Pilot Mostafa Eid (Instagram A/c: moe_eid ),  was born in Egypt but has spent the majority of his life overseas. Currently residing in Spain, he is a German citizen. He spent fifteen years in the IT industry as a Senior Technical Product Manager at Microsoft. He made the decision to fully dedicate himself to his childhood ambition of becoming an airline pilot in 2025.

Q.) Why do you want to be a pilot?

Pilot Mostafa: The stories my father used to tell me as a child may have given me the aviation bug. He used to bring home aircraft posters that I hung all over my room, and he told me various tales about his time as a jet-engine mechanic in the Egyptian Air Force and his fighter pilot colleagues. My desire to be able to fly and have my own wings was sparked by the several flight simulators I played on my first computer.

Fun fact: Although most pilots claim that watching “Top Gun” inspired them to become pilots, I didn’t watch it until I was in my 20s.

Q.) How do you prepare yourself for ATPL?

Pilot Mostafa: It takes a lot of discipline to become an airline pilot. Every student pilot is different, but I personally adhere to a set schedule. Our day at the school consists of practical flying in the morning and theoretical lessons in the evening. I try to review today what we studied yesterday, and tomorrow I’ll review what we studied today. On the weekends, if I have time, I’ll complete 100–150 questions from the question bank. My major concentration is on answering questions related to the week’s topic and creating flash cards on subjects that I find challenging.

Discipline and consistency are keys.

Q.) Tell us about your very first flight as a trainee pilot.

Pilot Mostafa: At first, it was nerve-racking. Being a passenger in an airliner is entirely different than flying a little GA aircraft; you can feel every bump in the air. However, you are in charge at the same time, and I felt like I belonged here. I still love the feeling I had when I initially pushed back on the stick to climb.

Additionally, having a fantastic instructor is crucial, and I was fortunate to have a top-notch CFI.

Q.)  As a student pilot, what challenges do you encounter? What was your approach to them?

Pilot Mostafa: Managing your flight training while learning a lot of knowledge in a short amount of time is one of the hardest challenges. Strong self-control and a structured schedule are necessary. Because aviation also requires mental and physical strength, I maintain my physical health, stay organized, and go over teachings every day. Discipline and consistency enable me to manage the pressure.

Q.) What steps did you take to start your profession as a trainee pilot?

Pilot Mostafa: To be sure aviation was really for me and that I didn’t have any motion sickness or a fear of flying, I began with a trial flight. I was also fortunate to have friends who work as professional pilots, who gave me an explanation of the two primary routes to take: integrated and modular. Before doing anything else, I advise anyone considering a career in aviation to focus on those two key areas. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on social media.

I didn’t select the first choice while picking a flight school. Before making my choice, I spoke with a number of schools and evaluated their aircraft, expenses, facilities, and training approaches.

I also made financial arrangements. Becoming a pilot is not cheap; in addition to the training fee, there are other expenses including exam fees, medical examinations, and occasionally retakes. Being ready gave me the courage to begin this trip and allowed me to concentrate on my training instead of worrying about that aspect.

Q.) What aspect of the aviation sector appeals to you?

Pilot Mostafa: Well, that’s a good question. If it is up to me and I could only select from my heart, I would suggest Aerial Firefighting or Air Force Logistics, both of which directly serve and protect communities. I would love to fly those large logistics planes. But those are typically in the military, so perhaps they wouldn’t accept an older man like me 🙂

I am particularly drawn to surveillance and cargo operations in civil aviation because flying directly contributes to safety and vital services. I also find airline operations to be quite appealing since they provide a meaningful and fulfilling way to link people, cultures, and economies worldwide.

For me, flying is about having a purpose, being accountable, and having an influence.

Q.) What are the most crucial things a trainee pilot should keep in mind during their flight training?

Pilot Mostafa: Safety is the top priority. Maintain discipline, learn and adhere to protocols, and never rush. Speak up and let your instructor know if something makes you feel uneasy or uncertain. They are qualified experts that are there to protect and mentor you.

In aviation, confidence is crucial, but humility and sound judgment are even more important.

“Going around is always an option”.

Q.) What advice would you provide to the student pilot?

Pilot Mostafa: Even when you’re not flying, practice chair-flying and repeat procedures at home. The amount of information can easily become overwhelming, so maintain discipline and don’t put off your theory study.

In order to comprehend your future career, study the theory, but in order to ace the tests, practice question banks. Understanding the format of exam questions is just as crucial as knowing the subject matter.

By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)

Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan