In college I began taking flight lessons at a small part 61 school and I eventually obtained my private license. I was immediately hooked and I knew I had to do this for the rest of my life. I began to look for flight schools in the Orlando area and stumbled across L3. The structure and resemblance of how an airline is ran attracted me immediately to L3. I quickly enrolled and began my journey in becoming a pilot. The training at L3 was very rigorous and demanding, and the challenges that I faced there helped me grow as a person and molded me into the pilot that I am today. In just 12 months I was able to obtain everything, from my instrument rating all the way to my CFI. A few months after that I got my CFII and MEI and eventually became a Check Airman. I worked for L3 for about 14 months before I became eligible to work for an airline.

Flying in the airlines brings another level of complexity to flying. Since L3 operates and trains a pilot similar to how an airline pilot is trained, I was well prepared for what was ahead of me. I began my training at Endeavor Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Airlines. After two almost never-ending months, I obtained my ATP and have been working there ever since. Later in this upcoming summer it will be two years in the airline world. I plan to upgrade to captain later on in the year and eventually go to a major airline. Flying in the airline world is amazing. I love being able to get in an airplane, fly at 30,000 feet, and go 500mphs. The freedom of being able to be in so many different places in just a short amount of time is still something that boggles my mind.

Becoming a pilot has been the most difficult, yet most rewarding accomplishment that I have ever had to do in my life. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, here’s a top 10 list of why I believe someone should become a pilot:

1. The views: The views are absolutely amazing. At times I find myself in complete awe looking out the window at sunrises and sunsets.
2. The travel benefits: When you become an airline pilot traveling becomes essentially free, I only have to pay when I travel abroad and even then, I only end up paying $60-$100.
3. It is exciting: Each flight presents itself with different sets of challenges and circumstances that will keep you on your toes.
4. You learn how to make good decisions: You need to understand situations and make decisions based on information you have available to you. You’ll quickly understand your limits, and what it takes to improve them
5. You’ll make lifelong friends: Aviation is an extremely close community. The friends that I have made in this industry will be friends I will have for the rest of my life.
6. You’ll obtain a new respect for the world around you: You’ll have these moments when you understand the magnitude of flight; how immense of a privilege it really is to be a pilot.
7. Adventure: Flying is an adventure. It’s crazy how a simple machine can travel so fast through the air.
8. Freedom: It provides a sensation of freedom that can only be found up high in the sky.
9. Challenging: Flying is always a challenge. You have to be on top of your game and constantly learning about new techniques and technology if you want to be successful.
10. Fun: It all comes down to being able to have fun in your job. Being a pilot is an enjoyable way to earn a living.

Flying is an amazing and addictive career, one that after you start, you won’t be able to stop. My biggest piece of advice to anyone who is thinking of becoming a pilot is to just do it. It is a very serious and long commitment, but it is one that will change your life forever.

- Hecmer