Dear Aviators,
Flying has always been a job with many ups and downs. But what the world and the aviation industry is facing now is unprecedented. We are not talking about a turbulence which will be over again, sadly it is a down we have not experienced since the terror attack in 2001 and the world finance crisis in 2008/2009. This down is more intense and even more unpredictable. Nevertheless the corona virus has not diminished dreams and ambitions to become a pilot. Since the pandemic started I received a lot of questions asking me if I would still recommend becoming a commercial pilot. In this blog post I will be 100% honest with you.

Photography by Manu (Professional photographer & plane spotter)
It is time to remove your pink glasses
and leave the fairytale with unicorns and airlines searching desperately for pilots. Nobody, including me, wants to discourage ambitions and dreams but it is important to talk about how the industry is now and what it might be in the next few years. Even an outlook into the near future is difficult since times are so uncertain.
When will there be a vaccine available? How will travel restrictions change in the long term? What preventive measures will airlines follow? Which airlines will exist in the future? When will tourist travel come back? Will we ever reach the before corona level?
The list of questions goes on but all answers decide on your question: “Will I get to be a pilot if I start flying training now?”
The current situation is a true nightmare. Approximately 10,000 commercial pilots are currently unemployed solely in Europe and the UK. Thousands of pilots are still fearing they may lose their job because of the pandemic and those who still have their jobs are on reduced pay or on part time hours.

Photography by Florian (Professional photographer & Videographer)

Photography by Manu (Professional photographer & plane spotter)
Stagnation of Pilot Recruitment for Years
According to the British Airline Pilots association (BALPA) there will be no meaningful recruitment for about two years. Finding a flying job will be extremely difficult. Especially with the high competition from experienced pilots looking for a cockpit job as well. Pilot training takes approximately two years, so you might be done after the pandemic is over and things have normalized again. However even if this means the demand rises again, an airline would prefer to choose the experienced and type rated pilot first. Nevertheless, I do not want to discourage you because my story proves that ambition and hard work pays off. When I completed flight training in 2010 the job market situation was not really the best. I applied with numerous airlines without any success. I visited an aviation fair, which led to me getting hired – with a little bit of luck, good timing and going the extra mile.
“Where there’s a will there’s a way”
I want you to avoid paying lots of money for your pilot training and then finding out that there is not a single job available. It definitely makes sense to wait at least until mid 2021 to see how the situation is then and if airlines have a more precise recruitment plan. The challenges and risks are currently too high.

Get my book to read about my story: becoming a commercial pilot and more aviation insights.
No air travel like before Corona
At the moment it is very difficult to assess how the future in the aviation industry will look. But I am very sure that the general demand for flights will not reach the same level as before the pandemic started. Firstly lots of people are suffering from the crisis which means they will simply not have the means to go on a vacation. Secondly the mentality to go on business trips will change or has changed already.
Companies will think twice in the future and decide if the budget for the business trip makes sense, or if the meeting can be done online instead. In general, most companies will be weakened through the crisis which means they will have a reduced budget for travel in general. The business traveller who books expensive business class tickets will fly less, which will seriously impact the airline’s revenue.


Photography by Florian (Professional photographer & Videographer)
My honest advice and recommendation about becoming a commercial pilot
Do not enter flight training right now!
If you are leaving high school and you want to become a pilot: I recommend those who are leaving high school at this time, to get experience in another profession or a degree. Once completed you can reconsider becoming a pilot. This way you postpone your start date to a time where there will be a much clearer picture of the situation. Additionally, some pilots will be leaving because of retirement or a new profession. This will guarantee you a full back-up plan in case you do not manage to get employment as a pilot.
If you have started your flight training already: I think in this situation it makes sense to finish your course with the pilot school in order to receive your license and use every possible resource to find a job and be open to relocate.

