single-pilot turbine operations for the first time should arrange for a type-experienced instructor to ride along for the first several flights; there’s a lot to learn, even after all the training.

Expect a few challenges and a few chuckles from others during your first few days on line as you learn the ropes. But you won’t mind—you’re there!

Computers

There’s one other more general training topic for you to consider. Aircraft systems, particularly those in the cockpit, are rapidly computerizing. If you ask long-time Boeing 777 captains about their toughest professional challenges over a career, a good many will name the transition to a computerized cockpit. Sophisticated, computerized flight management systems now appear in most corporate jets, regional jet airliners, and even in many turboprops. In fact, the odds are good that you’ll face them in your first turbine aircraft. So if you’re not particularly knowledgeable about computers, start learning immediately. Even basic operating skills on a desktop or notebook computer will help you greatly in the transition from analog instruments to a computerized cockpit.

What’s more, if your previous flight experience is limited to analog “steam gauge” instruments, invest a few hours in a light-aircraft “glass-cockpit” check out. But don’t wait until turbine ground school and flight training to experience your first digital cockpit. It may be too late. (For more information on computerized cockpits see Chapter 13, Navigation, Communication, and Electronic Flight Control Systems.)

Contemporary Issues in the Aviation Industry

As you advance in the aviation industry, it’s valuable to recognize some of the issues that you’re likely to face. Getting hired in this industry is challenging enough without getting on the wrong side of sensitive issues. In addition, most companies have probation periods for newly hired pilots. (One year of probation is common for the airlines.) It’s now easier to get released during probation for inappropriate behavior unrelated to flying skills. Some of the sensitive issues are related to teamwork, union affiliations, driving under the influence (DUI), and harassment.

Crew Resource Management and Teamwork

Due to the ever-increasing emphasis on crew resource management (CRM), teamwork comes up time and time again as one of the most addressable areas of flight safety. What does it mean to you? From the interview onward, pilots must convey teamwork to their employers and peers. While this may sound easy enough, it’s not. Pilots accustomed to single-pilot operations, for example, must bend over

backward to learn crew concept procedures and attitudes. If you come from such a background, it’d be well worth your while to read up on the topic, attend a CRM workshop, and discuss related issues with friends in the industry. This CRM sensitivity must be conveyed throughout the interview process and continue on through employment. Those coming from a single-pilot background should expect to be asked about teamwork issues at job interviews and should be prepared to make the right impression.

Unions

Union issues are among those that theoretically are never supposed to come up at interviews but often do. There are widely divergent opinions about the roles of pilot unions in aviation. Some companies are unionized, while others are not, and among the employees and management of every company are differing perspectives on the roles of unions. As an applicant, the most important thing is to be sensitive to union issues at companies to which you apply. If you’re lucky enough to have a choice, you may find that such issues may impact your decision of who to work for. In any case, you’ll want to handle any union issues as sensitively as possible. Along with politics and religion, union issues are best not discussed with people you don’t know!

Driving under the Influence

It cannot be overemphasized how seriously DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) offenses can impact a pilot’s career these days. You’ll have real difficulties getting hired with a history of such offenses. If charged with DUI after you’re hired, you won’t make it through your probationary period. It’s just not worth the risk.

Discrimination and Harassment

As you know from reading the daily papers, discrimination and harassment have become major public issues. The aviation business, as well as others where minorities and women were largely excluded until recently, is highly visible and highly sensitive to charges of discrimination and harassment.

As a pilot, it’s imperative to present yourself as a team player and as an open-minded professional. If you are suspected of discrimination, you can bet it won’t help your career. As you might imagine, flight departments want to deal with flight operations rather than harassment and personnel issues. Employers want to present only the best possible image to the public. Charges of harassment are particularly devastating to business these days and present huge legal liabilities. Accordingly, it should be no surprise that interviewers and management are trained to be alert for such problems all the time.

Besides, as a professional pilot you’ll likely be flying with the same folks for years. This is a wonderful experience, given that you have the right attitude. If you harass people or otherwise make enemies, your job will no longer be any fun, even if you’re lucky enough to keep it. As a pilot applicant, and as an employee, you’ll want to present and sustain only the best possible image of sensitivity, tolerance, and getting along with others.