Traveling has become one of the biggest phenomena of the modern age, and a lot of that is thanks to the aviation industry. With the rise of low-cost carriers and an increased number of affordable flight routes worldwide, traveling across the globe is easier than ever. Those looking into a career in aviation are fortunate, as global trends show that the tourism and travel industry will only continue to grow in the coming years. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) found that travel and tourism grew 3.9% in 2018, outpacing global GDP growth by 0.7%. WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara noted that the travel and tourism industry is likely to contribute more than 100 million jobs globally over the next ten years. If you’d like to ride the wave of this trend, then here are a few things you need to do to start a career in the aviation industry.

Be a Good Communicator

Communication skills can make or break a pilot’s career, and in the aviation industry, they take it very seriously. Communicating calmly and clearly is essential for the job, as linguist Dominique Estival has found that over a thousand deaths in plane crashes can be attributed to communication misunderstandings. Good command of aviation English is essential for success in the job, whether you’re on the plane or part of the ground crew.

Know the Requirements

The industry itself covers a wide variety of jobs, from ground crew and maintenance to flight attendants to pilots, so it’s important that you have a clear idea of what these jobs entail and where you’d like your career to go. For example, many people assume that if you wear glasses you can’t become a pilot, but the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) standards state that corrective lenses are allowed as long as they achieve 20/20 vision, according to an article by Aviation JobNet. Researching to dispel this and other myths about work in the aviation industry will help you have a better idea of your career goals.

Teamwork is the Key

It doesn’t just take one person to fly a plane, and if you work in the aviation industry you may find yourself meeting and working with a variety of different personalities and skillsets. Being a team player is essential in having a successful career in aviation, both as on the ground crew and in the air as a pilot. While movies may paint pilots as lone wolves in the sky, the reality is that much of their work relies on being able to coordinate well and effectively with dozens of other people. The same goes for mechanics and those who work on the ground, who are all essential in making sure that a flight takes off and lands safely and efficiently. In fact, Flight Safety Australia (FSA) claims that teamwork is essential in high-risk occupations like aviation. Learning to deal with different personalities and share skills in times of crisis is an essential skill.

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