Photography by Manu (Professional photographer & plane spotter)
Every personal situation is different, so you need to access the risks and benefits. Be realistic, but still follow your ambitions and dreams. To have a Plan B is advisable for any one of us. I wish I had better news for you, but my intention was to be honest in answering the question if you should consider becoming a commercial pilot right now.
Leave me a comment below your thoughts about this topic and do not forget to like the blog post! Thanks to Florian for the photos of me and Manu for the amazing aircraft photos. Maker sure to check out their work.
Safe and healthy travels and happy landings!
Your PilotPatrick
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Your advice for anyone who wants to be a pilot is helpful. You analyze the current situation too clearly and do not diminish the ambitions of future pilots. You are wonderful my captain.
❤❤❤
love you pilot Patrick
Excellent blog post with your honest perspective . Yes there is much uncertainty unpredictable nature of pandemic sadly . Even though Vaccine is coming up it would take very long time to have aviation industry restored as the pre- Covid status . Like the way you asking many questions to lead our thoughts !! And those questions are really the ones we’re all concerning right now !! Also the way you wrote for both side to leave the pink eyeglasses but keep the way you want !! And yes aviation has high highs and low lows for sure !! But one thing pretty sure it will likely return to a time when pilot hiring is more competitive than before also . As senior pilot mandatory required to retire and there also more other options like cargo , skydriver or missionary aviation flying … etc .so in my opinions do not give up your life time career decision off of this short term crisis if most airlines follow through the new policy over Covid . Therefore It’s still have to be cautiously optimistic of this industry . Moreover I love you saying we still have to follow our dream as aviation always overcome the worse days to see our blue sky and its the passion of profession to do what you love to do !! Anyway I love this blog post thanks so much for your honesty advice to those chasing their dream to live on their dream !! Always love your positive and inspiration 🙂
I like your saying “where there is lice, there is a way”. Perhaps at the moment “lying breathing waiting for a good opportunity”.
The paper plane flew forward like a jet. It looked so proud and challenging before Corona’s nightmare.hehe…The pictures you post on your blog are very beautiful. I’ve always loved everything you do, angel Patrick
Hi Patrick! Your post helped me a lot, actually you encouraged me to study another degree and then think what I really want to do being realistic once I have finished it…
We all admire you and appreciate how honest and helpful you are ❤️
A big hug from Spain
U You have to pray a lot to God .. because Corona also makes us suffer from an economic crisis, but not only have many countries. “You can wait for the storm to pass, that’s our hope Pat
Hai My dear Pilot Patrick..
I really understand with all the hard situation right now.. i believe and my hope our normal life will back soon and the vaccine will be made on time.. esp Indonesia i hear from the news .. the beggining of december.. the vaccine will come here.. so this good news are becoming our hope to reduce the corona virus..
You are right, we may follow our dream to become a pilot or even working in aviation industry.. but we must have plan B. To learn another subject in college like baking, administration etc.. so when the situation isnt good.. we may have another job to survive… and when the situation is more better, i mean the aviation industry .. maybe some young people who want become a pilot.. they can start for pilot school again..
My pray.. Hope all of us still be patient, positive thingking and never give up!!
Thank you.. greetings from Indonesia
This is a great article, Prince. That will be a most sincere and honest answer from you for those who want to be a pilot right now. the clear analysis of the actual situation and the consequences that the airline industry will face in the near future after the pandemic ends is completely correct and in this case the advice for a plan B is perfect . Thanks for the most sincere and honest sharing from you as well as the beautiful pictures. Thanks for being my favorite great pilot. Lots of love for you, Prince ❤❤❤❤
My dear Pilot Patrick
Working in aviation industry, I fully agree to your analysis and recommendations to future pilots. Thanks for this objective words.
Anyway, I wish you many happy landings, especially in those difficult days.
