When I was 14 years old I was given a test lesson in a Cessna 172, by my parents as a birthday gift. This was the start of my life in the airline business but i had no idea about that, then.
It was a wonderful, cold autumn afternoon when I took off together with the flight-instructor, Mats and he let me fly the whole hour with just some minor instructions and inputs. We flew over my hometown, over my village and we did a few different manoeuvres before it was time to head back to the airport to land. During the landing I kept waiting for Mats to take over but he never did, he just kept giving me instructions until the aircraft was safely on the ground and I had taxied it onto the ramp, in front of out red club-hangar.
My father asked me if I liked the birthday present and i looked at him and said; “This is what I want to do when I get older”
This was the start of a series of events that would lead up to the man, father and pilot I am today. On that day, I took a decision that formed the goals of my life from that point onwards.
Before I decided that I wanted to become a commercial pilot I had been a mediocre student. Not bad at all but not particularly good either. I had been viewing school like I think most 14 year-olds do, something that needs to be done but nothing more. Now it was different.
My dad had sat me down and explained to me that in order for me to become a pilot I would need to have some kind of long-term plan. Becoming a pilot is potentially very expensive and requires a lot of determination and stamina. I would need to find the best flight-school, I would need to assure that I had sufficient skill and knowledge to get through the course and be successful in finding a job.
I went about this task with the burning passion that only a 14 year-old on a mission can. I started looking for schools and quite quickly found a government sponsored program in Sweden that would pay for all my licenses, IF I WAS ACCEPTED. The problem was that there were only 30 spots availible in the whole country and they started the selection based on school-grades.
This gave me my first tangible goal. I knew that in order for me to have a chance I needed PERFECT grades. Not mediocre. I started working harder than I ever had in my life. I went from a 3,5 (out of 5) average and increased that to 4.3 in 1,5 years. This was done through pure determination and hard work. When you see a clear reason for your studies it is SO MUCH EASIER to do so.
During my first year of Junior College (Swedish Gymnasium) I managed to achieve my gaol and graduated that year with perfect grades in all subjects, finished in that year. That gave me the valuable guarantee to reach the test-stage of the government sponsored program and later that year, I managed to squeeze through the gruelling test battery that gave me a spot in the program.
The most fantastic 2 years of my life followed with a chance to pursue my passion alongside 29 other students with the same goals and determination. It was the most rewarding and hard course that I have ever had to go through but it showed me, in blinding clarity, how far you can get by setting goals and keeping your stamina.
The point I want to make with this story is that anything is possible if you really put your mind to it and set up workable, realistic, achievable goals for yourself along the way. You need to brake down the ultimate goal into many smaller parts and attack them separately, otherwise the overall task will feel overwhelming.
In aviation we use several different acronyms for decision making models and in my airline we use PIOSEE. You can use that in life as well in order to achieve a larger goal. YOU can use this technique as well when it come to achieving your goals, no matter what they might be.
1: Define the PROBLEM. What is it? How big is it?
2: What INFORMATION can you gather to help you solve the problem or inform you about the tasks needed to be completed. In aviation that can be airports, weather, technical faults, passenger situation etc. In life it could be schools availible, grades needed etc.
3: What OPTIONS do you have? How can you solve the problem?
4: SELECT an appropriate option. Do not fluff around, use the info you have gathered and select it.
5: EXECUTE the option
6: EVALUATE the outcome of the execution. If something doesn’t go the way you intend it to go. Start the process from the beginning again.
In 2019 I wish for all of YOU to have clear and defined goals to work against. You might not achieve them all but you are GUARANTEED to reach further with them, then without them.
68 comments
alex konstantinoff
thank you for sharing determination hard work persevirance .
Mentour Pilot
Hi! In some bigger aircraft there are cameras at the nose-wheel to help with that. In the case of the B737, it just comes with training and experience. Have a great day!
