My dad is a remarkable type of man. A man everyone would love to have as a father. His simplicity and gentility is exhilarating.
Please come with me as my sister Chelsea shares her recent interview with my dad, aswell as unveil his versatile and erudite personality to you all.
“ Growing up I had so many questions about his career. He was a pilot for 25 years so you can only imagine all the amazing experiences he has been through. I’ve decided to share these amazing questions and answers I did with my dad a few months ago. I hope you enjoy reading his answers as much as I enjoyed asking him these questions including all the myths about pilots 🙊😄
As you read his answers, you’ll realise what a beautiful and rare soul he his.
Some people don’t believe in heroes but they haven’t met my dad!
You can find this intriguing piece on my sister’s blog below ” – http://www.nikkyosblog.com
CAPTAIN OLAKUNLE OMOTOSHO FLYING EXPERIENCE
- Is flying an airplane actual work, or do you just activate autopilot and that’s it?
Flying is actual work, however after take-off and at safe Altitude at about 1000 Ft above ground, you can engage the Auto-Pilot. The Aircraft now flies itself but you are still in control of the aircraft. This is because the aircraft does whatever you tell it to do. Turn right, Turn left, Climb, Descend etc. also in an Emergency you disengage the Auto-Pilot and fly the Aeroplane manually.
- Why did you choose the Pilot Profession?
Because I have a passion for it.
- What are your top 5 countries you’ve been to and why?
U.S.A, Britain, France, Germany, Brazil. Simply because they are very exciting countries.
- Have you ever come close to crashing a plane?
Yes I have, during training flight, I had fuel starvation and I was able to glide the aircraft and land on the runway after engine failure.
- How bad is it if I don’t switch off airplane mode during a flight?
It is very bad because the signals from your phone interferes with the signals being received by the Aircraft Avionics and which can lead to the aircraft missing its way due to wrong signals and which can also lead to a crash.
- How does it feel to be responsible for so many lives?
It is a big responsibility, it gives you the fulfilment that you are doing a special job because a single mistake by the Pilot (human error) can lead to loss of lives.
- Do Pilots nap while in the air?
Yes, if the flight is a long flight of more than eight hours. However we have another set of Pilots. After eight hours, the first set can go and nap while the second set take over the flying business.
- Do Pilots ever get scared?
No, as a well trained professional, you never get scared. Even when there is an emergency, you remain calm and make sure the aircraft is safe and also is safely landed.
- Do Captains and First Officers eat different meals to avoid food poisoning?
Captain and first officers eat different meals to avoid food poisoning. Yes, that’s right.
- Are Pilots overworked and tired? How many hours can a Pilot fly a day?
No, if the proper procedure is followed. You are not supposed to fly more than eight hours a day.
- Is flying safe/ Are bigger planes safer than smaller planes?
Flying is safe and infact, it is the safest means of transportation. Both big and the small planes are safe.
- How much training do Pilots receive?
Pilots undergo lots of trainings and infact they undergo simulator training every six months and they must pass because if not, they are grounded. Also they must pass their medical check-up every year. Again they are grounded if they fail.
- How does the auto-pilot work? Do all planes use this?
Not all planes have autopilot but most planes have them. The autopilot is a special equipment designed to engage and fly the aircraft. However it is the pilot that controls the autopilot by the information fed into this special equipment for example, if the input is right-turn, it turns right, if it is left turn, it turns left and so on.
- What are the advantages of being a Pilot?
There is no special advantage at that. It is just another profession. However it gives you the opportunity to probably travel round the world and also to stay at the best hotels in the world. The profession can also make you safety conscious because everything about flying is safety.
- How long did you fly for?
I was in service for 25 years.
