Preparing for our conversation

Your Pilot Life Story

A quiet space to reflect on the journey that brought you here.

“The stories we remember aren’t always about aeroplanes. They’re often about the people who chose to fly them.”

Every pilot has a story.

Thank you for taking the time to share yours.

The questions that follow aren’t designed to produce a script, rehearse the interview or catch you out. They simply help me understand your journey before we sit down together.

The more context you can provide, the more natural and enjoyable our conversation becomes. There are no right or wrong answers, and you certainly don’t need to answer every question if something doesn’t feel relevant.

Some guests write a few sentences. Others write several pages. Both are perfectly fine. Many of the most memorable moments on Pilot Life Podcast begin with something written here.

Thank you for trusting me with your story.

— Mark Goston

Prefer to work offline?

Download our 14-page workbook to read, print or make notes in your own time. When you are ready, please return your responses through the secure online form.

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Before we begin

A little about you

So I know whose story has arrived.

One

Before aviation

Every aviation journey begins somewhere.

Where did you grow up? What was life like before aviation became part of it?

Can you remember a person, aircraft, place or experience that made you think, “I’d love to do that one day”?

Was there a defining moment, or did the decision evolve over time? What did you imagine life as a pilot might be like?

Two

Learning to fly

Every pilot remembers their first lesson.

Tell me about the school, location, course or people involved—and anything you wish you had known when choosing.

Perhaps a first solo, a memorable instructor, a difficult lesson or a flight you can still picture clearly.

What made that period difficult, and what helped you keep going?

You might include a mistake, failed check, breakthrough or piece of advice that shaped the way you fly.

Three

Becoming a professional pilot

No aviation career follows exactly the same flight path.

How did you build experience, make contacts and decide what to do next?

If so, why did you choose it and what did teaching others reveal about flying—or about you? If not, what route did you take instead?

How did you find the opportunity? What did the selection process involve, and how did that first day feel?

What was harder than expected, what helped most, and what surprised you about becoming a professional pilot?

Four

Building a career

Aviation careers are rarely straight lines.

New aircraft, operators, countries, promotions, setbacks or unexpected opportunities are all part of the story.

What happened, and what stayed with you afterwards?

What did they teach you—through their words, their example or perhaps a difficult conversation?

How did you respond, and what might a newer pilot learn from that experience?

Five

Looking back

Experience changes how we see the journey.

What reassurance, warning or practical advice would have helped you then?

What should they do, what should they realistically expect, and how can they give themselves the best chance?

The milestones are visible. This is a chance to share the effort, uncertainty, luck or people behind them.

Six

Before we record

A little space for anything we haven’t covered.

Perhaps a story you’ve always wanted to tell, something you’ve rarely been asked, or a lesson that could help the next generation of pilots.

Please include anything you would prefer not to discuss, along with pronunciation notes, names, sensitive context or technical details that would help me prepare respectfully.

Your story is ready

Thank you.

I genuinely appreciate the time and thought you’ve invested in completing Your Pilot Life Story.

I read every response personally. Your answers help me prepare thoughtfully, so we can spend less time covering the obvious and more time exploring the experiences, lessons and moments that shaped your journey.

I hope these questions have also given you a moment to reflect on just how far you’ve come.

I look forward to sharing your story with the Pilot Life community.

Your answers will be shared privately with Mark.