Flying High, with Plenty of Opportunity - Neel Khokhani

1
Flying High, with Plenty of Opportunity - Neel
Khokhani
2
Being in possession of an audacious career goal
or two is an admirable trait. In fact, many might
say that the only way to reach them is to have
them. It certainly worked for Neel Khokhani.
Since he was 16 years old he wanted to start his
own airline, and quickly decided that becoming a
pilot was the way to get there. I had my
pilots licence at age 16 I was flying before I
could drive a car, he says. By age 18, Khokhani
was a flight instructor, and by 22, he founded
his own flight training school, Soar Aviation.
3
Six years on and Soar Aviation has a 60 per cent
share of the flight training market in Australia,
training around 600 of the 800 pilots that
graduate in Australia each year. His timing
couldnt have been better theres currently a
global shortage of pilots. Of course, not
everyone is built to be a pilot. Pilots are
usually very passionate about what they do. They
dont usually wake up one day and decide to do
it, says Khokhani. