Communication
Piers
Captain A321
Experience
Most Recent Aircraft Type:
Training Route/Previous Roles
Aviation Specific Degree:
Languages:
Location:
Captain Saab340 /First Officer A320/321
A321
Airline cadetship route with a regional carrier.
No
English, German, Thai
Australia
Additional Experience/Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science with Honours. PhD, two diplomas in airline operations.
Previously I was in research science as a lecturer in biology and aquaculture. Currently do sessional academic teaching in chemistry. Currently I am also a mentor for the Australian Federation of Air Pilots. Previously I have been involved in programs for first year students transitioning from school to university and a Management consultant with Accenture in change management.
Passions, Interests and Experience:
Change Management – culture change and organisation design/development. Mentoring, Coaching, Aviation Training. Strong LGBTQ ally.
Why did you want to become a pilot?
It was always a lifelong dream for me as a child. I recently unearthed a profile I wrote when I was 10 saying I would like to be a marine biologist or pilot when I grew up!
Was training a breeze or did you find it a challenge?
I found training a challenge as I was a scientist before I became a pilot. In science, you must make sure every task is complete and your data is able to be critically evaluated. Each task must be completed in sequence. Problem with aviation is that if you focus too much on one task at a time, your situation awareness degrades and potentially so does the safety envelope around the aeroplane! That was a big challenge for me to broaden my perspective and take into account all tasks going on concurrently.
What was most challenging?
Workload management and focus on a broad application of tasks in a flight deck were the most challenging for me
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the ability to work with wonderful people and fly to quite amazing destinations on a daily basis. Moreover, I love the combination of science and human factors which make a cockpit tick.
What is most challenging about your job?
There is a heavy burden of recurrent study and training and heavy hours associated with the job. However, the benefits far outweigh the effort that has to be put in.
Which of the Pilot Competencies are of most interest to you and why?
Communication, Leadership and Teamwork, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Situational Awareness. I often think airlines completely disregard the nature of the humans they used to fly their aeroplanes. I would really like to be a part of a change in culture and set of techniques in order to bridge the human technology interface.
Additional Info
I have been mentoring both formally and informally since my first job as an Associate lecturer at Sydney University in the late 90s. Mentoring offers deliverable business and personal outcomes for mentees, and thus I see great benefits in Mentor programs. Moreover, I have also worked in championing change very formally at a large management consultancy for some years. Hence, I regard myself as a change champion in the workplace.