10 good reasons to upskill and stay current now!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many pilots might be experiencing a lack of proficiency. Even pilots with thousands of hours in a particular aircraft have the potential to get rusty. Make no mistake about it, it’s vital to stay proficient during these times, and it’s worth the effort because when you do get back to flying, you want to have as little rust as possible, so do what you can to keep your skills current and sharp.

Want reasons to upskill? Here are 10!

1. Avoid letting your type rating expire by renewing your license yearly will save you money

Expired type ratings are costly to renew. You should maintain a current IR at all times and not let it lapse because the offer of a job can come round quickly and unexpectedly and, as you are required to have a current IR in order to commence a type rating, you’re unlikely to get the job without it.

2. By keeping your skills and knowledge up, you’ll be ready for airline interviews if you are looking for a job.

Do yourself a favor and take some online training, and be sure to get out your manuals and review them as often as you can so that you stay sharp. Check the website of the airline where you want to apply. On the career page, you can find the vacancies and the details of how to apply for this specific position. Check the requirements and make sure you understand all the information they need for your application.

3. Keeping your flying and theoretical skills up to date will keep your motivation high and boost your confidence

Lack of confidence can influence how you feel about your career ambitions. Upskilling doesn’t just increase your skills, it also boosts your confidence, keeping you motivated and focused on achieving your goals.

4. Making good use of your time off by learning new skills will reduce your anxiety related to the current situation of the airline industry

Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to everyday experiences. For pilots, exposure to such stress can result in cockpit performance issues. By learning new skills, you’ll reduce anxiety while boosting your knowledge and potential for new job opportunities.

5. You’ll be better positioned for the industry rebound

Now is a good time to bone up on extra skill sets. By buckling down on your education and gaining additional certificates and ratings, you’ll better position yourself for when commercial air travel returns to normal.

As a complement to the courses already offered by CAE to maintain license validity, CAE also offers the Professional Pilot Development Program, a virtual program developed and conducted by CAE instructors to enable you to continue to develop as a professional pilot. Take advantage of not being in the cockpit and use this time to focus on your professional development, and rise to a new level of competency in preparation for your return to service.

6. The more skills you have, the better your CV, and the more likely you will land a job!

It’s simple. More skills equal more job opportunities. And remember, when it comes to CVs, less is more. Try to fit your full CV on one page only and focus on skills and experience relevant to the position you apply to. Remember that you can use the Resume Builder on Airside and be ready for opportunities.

7. Joining courses like the CAE Professional Pilot Development Program will keep you connected to aviation and aviation colleagues.

By taking courses and being around aviation colleagues you’ll be first to know about which airlines are recruiting. So stay the course, start a plan, and take action now to advance your aviation career.

In the CAE Professional Pilot Development Program, you can benefit from participating in conversations and listening to the exchange of ideas from active airline pilots of all different experience levels, as well as other aviation professionals such as air traffic controllers and cabin crew. Watch and learn from interesting videos and participate in engaging discussions. Listen to real-life experiences and how different airlines approach their flight operations specific to their environment and culture.

8. Several course modules are compatible with a day job

Even if you are currently working during the day, you can increase your skills by studying online. There are several online courses available to help pilots maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight. For example, at the CAE Professional Pilot Development Program, the theoretical modules are organized in virtual and dynamic lessons providing you with the flexibility to organize your time and make it compatible with your job.

9. You’ll know what to do in an emergency

Refresh your memory and stay current on the specific procedures for the airplane and area in which you fly. This way, when you do get to fly, you’ll be prepared and know exactly what to do in an emergency.

10. Learn from experienced pilots

If you have just become a pilot and you are a recent graduate, now is a great time to learn from more experienced pilots and gain the skills and self-confidence that prepares you for your first job as a pilot and differentiates you from other candidates. CAE offers a wide range of courses to help you upskill and stay current during the COVID-19 pandemic.

📖 If you’re looking to maintain and further develop your technical and non-technical pilot skills as you prepare to return to flight operations, check out CAE Professional Pilot Development Program.

📖 And if you’re looking to maintain your license validity, check out other CAE Airline Pilot Training here.

Over the long term, the fundamentals that drive the demand for air travel are still in place. By upskilling during the pandemic, you can awaken a new sense of purpose, grow your network, and get much closer to your goals.