Why I want to be a pilot

Someone asked me today at work why I would ever want to become a pilot. I sat there trying very hard to explain it to them. Not only did they not get it from my rambaling, but I couldn't quite put it in words.

So I'm sitting here thinking exactly what is it about being a pilot that is so attractive/addictive. I've tried to explain to my parents as well and I can't articulate the emotion and passion in become a pilot. So does anybody else have the same problem when trying to describe WHY you would ever want to become a pilot? Non aviation folks don't get it i've come to realize, which is understandable. Maybe i'm thinking about it too hard or just have a slow brain.

I'm the same way, I've yet to find an adequate explanation other than "it's all I've ever wanted to do" or "it beats working."

To fly jettzz brah!

I do it because it makes me happy. It's challenging and rewarding at the same time, which is satisfying. Adrenaline rush sometimes? I dunno, maybe I do it for the ladies and dollars.

Just tell them it's because you have the best damn views on the planet.

chicks

Because I'm addicted to the smell of mixed avgas, ashless dispersant oil, and upholstery soiled with 30+ years of BO, greasy skin, and rainwater that leaks in.

I tell everyone I've always wanted to be a pilot ever since I saw the cartoon Tale Spin at the ripe old age of 5 or so.

Because I am too cheap to travel to all these places on my own!

So I wake up already knowing what to wear for work.

BINGO

Because it actually makes me feel good about me. I feel accomplished.

A friend asked me the same question... So here was my response:

Me: "What is something that you are passionate about?"
Them: "soccer, I really love soccer"
Me: "well the way you feel about soccer is how I feel about flying"

Because I despise making my bed at home.

I get to wear a big watch and make lots of noise.

I love flying, getting above it all, getting to see what real blue sky looks like with out being out in the country all the time! LOVE IT.

Because we get the best office in the world! I knew it is what I wanted to do after my first flight.

I think you are over thinking this a bit too much

I wouldn't trade my job for a cubical even if it paid double, well maybe I would, but I still enjoy what I do. Flying is definitely work, there is no way around that, but the positives out weigh the negatives by a long shot.

Anytime someone ask me that, i just tell them "because i didnt want to work for a living." It started as a joke, but more and more i think its spot on. I really enjoy spending most of the day doing nothing and getting a paycheck. I guess the actual flying might be somewhat rewarding also.

For me I think its because it is the perfect mix of art and science. An aircraft is very technical, but also a beautiful thing. Same with the act of flying, there's a lot of science involved, but there's also an art form to it.

There's also the wow factor of it. Me and some other guy take a 50,000lb piece of metal, fill it with 50 people, fly it up into an environment in with I can't survive, yet is only a few inches away, and the next time we will touch the ground is about 1,000 miles away. Even more impressive if you're talking about long haul stuff. When I see a plane that I know is going long haul, I can't help but be amazed that the next time that thing will touch the ground it will be on another continent on the other side of the earth.