The Dual Nature of Piloting: Boredom and Excitement

Aviation is 99% boredom and 1% excitement. Gotta be careful on that transition though, and not get surprised when it’s 1% time. Any pilot can be bored at any time in their career, but you can't let it catch you by surprise when it's time to earn your pay.

As with most technologists with a demanding but repetitive job, pilots can experience a temporary weariness from the monotony. However, for many pilots, this weariness does not become a significant issue. Most pilots seem to enjoy their job and the excitement that comes with it.

Do Pilots Ever Get Bored of Flying?

According to various sources, including the AOPA, ABC News, LA Times, and EAA, many pilots do not get bored of flying. One pilot shared, "I remember it being exciting most of the time and pretty hard some of the time. I don’t remember ever being bored. I was never good enough to be bored."

The Job vs. Flying

It's important to distinguish between the excitement of flying and the less glamorous aspects of the job. Many pilots may not be bored of flying itself but may become bored with the job that involves flying. In an interview, a pilot who had achieved many of his goals shared, "I was not bored of flying. But I had exhausted most of the novelty and major learning. I had flown all over the globe in a number of aircraft...over seas, deserts, forests, mountains, and war and some very demanding and also some very relaxing conditions...I had gotten to run airshows and fly in them...I had gotten to pilot many helicopters, a few prop planes, a couple airliners for the military, and even got to pilot a couple military jets in aerobatics and low level demos."

Exhausting the Novelty of the Job

Once the novelty of the job has worn off, many pilots may find themselves looking for new challenges and experiences. As one pilot put it, "I had flown through severe turbulence, Saudi sandstorms, near active volcanoes under tree canopy and between cliffs over tropical rivers and flown nap of the earth...I had done close formation flying, aerial refueling at night, and shipboard landings in severe of the most challenging things I had done in my life."

Transitioning from Flying to Other Experiences

One former pilot, after achieving his Airline Transport Pilot's (ATP) license, decided to stop flying. He explained, "I got my ATP – Airline Transport Pilot’s license – which meant that I could now become a civilian airline pilot. But I did not because I thought that would prevent me from doing many other exciting things that I wanted to do and where I thought I could uniquely contribute."

He further elaborated, "I stopped flying completely because I like to do things either very well or not at all. IMO to be a good pilot requires constant practice and I could not pursue my new professions and also get the flight hours I would need to stay a very proficient pilot." This decision allowed him to explore other interests and opportunities.

Pilot Fatigue and Burnout

It's important to note that while pilots may not be bored of flying, they can become fatigued and even burnt out. Aviation authorities have established minimum crew duty and rest requirements to mitigate these issues. If a pilot is too tired, their attention drifts, making them less interested and attentive, which can be dangerous when flying. However, this is not the same as boredom.

Many pilots, including Paul Fiala, who accumulated over 22,000 flight hours, often have opinions about the nature of the job. Paul Fiala, the Chief Pilot at King Ranch, has said, "I also have had airline pilot friends who liked the lifestyle but told me that 'it is like driving a bus, only a lot harder.' These guys were maybe not as excited about flying as Paul."

Conclusion

While pilots may face periods of fatigue, they generally do not get bored of flying itself. Boredom often stems from the repetitive nature of the job rather than the act of flying. For many pilots, flying remains an exciting and fulfilling career, even as they transition to other challenges.

For those considering a career in aviation, understanding the dual nature of the job – the boredom and the excitement – can provide insight into what to expect. Whether you want the thrill of the open skies or the need for continuous challenge, a career as a pilot can be a rewarding and exhilarating experience.