Pilot Career Guidance & Mentoring
One to One mentoring & career guidance
Ready to take control of your aviation career with expert guidance and personalised mentoring?
Expert Guidance for Every Stage of Your Pilot Career
At Flight Deck Wingman, we bring years of industry expertise and comprehensive knowledge across all facets of pilot careers. Our commitment is reflected in the provision of career guidance and mentoring support, where a friendly and knowledgeable Wingman is available to discuss virtually any topic related to your pilot journey. If you have some questions about your career that you just can’t seem to find the answers to, or there are some topics that you would like to chat about in confidence – we’re here to help.
Inside You'll Find:
- One-to-one career guidance/mentoring via telephone or video
- Support from a current airline pilot, recruiter and former military fast-jet pilot
- Tailored guidance for your stage of career
- Mentoring when you need someone to talk to
- A confidential service from someone you can trust
- Your Wingman is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England) trained
What's Included?
Career Guidance
Gain clarity and support from a current airline pilot, recruiter and former military fast-jet pilot.
We know that there are lots of different questions that you might have and that every pilot’s circumstances are different. But whether you have a licensing enquiry, are transitioning from military to civilian flying, have a question about how to effectively prepare for a job application or just need someone to talk to, we will help you find the answers you’re looking for!
Who’s it for?
Anyone! Here are some of the common topics/areas that we help with:
- Navigating type-rating or bond decisions.
- Career changes e.g. later in life.
- Returning to flying after a break or redundancy.
- Managing the jobs market and timing your next move.
- Handling a training setback, such as a failed line check or base training difficulty.
- Considering a move to a new airline or fleet.
- Leaving the Armed Forces and making the transition to the airlines.
- And much more…
How it works
- Book your telephone or video call in blocks of 30 minutes.
- You will have the opportunity to detail the topics you’d like to discuss or the challenges that you are facing when making your booking.
- Your Wingman will review this ahead of your call to ensure that we tailor our support to your individual needs and circumstances.
- You Wingman will call you at your booked appointment time.
Career Mentoring
You can use this service at any time and we always assure you of complete confidentiality.¹ What’s more, all of our advisors are Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England) trained and will speak to you in total confidence about any topic or issues that you might be facing.
Who’s it for?
Anyone! Here are some of the common topics/areas that we help with:
- Disciplinary processes.
- Training issues e.g. failed line training.
- Bullying or harassment.
- Confidence issues.
- And much more…
How it works
- Book your telephone or video call in blocks of 30 minutes.
- You will have the opportunity to detail the topics you’d like to discuss or the challenges that you are facing when making your booking.
- Your Wingman will review this ahead of your call to ensure that we tailor our support to your individual needs and circumstances.
- You Wingman will call you at your booked appointment time.
¹ If we believe you may be a danger to yourself or anyone else, we have a duty of care to you and will support you to find appropriate professional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or you’re an experienced pilot that wants to chat something through in confidence, we’re here to help.
Is this pilot mentoring and career guidance confidential?
Yes – confidentiality is at the heart of this service. Whatever you’re facing, you can talk it through openly, knowing your Wingman will listen without judgement and guide you in the way that’s right for your own circumstances. The only exception, as you’d expect, is if we ever believed you or someone else was at risk of harm, in which case we have a duty of care to help you find the right professional support.
What kind of topics do pilots normally want to discuss?
All sorts, every pilot’s situation is different, and no topic is too big or too small. We’ve supported pilots through disciplinary processes, failed line checks and base training setbacks, career crossroads, confidence knocks, and simply needing an impartial ear from someone who understands the industry. You’ll have the chance to outline your own circumstances when you book, and everything is treated with complete discretion.
I've had a setback in line training or a check - what should I do?
First, know that you’re not alone: failed line checks, base training difficulties and check setbacks happen to capable pilots, and they’re rarely the end of the road. The most useful thing is often to talk it through calmly with someone impartial who understands the process: what tends to lie behind these situations, how to approach a resit or a conversation with your training department, and how to rebuild your confidence. We’ve supported many pilots through exactly this, in complete confidence.
I'm thinking about moving airline - is now the right time, and how do I approach it?
It’s a big decision, and a common one to want a sounding board for. We can help you weigh things up objectively: the state of the jobs market, what a move might mean for your seniority and lifestyle, and how to time and prepare an application so you’re in the strongest position. There’s no pressure and no agenda; just honest, experienced guidance so you can make the call that’s right for you and your circumstances.
Do I need to be facing a problem to book, or can I use this just for guidance?
Not at all – you’re very welcome to book simply for guidance or a sounding board. Plenty of pilots use this service when things are going well but they’ve reached a decision point: weighing up a move, planning their next step, or just wanting an experienced perspective. You don’t need to be in difficulty to benefit from talking things through with someone who’s been there.
How does mentoring differ from career guidance?
They overlap, and both are booked in the same way – the difference is really in focus. Career guidance tends to be about decisions and direction: training routes, choosing an ATO, moving airline, or planning your next step. Mentoring is more about support through a challenge you’re navigating – a setback, a confidence knock, or simply needing someone impartial to talk to. If you’re not sure which fits, don’t worry; just tell us what’s on your mind when you book and we’ll take it from there.