Dreaming of the flight deck?

Thinking of a career as a pilot? Charné Steyn, First Officer on Global Airways’ Airbus A320 fleet and pilot for LIFT with 16 years’ aviation experience, says good decision-making and strong teamwork are just as important as technical flying skills. 

When asked what skills a pilot requires, Steyn says people rarely see the psychological side of the job.

“Good decision-making, situational awareness, staying calm under pressure and working well with your crew are just as important as flying the aircraft,” she says. She also lists balance, persistence, humility and attention to detail as critical personality traits.  

“Aviation is a team sport,” she says. “Bringing together the flying, procedures and coordination so everything works seamlessly is incredibly rewarding. Some of the toughest days of my career are also my favourite memories because I shared them with exceptional crews.

“I feel women are generally very situationally aware and have good emotional intelligence – both valuable qualities in this line of work. But strong organisational skills are a must too. There’s a significant amount of preparation behind the scenes between the flight deck crew and about 10 other departments and service providers. Being able to follow procedures, be organised and multitask are other attributes that would be advantageous.”  

A woman’s resilience 

Steyun says that it would be remiss of her not to include resilience as a required attribute for being a pilot, especially as a woman.

“My experience has been overwhelmingly positive. For the most part, I’m simply a pilot doing my job. Like many women in traditionally male-dominated industries, I’ve occasionally encountered inappropriate behaviour or people who were uncomfortable with me because I am a woman. Those moments have been the exception rather than the rule, and over time I’ve learnt either to address them professionally or recognise they often reflect the other person rather than me.

“The overwhelming majority of my colleagues, especially everyone at LIFT and Global Airways, are supportive, inclusive, respectful and an absolute joy to work with. Still, I list being resilient as a key quality, because apart from women being less common in this field, becoming a pilot in general is not a walk in the park. It requires persistence and sacrifice.”

A day in the life of… 

Steyn says that as a First Officer, she works alongside the Captain to operate the aircraft safely and efficiently.

“Every flight starts long before passengers board. We review weather, aircraft performance, operational information and regulations, complete all the necessary checks and calculations, and prepare the aircraft for departure. Once everyone is on board, our focus shifts to getting everyone to their destination safely, comfortably and on time. 

“No two days are exactly the same. Some mornings begin before sunrise, while others finish late at night, but a typical day involves two or three flights.” 

Practical advice

Her advice for aspiring pilots includes something as basic as doing the research.

“It can save you thousands of rands and a lot of frustration.  Reach out to women who are in the industry, attend aviation events and make use of the online communities that are happy to share advice and experience.

“One of my biggest early challenges was financial. I worked while training, completed my licences part-time and relied on a student loan to make it possible. Large loans can become a big liability so I always maintained strict discipline with my finances.”

She says that several funding options exist, including student loans: “Not many people are aware that Standard Bank offers student loans for commercial pilot training, and that made a huge difference for me.”

She advises applicants to find a mentor and trust those who are supportive of their dreams.

“My parents always believed in me, and that gave me a strong foundation. Early in my career I was also fortunate to meet several women in aviation who became mentors and role models. One in particular was the Head of Training who interviewed me for my first commercial flying job. I don’t think she realises how much of an impact she had in contributing to the positive aspects of my career.”

“Most importantly, don’t let the journey intimidate you. Every pilot starts exactly where you are and if you don’t like something, address it professionally or find an alternate route to keep at it.

“It took me three years to complete my Commercial Pilot Licence, after which I spent ten years flying at a regional airline. I freelanced for two years, during which I flew as a passenger on LIFT, with my dog. I was intrigued enough to apply to work at Global Airways to fly for LIFT, and the rest, as they say, is history. I joined Global Airways a few months later in pursuit of a better quality of life and I found it!”