Pilots are synonymous with airlines. They are not born overnight. Their birth has a deliberate purpose. Their flying is a perfect blend of three pivotal nouns; science, exoticism and escapade.
Captain Suraj Saunders, an offshore pilot attached to Gulf Helicopters of the State of Qatar was formerly an attack helicopter pilot with the Sri Lanka Air Force. In getting straight to the point with a goldmine of information that may add a little bit of inspiration to young people out there, Capt. Saunders shares the fact that becoming a pilot offers you an array of professional opportunities that ultimately makes you a highly demanding and competitive individual.
Captain Suraj Saunders
Enjoying immense travel opportunities across the world without confining themselves to a cubicle-bound job may often run in the imagination of some young people whose desire of becoming a globetrotter one fine day becomes a reality, with the ability of choosing a cockpit bound job.
Performing a bang-up job, collaborating with zestful and dynamic colleagues on board and bringing home the bacon may be an amazing showstopper in the life of a flyer. Commenting on the ideal age to become an aviator, Capt. Saunders said, “During their prime, many pilots begin training, whereas someone who is no spring chicken also has the opportunity to be trained. If you are really passionate about flying and above all, if you are able to meet medical and training requirements, you don’t have to think of yourself as being over the hill yet”.
Capt. Saunders said due to the growth and enhancement of the aviation industry, there is an increasing demand for helicopter pilots. The captain further said helicopters are rotorcraft and this service was a must. Albeit, the helicopter plays a comparatively niche role in comparison with the fixed-wing aircraft, it is still in such high demand where its service is recognised as a sine-qua-non in the industry.
Being an indispensable rotary-wing aircraft, helicopters provide distinctive competence that makes them significant across multiple sectors. The prevailing complexities in their selected profession as well as that of the ever-increasing competitiveness in the job market are the key motivations that drive the potentiality of would-be pilots in their pursuit of getting academically qualified as remarkable pilots.
Capt. Saunders, a member of the Royal Aeronautical society has two Master’s Degrees to his credit; an MSc. in Aviation Management and an MSc. in Management; the former was from the London Metropolitan University while the latter was obtained from the Kotelawala Defence University.
He has also completed his PhD in Management in Cambodia’s IIC University of Technology. The expansion of the market for helicopters is an indication that reflects the need for more and more proficient and skilled pilots.
“The expertise that helicopter pilots showcase makes them the most sought-after in so many industries. With the growing demand for helicopter services, a strong assurance is placed on the stability of jobs” Capt. Saunders says.
Recent statistics reveal that the helicopter pilot’s job market in the United States has ever been increasing by almost 5%.It further finds that the scarcity of pilots is due to so many different factors, among which is the retirement of experienced pilots and the regular competition with that of other professions have been identified as the most influential. In this light, the job market for helicopter pilots remains rather rich with ample opportunities for aspiring young pilots.
Research indicates that the demand for pilots for the next couple of decades would notice a significant escalation with the need to recruit about 85,000 pilots by 2035. “Flying is a highly challenging job – the challenges make it physically and mentally demanding. An ability to make quick decisions and maintain resilience under pressure are a few remarkable ingredients that a pilot should possess.
If you were a pilot, you would categorically carry the world in your hands; having the rarest chance to fly into different destinations right across the planet earth while experiencing the different sentimental of various cultures that thrive on awe-inspiring and spectacular terrain and topography is undisputedly a pilot’s warmth and wealth,” Capt. Saunders said.