Jo Duisburg/Hikkaduwa
Hi, due to my glasses I am restricted to sitting in Economy Class and to Flight Simulator in PC. How do you manage to roll exactly on the lines and park, rolling on that line to the gate? Thanks and always have an good flight. Jo
Jo Duisburg/Hikkaduwa
Hi, due to my glasses I am restricted to sitting in Economy Class and to Flight Simulator in PC. How do you manage to roll exactly on the lines and park, rolling on that line to the gate? Thanks and always have an good flight. Jo
Mentour Pilot
Hi! In some bigger aircraft there are cameras at the nose-wheel to help with that. In the case of the B737, it just comes with training and experience. Have a great day!
Steffen Leo
Quite nice and interesting video and description especially of how the trim wheel work on 737 max 8 for the accident aircraft of lion and ethiopian airlines .More illustration and some physic formula like captain Joe did will help for better understanding .But anyway thumb up for your friendly way to share aviation knowledge…..thanks a lot
Steffen Leo
Quite nice and interesting video and description especially of how the trim wheel work on 737 max 8 for the accident aircraft of lion and ethiopian airlines .More illustration and some physic formula like captain Joe did will help for better understanding .But anyway thumb up for your friendly way to share aviation knowledge…..thanks a lot
Mentour Pilot
You are more than welcome. I am always learning and I know that I have a bit to go in my editing skills. Have a lovely day!
Vicky golub
Hello mentourpilot!
I am not a pilot nor will I ever be I am a 66 year old retiree I became interested in planes after my first flight on a crj200 around two years ago. I have been learning about flying by watching wonderful instructional videos like yours. I have, thru YouTube, been in the cockpit of airlines all over the world. I am fascinated with planes and also the numbers and letters used at airports. I so admire the skills of a pilot whether it be sully or landing st princess Juliette or Paro. I have a hard time with many concepts of flying but I keep watching and learning Thank you for your videos and now I do understand many things but I also know how hard pilots work to transport their passengers safely.
Vicky
Vicky golub
Hello mentourpilot!
I am not a pilot nor will I ever be I am a 66 year old retiree I became interested in planes after my first flight on a crj200 around two years ago. I have been learning about flying by watching wonderful instructional videos like yours. I have, thru YouTube, been in the cockpit of airlines all over the world. I am fascinated with planes and also the numbers and letters used at airports. I so admire the skills of a pilot whether it be sully or landing st princess Juliette or Paro. I have a hard time with many concepts of flying but I keep watching and learning Thank you for your videos and now I do understand many things but I also know how hard pilots work to transport their passengers safely.
Vicky
Mentour Pilot
Hi Vicky! I am so happy that you find my videos interesting. It is exactly because of people like you I keep working on my channel. Have a lovely Easter weekend!
Ted
This is a great message for struggling people.
Ted
This is a great message for struggling people.
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! I hope so! Have a great Easter weekend!
Jan
hey man
for me it was a game changer when I found Rockwall and started investing with them
my passive income started to grow much faster than before
I’m really happy with me results and I’m so excited, because I know my passive income will increase every day (by contrast to fixed salary)
https://janzac.com/how-to-earn-money-with-rockwall-investments/#my_rockwall_results
wish you the best man. good luck!
Jan
hey man
for me it was a game changer when I found Rockwall and started investing with them
my passive income started to grow much faster than before
I’m really happy with me results and I’m so excited, because I know my passive income will increase every day (by contrast to fixed salary)
https://janzac.com/how-to-earn-money-with-rockwall-investments/#my_rockwall_results
wish you the best man. good luck!
