Communication
Nick C
First Officer
Airline Pilot Experience:
Most Recent Aircraft Type:
Training Route:
Aviation Specific Degree:
Languages:
Location:
FO/SFO, TRI/E, CRMI/T
Boeing
Integrated ATPL
Yes
English
Europe
Additional Experience/Qualifications:
N/A
Passions, Interests and Experience:
Aviation Training, Evidence Based Training, Competency Based Training, CRM/TEM
Why did you want to become a pilot?
I’m not sure I could pin it on any single childhood experience as many do. I spent many hours on flight sims at home, and many more beside various runways; fingers in the airport fence entwined. To put it simply I was just a kid who loved airplanes! I’m not sure much has changed in that regard...
How did you fund your training?
Was training a breeze or did you find it a challenge?
Certainly a challenge, but very rewarding.
What was most challenging?
Maths has always been a weakness for me, so subjects like GNAV presented the biggest challenge. Flight school was also my first extended time away from home, and that in itself presented its own challenges. With retrospect, it was an important part of ‘growing up’ for me.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The flying! Smoothly rotating 445 tons of aluminium, Jet A and boxes into the blue yonder...then returning 345 tons of it (ideally) smoothly back to Earth at 170kts. I also have a passion for training – my two years as TRI at Volotea were the most fun I’ve had in aviation yet; I hope to get back to that in the future. Additionally, I’m a keen photographer – the job presents wonderfully unique opportunities for this hobby, both while flying and during layovers.
What is most challenging about your job?
Finding sleep opportunities with the unique long haul lifestyle we have flying cargo. It’s a constant fight between the body clock, time zones and the wakeup call.
Which of the Pilot Competencies are of most interest to you and why?
Application of automation and procedures, and flight path management. I also find ‘resilience’ itself a fascinating topic, and often the most interesting talking point during CRM courses since it came to the forefront. To catch the attention of the class you really need a good ‘what’s in it for me?’ - resilience is a hugely relevant subject that draws in so many other competencies – dozens of accidents attest to that, many of them recent, involving equipment we are all familiar with.
Additional info
I was involved in mentoring Volotea cadets at FTE. Keeping in touch with and visiting them at the school throughout their training, and attending graduation. This was an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience!