Introducing Per
We recently caught up with Per Benker, a former pilot, who kindly shared what he used to do on an average day when he was a pilot, how he started his flying journey, the challenges he faced and his hopes for the future of aviation.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in the Aviation industry?
Flying was always my biggest dream.
What has been a highlight of your career so far?
The privilege to fly is the major highlight.
Have you faced any challenges throughout your career?
The biggest challenge has been to balance a pilot career and having a family.
Give us an overview of what you do on an average day in your role.
In pilot jobs, you don’t have any regular hours. It’s swing shift all the time. A “normal” day starts about an hour (1.5 hours in case of a long haul) before departure, meeting with the rest of the cockpit crew members to evaluate the overall weather situation (on the route), and the present and forecasted weather situation at the destination and the destination alternate(s).
The second thing is to order the required amount of fuel to be carried. After that, you gather the entire flight crew and go through the flight concerning the expected flight conditions needed for planning the inflight service.
During the flight, you will receive continuous updates on how everyone is experiencing the flight. Immediately after the flight, there will be a short debriefing of the entire flight crew – what went well, what didn’t work out and what went really bad. This protocol is only for future reference.
The problem, especially in large airlines, is that you rarely fly together with the same crew for a long time. Therefore things must be done mostly in the same manner all the time, to avoid confusion or chaos.
Pilot Jobs
Posted 6 days ago
Posted 9 days ago
Posted 1 day ago
What’s the best thing about working in Aviation?
One day is not like the other.
What are your goals and plans for the future?
To prioritise family and be a present grandfather.
What are your hopes for the future of the Aviation industry?
That it will persist and expand. I really feel sorry for old colleagues being laid off due to the pandemic. I’m convinced it will do so despite the climate challenge. I believe the aviation industry is well ahead of all other sectors in cutting CO2 emissions.
What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your career?
Can I really do it?
Enjoy this article?
Follow us and never miss an article or update from us.
What kind of skills/characteristics do you feel you need to have to do your job – do you think these will change in the future?
Most importantly, you need to be a calm person who can analyze problems with a clear mind.
Who is your role model?
My father, who also, was a pilot.
Can you give 3 tips for someone who wants to join the Aviation industry?
- It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.
- If you already have a family, think twice before committing yourself to this way of life.
- Always think “Safety first”.
