<p>My name is Arjan Kalsi. I am 41 years young and currently a B737 Captain for Virgin Australia Airlines</p>
<p><strong>What did you want to be when you were growing up?</strong><br />
I fell in love with aeroplanes at about the age of 5. My Dad gave me a bright red rubber band powered model aeroplane and from there I was totally hooked. During my teen years I discovered Heavy Metal guitar…well let’s just say I chose the right career path and saved the world a lot of pain!</p>
<p><img alt="Arjan in front of plane" src="/getasset/3257723a-40b2-4f1a-b347-335d42452f4a/" /></p>
<p><strong>How did you get started in aviation?</strong><br />
Pilots generally choose the path of least resistance and I knew the path to becoming a pilot didn’t require a university education so after completing high school with grades that only my goldfish would be proud of, I went to the local flying school and enrolled. Flying was a lot more affordable back then. With some help from my parents plus working part time, week by week I put myself through most of my basic training. A few years went by and I had achieved my Basic Commercial License. This was a big moment for me because I proved to myself that I could do anything. I then chose the path of becoming an Instructor and while working as a casual flight instructor I continued my training in attaining my Multi-Engine and Instrument rating as well as my Air Transport Pilots License. “The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave” and with that in mind I moved to Kenya where I started flying Humanitarian Aid operations throughout East and West Africa as well as parts of the Middle East. I was flying B200 Super King Air Aircraft which must be one of the nicest aircraft I’ve had the pleasure of flying. It was real bush flying where you survived by using common-sense and thinking outside the box. A few years later I returned to Australia and got a job flying Dash 8’s as a Maritime Patrol Pilot under contract for the Australian Customs. Pretty much the same as the Coast Guard in America patrolling the country boarders. A few years went by and I was accepted into my current airline as B737 First officer. As a first officer I did eventually enrol into University and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation which I might add would have made my former high school teachers proud.</p>
<p><strong>Who is your biggest influencer in your industry and why? </strong><br />
My colleagues. You gain a certain comradery amongst pilots. Aviation is about working together to achieve a common goal, whether in the flight deck or on the ground you have to work as a team. Everyone has something to contribute no matter what level of experience they have.</p>
<p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your job?</strong><br />
No two days are the same. Instilling trust in my crew and passengers. As a Captain you must Instil trust. By doing so your crew and passengers feel safe. When people trust you and feel safe, they follow you. That’s leadership. For the younger aspiring pilots remember Airline flying is only one corner of the spectrum. If you want adventure it’s out there. There are so many other disciplines but it’s up to you to take that chance. That takes courage!</p>
<p><img alt="Arjan in Cockpit" src="/getasset/e7105b40-89e8-4377-9d48-ba51cde2e9a7/" /></p>
<p><strong>What do you like least about your job?</strong><br />
Commuting. This is something I chose to do nobody forced me into it. Most pilots will be faced with this dilemma at some time in their Airline career. Unlike other parts of the world here In Australia you have to pay for your commuting flights even if your employed by the airline. So, it can get rather expensive. You must consider the pros n cons when it comes to commuting and everybody’s situation is different. In my situation it makes more sense however, do think it over before you commit.</p>
<p><strong>What piece of advice would you give your younger self starting a career in aviation?</strong><br />
Forget the destination and enjoy the journey! I still to this day fly light aircraft for pleasure and all I hear from the young pilots is how quickly they want to get into the airlines. It’s great to have a goal but enjoy the moment because one day the moment will be gone. It was no different when I was learning to fly but I’m so glad my path took me the way it did. The experiences I had through all my flying shaped who I am today not only as a Captain but an individual. My general aviation flying took me to more interesting places then any airline job could. The only difference between a young pilot and myself is time and effort. So, enjoy the journey the destination will arrive.</p>
<p><strong>Where do you see yourself in 10 years?</strong><br />
Definitely still smiling! New aircraft type, new airline, new flying discipline, living in a different city, first officer or captain doesn’t really matter but enjoying the journey!</p>
<p><strong>Can you tell us a little bit about what training you have done in the past and how it has helped you get where you are?</strong><br />
In my first job I qualified as a Flight Instructor. This definitely helped pave the way for future training positions which I attained with my subsequent employment. Training and Instructing is a real privilege and when done well the results are so rewarding. We have all at some stage been inspired by great instructors and unfortunately you occasionally come across the polar opposite.</p>
<p><img alt="Plane" src="/getasset/cc18bae5-4360-486d-bfc2-432e01bb73f9/" /></p>
