Pilot Laxmi: "Do not lose hope and keep yourself current"

1.What is your name? What country are you from? What aircraft are you type rated on?

I am First Officer Laxmi Shailesh Joshi, I was born and brought up in Mumbai, INDIA. I am type rated on Airbus (319/320/321) & Boeing 777 - 300ER, Boeing 777 - 200LR

2.When did you know you wanted to become a pilot?

Becoming a pilot was my childhood dream and as I grew older I could not think about doing anything else than this. I was this kid who would always get so excited looking at the airplanes in the sky and I would jump out of excitement thinking about flying a plane in the near future. I would say I was very lucky to have the support of my father who always helped me in achieving my goals.

3.Who or what was your inspiration to become a pilot?

I’ve always travelled a lot since my childhood days and I was always fascinated whenever I would see a pilot at the airport or in an aircraft. So after completing my schooling, I was determined to start my flying career and get my wings.

4.Do you have any mentors or anyone you look up to in the aviation community? Who are they?

I have always been a big fan of Ratan Tata, whose father J.R.D Tata was the founder of Air India. Ratan Tata is a pioneer who millions like me look up to for his vision, ideology, and his charitable work throughout this pandemic.

5.Tell us about your journey to the cockpit.

My journey to the cockpit has been very exciting. After completion of my CPL training, I was working as a Flight Instructor in New Zealand. I did flight instructing for two years and then in the year 2016, I joined the Airbus fleet in the Airline named Air India which is the National Carrier of India. After just one year of flying the Airbus, I was upgraded on the Boeing 777 fleet which is my current fleet.

6.How has COVID-19 affected your life as a pilot?

It has affected my way of travelling to airports and in and around the aircrafts. We have to carry our own safety kit with all the essentials like masks, sanitizers, sprays, etc. Flying has also been reduced quite a lot so I have to do a thorough route preparation before every flight to keep myself up to date.

7.What is your message to pilots who may be grounded due to COVID-19?

My message is to not lose hope and always stay connected and keep yourself current. As the opportunities will always come and you should be ready to grab them. This current situation of uncertainty about the jobs will surely change. So, stay strong, stay together & keep yourself updated with the important topics in the aviation industry.

8.What is your message to aspiring pilots?

My message to all the aspiring pilots is ""when everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. So to all the lovely girls and boys out there no matter how many hurdles you have to face in life to achieve your goals, never give up on your dreams as in the end all the effort and your hard work will be worth it.