Ken Smith
Hi Captain. I love the fact that I somehow discovered your app and website. Full of great information. Your words on goals was right on. I never was able to fulfill my dream of commercial airline Captain, because, back in the day, you had to have 20/20 eyesight, and I got glasses when in 8th grade. To this day, all I ever wanted to be was flying the big birds. But, all not lost. I did fly for years and owned my own Mooney, which was awesome. I will be in Spain this April and can only wish that I would somehow run into you in the BCN airport. Safe flying, always. Ken
Ken Smith
Hi Captain. I love the fact that I somehow discovered your app and website. Full of great information. Your words on goals was right on. I never was able to fulfill my dream of commercial airline Captain, because, back in the day, you had to have 20/20 eyesight, and I got glasses when in 8th grade. To this day, all I ever wanted to be was flying the big birds. But, all not lost. I did fly for years and owned my own Mooney, which was awesome. I will be in Spain this April and can only wish that I would somehow run into you in the BCN airport. Safe flying, always. Ken
Todd Rubinstein
What a great story!! Very inspirational. I stumbled on your channel, and much I’ve learned (by flying and working at a now defunct Airline), but much learned herein. You are brilliant. Here’s to your passion for flying and for sharing with so many across the globe.
Todd Rubinstein
What a great story!! Very inspirational. I stumbled on your channel, and much I’ve learned (by flying and working at a now defunct Airline), but much learned herein. You are brilliant. Here’s to your passion for flying and for sharing with so many across the globe.
Gwyn Evans
Hi, Just a minor point but I noticed you have a typo where you have “gaol” for “goal” once.
Gwyn Evans
Hi, Just a minor point but I noticed you have a typo where you have “gaol” for “goal” once.
Mark McNamara
Hello Captain, a favourite quote of mine by Friedrich Nietzsche when thinking about achieving goals is `No journey is too great if one finds what one seeks`.
Mark McNamara
Hello Captain, a favourite quote of mine by Friedrich Nietzsche when thinking about achieving goals is `No journey is too great if one finds what one seeks`.
Mr Tom
Hi Mentor Pilot. My name is Tom, a Mathematics teacher (in a high school) by profession; trained in Mathematics and Science subjects…I am in my early 40s and very much intersted in becoming a pilot.I’m an aviation enthusiast, likes researching more and more about types of air crafts, how planes are built, how to become a pilot, plane crash investigations, aerodynamics etc…
I have always wanted to become a pilot but doesn’t know how I should just start; the first step going forward…whether it is going to be possible when considering my age and where i stay…Africa (Botswana) where resources are a bit challenging…..please advise me via my email at [email protected]
Thank you
Mr Tom
Hi Mentor Pilot. My name is Tom, a Mathematics teacher (in a high school) by profession; trained in Mathematics and Science subjects…I am in my early 40s and very much intersted in becoming a pilot.I’m an aviation enthusiast, likes researching more and more about types of air crafts, how planes are built, how to become a pilot, plane crash investigations, aerodynamics etc…
I have always wanted to become a pilot but doesn’t know how I should just start; the first step going forward…whether it is going to be possible when considering my age and where i stay…Africa (Botswana) where resources are a bit challenging…..please advise me via my email at [email protected]
Thank you
Mr Tom
Hi Mentor Pilot. My name is Tom, a Mathematics teacher (in a high school) by profession; trained in Mathematics and Science subjects…I am in my early 40s and very much intersted in becoming a pilot.I’m an aviation enthusiast, likes researching more and more about types of air crafts, how planes are built, how to become a pilot, plane crash investigations, aerodynamics etc…
I have always wanted to become a pilot but doesn’t know how I should just start; the first step going forward…whether it is going to be possible when considering my age and where i stay…Africa (Botswana) where resources are a bit challenging…..please advise me via my email at [email protected]
Thank you
Mr Tom
Hi Mentor Pilot. My name is Tom, a Mathematics teacher (in a high school) by profession; trained in Mathematics and Science subjects…I am in my early 40s and very much intersted in becoming a pilot.I’m an aviation enthusiast, likes researching more and more about types of air crafts, how planes are built, how to become a pilot, plane crash investigations, aerodynamics etc…
I have always wanted to become a pilot but doesn’t know how I should just start; the first step going forward…whether it is going to be possible when considering my age and where i stay…Africa (Botswana) where resources are a bit challenging…..please advise me via my email at [email protected]
Thank you
Retired Special Investigator
Lots of people teach, but your teaching is amazing in that it is understandable by everyone from the interested citizen with no flight experience, to seasoned veterans. Keep up the great work !
