Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Erika Armstrong Although she has lost her medical in a car accident, Erika Armstrong continues to work in aviation by teaching the next generation of pilots. Interview Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying?
I became a pilot by accident! Working two jobs while attending university, I still couldn’t pay my rent so I was looking for a third job. The front desk of an FBO at the Flying Cloud Airport had some weird hours that fitted into my schedule. I started learning about business aviation and finally took a flying lesson to see what it was all about. One lesson was all it took to get me hooked!
“One lesson was all it took to get me hooked!”
I’m the VP of Business Development and Director of Instructional Design at Advanced Aircrew Academy. Currently, I’m developing eLearning pilot training curriculums for Now flying A desk… “I got hit by a Flying CV Part 91 and 135 flight departments. drunk driver March 2019 and lost my After many years of flying as a medical. It’s a reminder to all the I also teach new studies coming into the Captain for airline and business jet up-and-coming pilots to always have a aviation industry, such as Aircraft Systems and operations, author of the book A Chick in back-up plan: your life can be turned Propulsion, Aviation Fundamentals, and the Cockpit, Erika Armstrong has turned to upside down in a split second.” Commercial Operations. The best part of my developing pilot training curriculums at Favourite aircraft Boeing 727-200. “I love it Advanced Aircrew Academy and teaching at because it’s a pilot’s airplane. The perfect job is years after teaching a student, they send MSU Denver’s Aerospace and Aviation balance between performance and passenger me a picture of their first day on a flying job! Department. mobility.” Many of my students are adults. I love Started current job November 2016 Hours Approx. 6,000 having a three-tour veteran next to an 18-year-old beginner in my classes, they have so much to teach each other. The industry is facing a shortage and inspiring the next generation is key. mountains like this. Thankfully I was the co-pilot and running the We used to be able to hang out at GA airports, until 9/11 locked radios. I was distracted by the beauty, my situational awareness was everyone out. I now use social media to share the spirit of aviation: zero! I eventually moved to Colorado because of that day. 500,000 aviation enthusiasts are following A Chick in the Cockpit. The students who’ll end up as commercial pilots don’t always get And your favourite airfield? straight ‘A’s. Being a pilot is about having a deeper connection with While flying corporate jets, I had access to 4,000 airports, your surroundings. Self-discipline, being able to work with any including some private airports no one else gets to see. Out of all personality, and humour are important. Flying is the easy part. of them, Telluride is my favourite. I used to fly there almost Learning 1,400 pages of the FAR/AIM is what makes most every weekend. pilots wash out. It’s not as glamorous as it seems, so you must deeply love it. You can’t separate being a pilot from the rest of How much do you miss flying? your life: you literally become a pilot. It’s a daily heartache, especially since my house is on the arrival into Denver Airport, with constant reminders flying overhead. I What training did you have? know I could probably lie my way through a flight physical because I went from PPL, Instrument rating, CPL, Commercial MultiI don’t appear to have any issues. However, I put respect for safety Engine to Airline Transport Pilot. I also received my Seaplane over everything else. In the crash, I lost most of my hearing in my rating, Aerobatic endorsement, and Flight Engineer. I got my first left ear. Also, that ear can’t adjust to pressure anymore and the 600 hours by volunteering for the Red Cross. Afterwards, I flew alignment responsible for equilibrium and determining our Part 135 charter, air ambulance and Part 91 corporate jobs for three-dimensional situation was thrown off track. Aviation is about 10 years. When I had 2,200 hours, I got hired as a Flight 360°… I can still function as a human, but not as a pilot. Engineer at Northwest Airlines/Champion Air. What’s been your favourite flight?
The first time I flew to Telluride, Colorado. Flying between mountain tops, and when I saw Telluride’s Box Canyon, I couldn’t pull my eyes away. I grew up in Minnesota and had never seen 18 | FLYER | February 2022
What is your most valuable career advice?
I t’s a tough, long path to the sky, so don’t be afraid to find a mentor and ask for help. Networking is very important. Register with LinkedIn and connect with local pilots who are willing to share their story.
Main: Chancey Bush for Evergreen Newspapers
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