Taking Flight: A Complete Guide to Becoming a Professional Pilot

by Greg Bennett

Overview

"This isn't just a book—it's your preflight checklist for a life in the skies."

Whether you're a high school or college student, or someone considering a bold career change, Taking Flight is your complete source for real-world, unbiased, mentor-level career planning strategies, philosophical insights, and cautionary tales to help you make smart, informed decisions early in your journey. The aviation industry is exciting, but also complicated, costly, and filled with pitfalls and conflicting advice. Written by a veteran airline captain, instructor, and chief pilot, this is an inspiring and deeply practical guide created for people just like you—passionate, curious, and ready to turn their dream of flying into a lucrative and exciting career. Taking Flight is a one-of-a-kind resource offering the no-nonsense, straight-talk you need to demystify the industry and chart your course to the flight deck with clarity and confidence.

• Real advice—not hype—on some of the most debated topics for aspiring aviators
  
• A complete breakdown of pilot training options, testing, costs, and expectations, from your first lesson to the captain's seat
  
• Proven strategies to study smarter, remain disciplined, and motivated
  
• An insightful look at life as a professional pilot in passenger airlines, cargo, charter, and corporate aviation
  
• Effective strategies to build your qualifications, save money, stand out in the applicant pool, and grow into a confident aviation professional
  
• An introduction to the attitude and safety mindset of the professional pilot, preparing you for success in a crew environment from day one
  
• Interview and resume prep tailored specifically for pilots
  
• Supplemental information on many interesting and informative subjects, such as effective use of flight simulation, aircraft ownership, college degrees, and even a little aviation history

But Taking Flight doesn't stop with what's on the page. When you're ready to go deeper, it includes an extensive Web Index featuring over 300 links and QR codes to point you toward online aviation resources, apps, organizations, charities, flight planning and weather tools, equipment, forums, cadet programs, news, and so much more.

"Taking Flight is the mentor you didn't know you needed, the roadmap you wish you had sooner, and a book you'll return to again and again."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798999258922
Publisher:	Greg Bennett
Publication date:	09/22/2025
Pages:	548
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.19(d)

About the Author

Greg Bennett holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) with multiple type ratings in transport category jets and is presently employed as a Boeing 757 Captain for a prominent Part 121 international air carrier. His prior professional experience includes roles as a Part 119 Chief Pilot, Director of Training, Director of Safety, Flight Instructor, and Ground Instructor under Part 135, in addition to serving as a Captain and First Officer across three national and international Part 121 airlines. Furthermore, he has worked as a Flight and Simulator Instructor/Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Safety Officer under Parts 61 and 141. His extensive background includes flight and instructional experience on the Boeing 757, Bombardier Learjet 40 and 45, Cessna Citation XLS+, and the Canadair Regional Jet, with flights conducted in over a dozen countries across three continents. He has also overseen the management of various midsize and super midsize business jets, participated in training course development under Parts 61, 135, 141, and 142, and maintains current certification as a Flight Instructor and Advanced/Instrument Ground Instructor. Additionally, Mr. Bennett has voluntarily engaged in numerous national aviation safety and security initiatives in conjunction with Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Captain Bennett earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Beyond his aviation pursuits, he has held positions in operations management and other technical roles within several Fortune 500 companies. He has also volunteered his time as a facilitator and counselor at values-based leadership institutes for undergraduate college students at Butler University and UCLA. Originally from Swain County, North Carolina, he now resides in Germantown, Tennessee with his wife, Allison, and is the proud father of twins.