Retired Special Investigator
Lots of people teach, but your teaching is amazing in that it is understandable by everyone from the interested citizen with no flight experience, to seasoned veterans. Keep up the great work !
Lillian Finch
Hi Mentour Pilot!
I’m a high school student in New Zealand and I REALLY want to become a long-haul international pilot someday. There is only one question that I want to know: what are the steps that a pilot needs to take to reach the position of caption after they get their frozen ATPL? (Like, do they usually need to fly turboprop planes before jet planes and do airlines tend to hire pilots to fly their jets from outside of their company’s regional pool of pilots or do they prefer their own pilots?)
Thanks for always being so informative, I really love watching your videos!
Lillian 🙂
Lillian Finch
Hi Mentour Pilot!
I’m a high school student in New Zealand and I REALLY want to become a long-haul international pilot someday. There is only one question that I want to know: what are the steps that a pilot needs to take to reach the position of caption after they get their frozen ATPL? (Like, do they usually need to fly turboprop planes before jet planes and do airlines tend to hire pilots to fly their jets from outside of their company’s regional pool of pilots or do they prefer their own pilots?)
Thanks for always being so informative, I really love watching your videos!
Lillian 🙂
Override_pilot
Hi Peter, just to wish u a happy 2019 and thanks u for make me greater aviation enthusiast. You are inspiring a lot of people to achieve their goals and be greaters, There is not “like button” enought for this. Ty!
Override_pilot
Hi Peter, just to wish u a happy 2019 and thanks u for make me greater aviation enthusiast. You are inspiring a lot of people to achieve their goals and be greaters, There is not “like button” enought for this. Ty!
Redwan lmati
Thank you captain, thanks a lot for your help, I feel I’m on the right path now to achieve my goal of becoming an airline Pilot
Redwan lmati
Thank you captain, thanks a lot for your help, I feel I’m on the right path now to achieve my goal of becoming an airline Pilot
Nelius Hubinger
Good Day, thank you for this short reminder of why it’s important to focus on goals like this. Sometimes in aviation it’s hard to keep focus because of setbacks. I’m busy preparing for airline interview and needed to read this to keep me going. Regards and thanks.
Mentour Pilot
I wish you the best of luck my friend. Remember that obstacles can be used as steppingstones to reach higher!
Nelius Hubinger
Good Day, thank you for this short reminder of why it’s important to focus on goals like this. Sometimes in aviation it’s hard to keep focus because of setbacks. I’m busy preparing for airline interview and needed to read this to keep me going. Regards and thanks.
Mentour Pilot
I wish you the best of luck my friend. Remember that obstacles can be used as steppingstones to reach higher!
Vedant Saxena
Hi Captain. I just wanted an advice for a good aviation school/college (I am just 13). So that’s why I wanted a good advice when to start my aviation studies etc.
I would be obliged if you would answer as soon as you get time.
Yours Truly
Vedant Saxena
Vedant Saxena
Hi Captain. I just wanted an advice for a good aviation school/college (I am just 13). So that’s why I wanted a good advice when to start my aviation studies etc.
I would be obliged if you would answer as soon as you get time.
Yours Truly
Vedant Saxena
Mentour Pilot
Hi Vedant. I have dedicated quite a lot of time in my Youtube channel to answer this exact question. Go into the channel and look through all training related videos I have made and you will find tons of advice. Generally, you need to decide if you will go Modular or integrated and you need to figure out your budget. There are many, many schools out there and you will need to know which ones are availible in your budget. After that you need to start investigating the schools you have focused on. You need to visiot them, talk to students and instructors and check internet forums for feedback. Make sure you have downloaded my app (Mentour Aviation) and that you are active in the chat forum. In there you can ask other students about their experiences as well. Good luck!