<p><strong>What qualifications did you require to start your career?</strong><br />
You have to be driven, persistent, have a positive attitude, able to take criticism and learn from your mistakes, be honest and humble, respect you colleagues, embrace challenges, listen, maybe some knowledge in maths, English, geography and physics.</p>
<p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong><br />
Generally, it’s an early morning start 3:30 wake up for a 5am sign on for a 6am departure. Meet my F/O in the briefing room where we precede to solve all the worlds problems. Once we complete our planning were faced with the first big challenge of the day, which coffee shop is open! Eventually we find our aircraft and get it ready. We meet the rest of the crew and brief together. A typical day is generally 2-4 sectors with an overnight or return to home base. Captain and First officer share the sectors 50-50. Usually you fly 4-5 days in a row before days off. No job is perfect, but I believe what you put into your job is what you’ll get out of it.</p>
<p><strong> What challenges do you face in your role?</strong><br />
Avoiding complaisance. Airline flying is very routine so maintaining adherence to standard operating procedures is paramount. Also, there is a heavy reliance on automation in airliners which does degrade ones flying skills so regular manual manipulation of the aircraft in suitable conditions is something I promote as well as maintain currency on light aircraft.</p>
<p><strong>What’s your next career move?</strong><br />
The world is going through a very difficult time now with the current pandemic. Aviation has been greatly affected and like so many pilots worldwide I’m currently stood down. There are uncertain times ahead for many including myself, but the one thing that is for certain is to maintain a positive outlook. You cannot control all the situations, but you can control how you react to the situation. This may be the great reset the world needs. A time to focus on what really is important and do those things that you kept putting off. This will eventually pass, and people will start to travel again. Be it as it may after all this, I may be flying for another company on a different aircraft in a different position living in a different city. With every door that closes another one opens. So, I’m embracing my next challenge and looking forward to my next adventure wherever it may be. Perhaps the world needs one more Heavy Metal guitarist! Blue skies and favourable winds to all!</p>
<p> </p>
<hr />
<p> </p>
<p><strong>If you are interested in contributing content to our Flight Jobs Careers Hub then please contact <a href="mailto:amy.mckenzie@flightglobal.com?subject=Content%20Contribution%20-%20Flight%20Jobs">amy.mckenzie@flightglobal.com</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>What did you want to be when you were growing up?</strong><br />
I fell in love with aeroplanes at about the age of 5. My Dad gave me a bright red rubber band powered model aeroplane and from there I was totally hooked. During my teen years I discovered Heavy Metal guitar…well let’s just say I chose the right career path and saved the world a lot of pain!</p>
<p><img alt="Arjan in front of plane" src="/getasset/3257723a-40b2-4f1a-b347-335d42452f4a/" /></p>
<p><strong>How did you get started in aviation?</strong><br />
Pilots generally choose the path of least resistance and I knew the path to becoming a pilot didn’t require a university education so after completing high school with grades that only my goldfish would be proud of, I went to the local flying school and enrolled. Flying was a lot more affordable back then. With some help from my parents plus working part time, week by week I put myself through most of my basic training. A few years went by and I had achieved my Basic Commercial License. This was a big moment for me because I proved to myself that I could do anything. I then chose the path of becoming an Instructor and while working as a casual flight instructor I continued my training in attaining my Multi-Engine and Instrument rating as well as my Air Transport Pilots License. “The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave” and with that in mind I moved to Kenya where I started flying Humanitarian Aid operations throughout East and West Africa as well as parts of the Middle East. I was flying B200 Super King Air Aircraft which must be one of the nicest aircraft I’ve had the pleasure of flying. It was real bush flying where you survived by using common-sense and thinking outside the box. A few years later I returned to Australia and got a job flying Dash 8’s as a Maritime Patrol Pilot under contract for the Australian Customs. Pretty much the same as the Coast Guard in America patrolling the country boarders. A few years went by and I was accepted into my current airline as B737 First officer. As a first officer I did eventually enrol into University and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation which I might add would have made my former high school teachers proud.</p>
<p><strong>Who is your biggest influencer in your industry and why? </strong><br />
My colleagues. You gain a certain comradery amongst pilots. Aviation is about working together to achieve a common goal, whether in the flight deck or on the ground you have to work as a team. Everyone has something to contribute no matter what level of experience they have.</p>
<p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your job?</strong><br />
