Interview with a Pilot

Suk-Jae Kim has been flying around the world as a pilot since 2005. I met with the amiable pilot and podcaster to discuss aviation. In this exciting interview, he also answered questions that you have been eager to ask.

Some time ago, pilot Suk-Jae Kim, known on Instagram as Cockpitbuddy, visited my office at the Dortmund Airport. During an exciting live show on Instagram, he addressed your questions and mine, including topics like 'What can be done about fear of flying?' and 'What are turbulence?' Both were asked just as frequently as questions about a pilot's private life, training, and daily experiences. Understandably so - few jobs are as interesting as that of an airplane captain. For this reason, you can read the thrilling interview with a pilot here once again at your leisure.

In this section, pilot Suk-Jae Kim reveals what you have always wanted to know about the profession of a pilot.

Suk-Jae, what are the prerequisites for becoming a pilot, and how long does the training take?

'The prerequisites are not as tough as many think. You must be at least 21 years old and hold a medical examination certificate to obtain the MPL pilot license. A high school diploma or equivalent, technical knowledge, and a good understanding of mathematics and physics, as well as proficiency in English, are also prerequisites for the job.', "Pilot training is not entirely inexpensive. Once you have completed this, you must also complete what's known as a Type Rating to be qualified to fly a specific aircraft type. This takes about six months. Overall, the training to become a pilot takes about two to two and a half years. One must work diligently and learn a lot. But it's truly enjoyable!"

Do pilots have a fixed salary?

'That varies from airline to airline. For us, a certain number of flight hours are included in our contract. Any additional hours are considered overtime.'

How often are pilots tested for flight fitness?

'We must undergo a medical examination every year, during which various aspects are tested. Every few years, there is a larger assessment that includes an EEG, hearing test, and additional tests. Starting at age 60, medical examinations occur even biannually. Since the Germanwings incident, regular alcohol and drug tests have also been implemented.'

How are flight routes determined for pilots? Do you get to choose where the next trip goes, and how far in advance do you know where you're headed next?

'The flight routes depend on the aircraft types. I have been flying only the Boeing 747 for a year and a half, targeting many destinations in North America, Asia, and Africa. The routes I fly change quite frequently, and each flight is somewhat different, so it never gets boring-I also haven't seen everything yet. We receive the plan for the following month on the 27th of each month. I can request a tour in advance and specify up to four days on which I would like to have off. The remaining assignments depend on where my airline sends me.'

How many hours before the flight must pilots be at the airport?

'With my airline, we are required to be at the airport about 1.5 hours before long-haul flights, but at least one hour before departure. This hour is needed for preparations, as we have a lot to check, including the weather and conditions at the arrival airport.'

What is the most annoying aspect of your job?

'On long-haul flights, the most annoying thing is jet lag. The time difference can be exhausting for the body. On short-haul flights, you don't have that problem. Like any job, being a pilot has its pros and cons.'

Do pilots receive discounts when flying privately somewhere?

'As an airline employee, you can fly at very low prices, even with other airlines. This operates on a standby basis, meaning you can only fly cheaply if there are available seats on the flight. Only at the gate are we finally informed whether we can board or not. The spontaneity is not for everyone, but I enjoy it!'

How much time do pilots have after a flight at the destination? Do you get a hotel provided?

'On long-haul flights, we usually have either 24 or 48 hours on site. On short-haul flights, the stay is relatively short, allowing little time to see the destination. I've traveled a lot in Europe but have seen little of the cities. With the airline I fly with, we are provided with a hotel room, but with many smaller airlines, colleagues often have to find their own hotel.'

Is it possible to balance the job of a pilot with personal life?

'How often you are home or on the road varies by airline. There are airlines where you truly return home every evening. With my current airline, I am away about 10-15 days a month. You need a stable network and a functioning partnership that can withstand it. Most airlines also offer excellent part-time models to better balance work and family.'

Why did you personally choose to be a pilot?

'Aviation has been a true childhood dream of mine. I always knew I wanted to soar in the skies. I failed my first application, but then had another opportunity to prove myself and was able to fulfill my dream of aviation.'

Flying fascinates some people, while for others, it's just a means to an end, and for some, even a genuine horror story. Suk-Jae Kim clarifies the background and procedures of flying and shares tips on how to overcome the fear of flying.

A question many travelers ask is how turbulence actually occurs?

'In the end, turbulence is nothing more than air currents. The important thing is: No plane has ever crashed due to turbulence.','"Many people don't know that. If you simply remain seated with your seatbelt fastened, nothing will happen to you. We can even determine potential turbulence ahead of time based on weather maps before the flight. By the way, I have several podcast episodes about turbulence where I delve deeper into the topic and clarify many questions."