Daniel
PS: Of course I really love the last picture!!!
Waraluk Wongpanya
Thailand..
Really help full
Capitano Patrick, sono in disaccordo con il tuo pensiero, siamo in una posizione alle nostre origini, tutto parte dal nome importante di una scuola di volo, la professione deve essere comprata, deve essere acquistata nelle nostre rispettive nazioni, possedere una formazione in stile americano perde valore , addirittura non riconosciuta nel tempo, dichiaro ufficialmente che sono operativa come assistente di terra, hanno aggiunto che posso parcheggiare aerei , purtroppo è obbligatorio possedere un attestato e una licenza, nella vita funziona sempre il sistema di raccomandazione, a me è accaduto, la Germania mi ha chiamato per assistenza aerea, ho litigato nella direzione dell’aeroporto di Berlino, ho dichiarato che sento il bisogno di avere un figlio, avere i miei diritti , la mia opinione è avere una famiglia , in GERMANIA O IN ITALY, HO URLATO DI PRENDERE UN PILOTA UOMO TEDESCO AL MIO POSTO, È UNA TECNICA PER GARANTIRE DI SALVARE QUALCUNO CHE HA VOGLIA DI VOLARE E DI LAVORARE, UNA DONNA ITALIANA HA BISOGNO DI ASPETTARE A CASA IL SUO UOMO CHE TORNA DAL LAVORO E ABBRACCIARE E AMARE IL PROPRIO FIGLIO.
buen dia pilotpatrick. es una gran profesión ser piloto ya que todo no tiene ese valor suficiente de volar. es muy lamentable que el corona le haiga cambiado la vida a cada uno de los seres que habitamos este mundo. sus planes y meta sueño. tomando en cuenta que este corona es creado por los mismo seres humano por un benéfico de laboratorio sin importarle cuanta gente seres querido mueran por su causa. pero hay que seguir adelante ingeniársela con otros empleo para sobrevivir ya que esto afectara la economía mundial. gracias a quien haiga echo el corona. es muy triste ya que la humanidad no será igual que ante seguirán las restricciones y nos dejara una gran enseñanza de sobrevivencia. hay que tener mas fe en DIOS nos ayudara a salir de esta pandemia y tener fe que los vuelo volverán a ser mejor que antes.
Thailand
What do you plan to do during this time. Around the time the corona situation was raging? Do you think you’ll be looking for another job while you wait for the airline industry to stabilize.
Hello my sweetie first of all I can say that you’re the best Pilot I’ve ever seen in aviation industry and second whatever what is your plan in the future just stay positive and don’t give up just fight for all the struggles that we faced today because of Coronavirus most of the establishments and companies are shutting down…Stay safe be strong and God will always guiding you my sweetie and always remember no matter what will happen am always praying for you…love and care for you my King Captain Pilot Patrick ❤❤❤
Lookforward with hope Notbackwards with regret..our dream come true..Everyday is a fresh start..Fighting..mypilotpatrick..✌✌I’ll following you always..
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I read,you wrote well. I made a comment on your ins.
Of course we have afraid of coronovirus but we have to learn to live with it and take all the security mesures. In the middle of November i tryed to travel but they blocked me and didn’t let me go. The problem is not only people who have afraid. They don’t let us travel.✈ LY Patrick!
Hi My dear Pilot Patrick thanks for the honest and genuine advice to all the youngsters who are at present doing their Pilot studies and for the those who have the dream of becoming a pilot but due to this pandemic year they sre confused whether in future they will be able to get the job of a pilot…m sure your advice will be very helpful for them because you have you have all the knowledge about the current situation and experience also appreciate your honest advice and you have done an amazing job of writing this blog hope soon this pandemic year and corona virus gets normal and the aviation industry also gets normal and travel gets safe and happy lot’s of respect to you Captain Pilot Patrick
Beautiful intelligent views , well presented including challenges and realities of aviation indusry through an honest expert Mr. Patrick my dear captain. Can you please talk about the air quality processing in the cabin currently due to obvious pandemic status in simple terms Captain. I alwsys wonder whenever I fly now. I am not an aviator just a curious student of any knowledge!! Thanks . God bless.
U You have to pray a lot to God .. because Corona also makes us suffer from an economic crisis, but not only have many countries. “You can wait for the storm to pass, that’s our hope Pat
I understand that in addition to being a commercial airline pilot, that you are also in the Air Force. I’m just curious, what rank/pay grade, and what unit?