Tim
Well said! Sage advice for young people.
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! Happy new Year!
Tim
Well said! Sage advice for young people.
Roscoe J. Louw
Hi
Beautiful and inspirational. We all face challenges, we chose how to address and overcome them.
Thank you for the wonderful site and information.
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! I want to wish you a happy New Year!
Roscoe J. Louw
Hi
Beautiful and inspirational. We all face challenges, we chose how to address and overcome them.
Thank you for the wonderful site and information.
Teresa
I’m really surprised that in 14 years old you knew what’s you will be do in the future and you worked so hard to achieve this goal.I wish you all the best in this New Year 2019😎
Mentour Pilot
Yes, I was very lucky to find my target at such an early age. It doesn’t matter though at what age you find it, just follow a given structure and show stamina in your work. Good luck and happy new year!
Teresa
I’m really surprised that in 14 years old you knew what’s you will be do in the future and you worked so hard to achieve this goal.I wish you all the best in this New Year 2019😎
Shannon Wittman
In my life I have observed people and goals. Some people’s goals are small and not so hard to attain. Other goals are nearly impossible, based on real world logistics. Much of one’s success depends on perceptions of the real world. Moreover, some people take many years to understand themselves before perceiving their goals.
Shannon Wittman
In my life I have observed people and goals. Some people’s goals are small and not so hard to attain. Other goals are nearly impossible, based on real world logistics. Much of one’s success depends on perceptions of the real world. Moreover, some people take many years to understand themselves before perceiving their goals.
Chabota Chiyanika
It’s a beautiful motivation to me of how you worked hard and it has encouraged me a lot even though am not doing an aviation related programme. I personally want to be a pilot. I have good grades in both mathematics and physics. Am 21 years but at the moment am studying Biochemistry.
Mentour Pilot
Thats all true. Most goals are achivable but the bigger they are, the more they need to be deconstructed into smaller components and part-goals.
Have a great day and Happy new Year!
Fabian
Thank you so much for your wise words. I will definitely use them as my model in 2019. Though I am a bit old to change certain things now
Fabian
Thank you so much for your wise words. I will definitely use them as my model in 2019. Though I am a bit old to change certain things now
Mentour Pilot
Hi! I wish you the best of luck in the new year! You might be surprised about how many things you ACTUALLY can change if you have the right attitude.
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! I hope so! Have a great Easter weekend!
Mentour Pilot
Hi Vicky! I am so happy that you find my videos interesting. It is exactly because of people like you I keep working on my channel. Have a lovely Easter weekend!
Mentour Pilot
You are more than welcome. I am always learning and I know that I have a bit to go in my editing skills. Have a lovely day!
Mentour Pilot
Hi! I wish you the best of luck in the new year! You might be surprised about how many things you ACTUALLY can change if you have the right attitude.
Mentour Pilot
Thats all true. Most goals are achivable but the bigger they are, the more they need to be deconstructed into smaller components and part-goals.
Have a great day and Happy new Year!
Mentour Pilot
Yes, I was very lucky to find my target at such an early age. It doesn’t matter though at what age you find it, just follow a given structure and show stamina in your work. Good luck and happy new year!
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! I want to wish you a happy New Year!
Mentour Pilot
Thank you! Happy new Year!
Mentour Pilot
Hi Vedant. I have dedicated quite a lot of time in my Youtube channel to answer this exact question. Go into the channel and look through all training related videos I have made and you will find tons of advice. Generally, you need to decide if you will go Modular or integrated and you need to figure out your budget. There are many, many schools out there and you will need to know which ones are availible in your budget. After that you need to start investigating the schools you have focused on. You need to visiot them, talk to students and instructors and check internet forums for feedback. Make sure you have downloaded my app (Mentour Aviation) and that you are active in the chat forum. In there you can ask other students about their experiences as well. Good luck!