Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Mindy Lindheim Fly before you buy. Demonstration pilot Mindy Lindheim shows off aircraft to prospective customers. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying?
Actually I planned to get into aerospace medicine. However, the more I read about aerospace, the more interested in flying I became. No-one in my family flies but talking a neighbour, an airline pilot for Delta, really sparked my passion for aviation, so I went to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Tell us about your job?
I’m the regional sales director for Textron Aviation, selling brand new Cessna (the 172, 182, 206 and Caravan) and Beechcraft (Bonanza and Baron) aircraft. My job Flying CV includes going to airshows, flying the aircraft Mindy’s job includes demonstrating to customers and doing demonstration flights, Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft to and flying the aircraft together with someone potential customers. who’s interested in purchasing it. No day is Started current job: May 2016 the same and I get to interact with many Now flying: Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Cessna people. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, my sales 206, Beechcraft Baron, Beechcraft Bonanza CubCrafters Sport Cub territory includes Georgia, Alabama and Favourite aircraft: CubCrafters Sport Cub. Mississippi – I fly three to four times a week. “It’s my own plane so it’s definitely my These demo flights are all about fun and favourite!” showing the aircraft’s best qualities. With the Hours at job start: Approx. 300 Hours now: Approx. 1,200 Baron, for example, we show its speed, whereas with the 206, we focus on the short take-off and landing distances. We always talk about how a customer plans to use the aircraft and if it’s What’s been your favourite flight? feasible, that’s what we’ll show them. If they’ll mainly use it to visit Flying home the CubCrafters Sport Cub, a little two-seat their grandchildren one state away, for example, we’ll make that tailwheel aircraft my husband and I bought in April. It was just a trip together and look at the performance along the way. short flight, as our home is only a few airports away from where In other cases, we have a basic flight profile. However, I always we bought it, but it was the best. After selling aircraft for so many tailor this to the customer. With inexperienced pilots, I won’t go years, it’s awesome to finally be an aircraft owner myself! into detail about the avionics, I’ll focus on the aircraft’s easy handling qualities. Same goes for the flying itself. The customer sits And your favourite airfield? in the left seat and my coaching depends on their experience. With Our backyard! My husband is an air traffic controller working a student pilot, I might do the take-off and landing, whereas if towards getting his pilot licence, and we live in a hangar someone has lots of experience, I just guide them through the community south of Atlanta. We moved there in September 2019 aircraft’s features. and love it. Everyone here is an aircraft owner and the runway, a A demo pilot needs to be flexible, personal and outgoing. You grass strip, is literally our backyard. can be the world’s greatest pilot but if you’re a super shy person, you wouldn’t be right for this job. It’s all about communication. Do you get to fly much outside of work? The best part of my job is handing over the keys to the customer All the time! We regularly go for a spin in the evening. Leisure after a sale. They’re always so excited! flying is completely different from flying for work. I don’t need a customer or reason, I can just take our Cub up when I want.
“The best part of my job is handing over the keys”
What training did you have?
I have a single and multi-engine CPL and I’m a certified flight instructor. Textron Aviation offers internal training to become a demo pilot. You start by getting to know the aircraft, so you can answer any customer questions. Then you get comfortable with flying it in the right seat. Finally you do mock demos, with your colleagues pretending to be prospective customers. I first became a demo pilot on the 182 and then added the other aircraft. 18 | FLYER | October 2020
What’s the most valuable career advice you’ve had?
Don’t be afraid to move away for the right job. I’m from Florida and had to move to Chicago for my first position. If I’d stayed in my hometown I’d have been limited for a career in aviation. Follow Mindy’s adventures on Instagram: www.instagram.com/schmiiindy