No two days are the same. Instilling trust in my crew and passengers. As a Captain you must Instil trust. By doing so your crew and passengers feel safe. When people trust you and feel safe, they follow you. That’s leadership. For the younger aspiring pilots remember Airline flying is only one corner of the spectrum. If you want adventure it’s out there. There are so many other disciplines but it’s up to you to take that chance. That takes courage!</p>
<p><img alt="Arjan in Cockpit" src="/getasset/e7105b40-89e8-4377-9d48-ba51cde2e9a7/" /></p>
<p><strong>What do you like least about your job?</strong><br />
Commuting. This is something I chose to do nobody forced me into it. Most pilots will be faced with this dilemma at some time in their Airline career. Unlike other parts of the world here In Australia you have to pay for your commuting flights even if your employed by the airline. So, it can get rather expensive. You must consider the pros n cons when it comes to commuting and everybody’s situation is different. In my situation it makes more sense however, do think it over before you commit.</p>
<p><strong>What piece of advice would you give your younger self starting a career in aviation?</strong><br />
Forget the destination and enjoy the journey! I still to this day fly light aircraft for pleasure and all I hear from the young pilots is how quickly they want to get into the airlines. It’s great to have a goal but enjoy the moment because one day the moment will be gone. It was no different when I was learning to fly but I’m so glad my path took me the way it did. The experiences I had through all my flying shaped who I am today not only as a Captain but an individual. My general aviation flying took me to more interesting places then any airline job could. The only difference between a young pilot and myself is time and effort. So, enjoy the journey the destination will arrive.</p>
<p><strong>Where do you see yourself in 10 years?</strong><br />
Definitely still smiling! New aircraft type, new airline, new flying discipline, living in a different city, first officer or captain doesn’t really matter but enjoying the journey!</p>
<p><strong>Can you tell us a little bit about what training you have done in the past and how it has helped you get where you are?</strong><br />
In my first job I qualified as a Flight Instructor. This definitely helped pave the way for future training positions which I attained with my subsequent employment. Training and Instructing is a real privilege and when done well the results are so rewarding. We have all at some stage been inspired by great instructors and unfortunately you occasionally come across the polar opposite.</p>
<p><img alt="Plane" src="/getasset/cc18bae5-4360-486d-bfc2-432e01bb73f9/" /></p>
<p><strong>What qualifications did you require to start your career?</strong><br />
You have to be driven, persistent, have a positive attitude, able to take criticism and learn from your mistakes, be honest and humble, respect you colleagues, embrace challenges, listen, maybe some knowledge in maths, English, geography and physics.</p>
<p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong><br />
Generally, it’s an early morning start 3:30 wake up for a 5am sign on for a 6am departure. Meet my F/O in the briefing room where we precede to solve all the worlds problems. Once we complete our planning were faced with the first big challenge of the day, which coffee shop is open! Eventually we find our aircraft and get it ready. We meet the rest of the crew and brief together. A typical day is generally 2-4 sectors with an overnight or return to home base. Captain and First officer share the sectors 50-50. Usually you fly 4-5 days in a row before days off. No job is perfect, but I believe what you put into your job is what you’ll get out of it.</p>
<p><strong> What challenges do you face in your role?</strong><br />
Avoiding complaisance. Airline flying is very routine so maintaining adherence to standard operating procedures is paramount. Also, there is a heavy reliance on automation in airliners which does degrade ones flying skills so regular manual manipulation of the aircraft in suitable conditions is something I promote as well as maintain currency on light aircraft.</p>
<p><strong>What’s your next career move?</strong><br />
The world is going through a very difficult time now with the current pandemic. Aviation has been greatly affected and like so many pilots worldwide I’m currently stood down. There are uncertain times ahead for many including myself, but the one thing that is for certain is to maintain a positive outlook. You cannot control all the situations, but you can control how you react to the situation. This may be the great reset the world needs. A time to focus on what really is important and do those things that you kept putting off. This will eventually pass, and people will start to travel again. Be it as it may after all this, I may be flying for another company on a different aircraft in a different position living in a different city. With every door that closes another one opens. So, I’m embracing my next challenge and looking forward to my next adventure wherever it may be. Perhaps the world needs one more Heavy Metal guitarist! Blue skies and favourable winds to all!</p>
<p> </p>
<hr />
<p> </p>
<p><strong>If you are interested in contributing content to our Flight Jobs Careers Hub then please contact <a href="mailto:amy.mckenzie@flightglobal.com?subject=Content%20Contribution%20-%20Flight%20Jobs">amy.mckenzie@flightglobal.com</a>.</strong></p>