Flight Department Careers: 4 Tips to Keep Boredom at Bay

If you’d have told my younger self that I would end up flying for thirty-two years in corporate aviation, he would never have believed you. I never imagined that my aviation career would center on Business Aviation for so long.

Market conditions steered me in this direction and, luckily, my personality made me a good fit for the customer service and flexibility that are essential to flourish in the industry. But what would I have told myself to prepare me for my many years in the industry?

Working in Business Aviation is not always a bed of roses. Any seasoned aviator will know that our profession is full of ups and downs, expansions and contractions. And with these market swings our jobs change, forcing us to adapt and reinvent ourselves.

Meanwhile, we build relationships and families, and our expectations, priorities and life goals evolve.

While we may enter the profession with dreams of adventure and prestige – the opportunity to fly sleek aircraft and globe-trot at near supersonic speeds – the reality can be very different.

Frustration and demotivation can set in when our expectations meet with the daily grind, leaving us feeling stagnant and occasionally disillusioned. We need to be prepared for this...

Making Standby Days Productive for Flight Crew

Boredom and repetitive routine can be real – especially for those of us flying to the same destinations and itineraries. As I write this article, for example, I am staying in the same hotel, at the same location I flew to for the past four work trips.

I’ve crossed off just about every item on the restaurant menu and visited every must-see location twice. I have done more miles on the hotel gym’s exercise bike than for the year-to-date on my real bike at home.

But at the times when repetitiveness occasionally befalls my schedule, I have created a routine of exercise, online learning, reading and some small hobbies that I can pursue on the road. I work extra hard at making my standby days productive and purposeful, keeping sharp and removing boredom from the agenda.

Learn to Manage Flight Department Workplace Toxicity

The dynamics within corporate flight departments can also contribute to frustration. We pilots must learn to navigate complex interpersonal relationships and office politics. Miscommunication, conflicting agendas, and power struggles can all create a toxic work environment, undermining job satisfaction and morale if we don’t manage ourselves.

Having the right leadership in place to deal with personal agendas and other factors that contribute to a toxic work environment is crucial to achieving workplace happiness.

Personally, I try to instil a structure that enables Flight Department team members to be empowered and not micro-managed. Within the team, everyone knows their responsibilities and the long-term goals. And this in turn helps minimize workplace toxicity.

With more focus placed on how the team functions, and each individual member understanding their role within that team’s success, there is less space for workplace toxicity to grow.

New Skills Keep Your Flight Department Career Exciting

Investment in training and education is essential for professional growth – especially in aviation. We can pursue advanced certifications and specialized training in several areas, including safety and operational management.

Continuing education enhances our skills and knowledge while also opening-up new opportunities to advance our careers. Acquiring additional proficiency in areas like aviation management, technology, maintenance, or aviation law and taxation can expand our career options beyond traditional pilot roles.

And most importantly, new skills keep the job exciting and fresh while simultaneously enhancing our versatility and marketability in the Business Aviation industry.

Mentorship can also provide valuable guidance and support in helping us navigate the complexities of the industry. Connecting with peers, industry experts, and seasoned professionals can offer insights into valuable growth-based career opportunities.

Consider an Aviation-Related Side Business... 

For those pilots with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting an aviation-related side business could prove a rewarding venture, introducing variety to the patterns of the day job.

Whether it's launching a charter brokerage operation, aircraft management company, or offering flight training, entrepreneurship offers the opportunity to take control of one's own career and pursue a passion on your own terms.

Looking Beyond Professional Growth in the Flight Department

Beyond professional growth, focusing on personal development is essential for maintaining resilience and wellbeing in the face of frustration and adversity as a Business Aviation pilot.

Cultivating emotional intelligence and stress management skills help pilots navigate the challenges with greater ease, while prioritizing self-care, nurturing relationships, and pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work will also contribute to overall life satisfaction and fulfilment.

Happiness in the workplace should always be the icing on the cake.