What does the autopilot take care of, and what does the pilot handle while flying?

'The takeoff of an aircraft is always carried out manually by the pilot. Landing is similar, except for a few exceptions. For example, in fog, the autopilot must land. In the air, it's up to the pilots to decide whether they want to let the autopilot fly the plane or not.'

Are flight attendants trained for medical emergencies?

'Yes, the cabin crew is very well trained for emergencies as they must take an annual first aid course. On board, we also have plenty of equipment ranging from defibrillators to various medications. Speaking of which: If you are unwell, I recommend refraining from flying.'

I've heard that even with a simple cold, one should rather avoid flying?

'If you have a cold, you should definitely see a doctor before the flight to check whether you can still manage to equalize the pressure. As a young pilot, I once flew with a cold, and my eardrum burst. The healing took forever. So if you don't feel well, it's better to skip it! Moreover, alcohol and medications act much stronger in the air.'

Many people suffer from fear of flying. What can be done to combat fear of flying?

'I am a coach for fear of flying and have already produced numerous podcast episodes and an eBook on the topic. In my view, fear of flying is a bad habit. Although the fear is real, the probability of dying in a plane crash is incredibly low. The mind is simply programmed incorrectly when it comes to fear of flying.','"But something can be done about it. First, you have to become aware of the situation and confront the actual probabilities. Then the reprogramming of the mind can begin. In my coaching sessions, I help people eliminate their fear of flying within just a few weeks. Mindset plays a significant role."

Why is the cabin light dimmed, and why must the window shades be opened during takeoff and landing?

'In case of an emergency, an airplane must be evacuated within 90 seconds. To ensure this can happen, the eyes need to adjust to the light conditions outside the aircraft. This is why the lights are turned off during takeoff and landing. As for the window shades, it's also about safety. Flight attendants need to constantly keep an eye on their surroundings and assess potential dangers.'

What happens if the landing gear does not deploy?

'An airplane has at least two systems that can extend the landing gear before landing. There is also a third emergency system. The tires are stored in such a way that you would only need to pull a pin for them to extend. If that still doesn't work, an aircraft can still land on its belly without any issues.'

Are pilots allowed to sleep in the cockpit?

'On long-haul flights, there are three of us in the cockpit, and we take turns sleeping. We have a small room with a bunk bed where we can sleep. On short-haul flights, we're only two in the cockpit, but we can still take turns sleeping. This is called napping and must be done while sitting. Furthermore, we can only do this when we are at cruising altitude and it is not busy.'

Why must phones be set to flight mode?

'In the past, there was concern that cellphone signals could interfere with radio communication. While this concern is unfounded, as there is technically no risk posed by the device, it is still prohibited to use a phone without flight mode. Many passengers do not want calls to be made on board, and you typically have no reception up there anyway.'

What is a black box?

'A black box has two functions: it records flight data and parameters such as altitude and speed on a hard drive, and it also contains the cockpit voice recorder, which records every conversation in the cockpit. No matter what we discuss up front, it's all recorded.'

And what do you talk about while flying?

'The phase when we fly below 10,000 feet is called a sterile cockpit, and during that time, we really only talk about flying. Also, colleagues in the cabin may only call the cockpit in emergencies during this phase. Above 10,000 feet, we then also share other topics, which always depend on which colleague is in the cockpit with us.'

What was your most beautiful experience on a flight?

'One of the most beautiful experiences I had was on a night flight from Vancouver. We had breathtaking northern lights, and the whole sky was full of them. I was on the verge of waking the entire plane because it was so magical.'

Have you ever experienced a truly embarrassing situation in the cockpit?

'Yes, there have been some. On my first flight, I also got to communicate for the first time, and I accidentally radioed the passenger cabin instead of the air traffic controllers. The reverse has happened to me as well. That resulted in a lot of applause from the colleagues on the ground. That was definitely a bit embarrassing.'

...And what was the most dangerous situation you have experienced so far?

'I haven't encountered any truly dangerous situations yet, and I've flown in all kinds of weather - for example, during the storm Kyrill. I've also flown with only one engine because I had to set an engine to idle, and nothing happened. An airplane can also fly just fine with only one engine. Even what is often referred to in the media as an emergency landing is one of the trained scenarios for us pilots.'

How do you feel when passengers clap?

'Well, I appreciate the applause, even if I rarely receive it nowadays, let alone hear it. It has to be quite loud for the pilots in the cockpit to hear it. At least: The flight attendants will inform us when passengers applaud after a flight.'

Thank you for granting us such fascinating insights into your professional life, Suk-Jae! I wish you and everyone always happy landings!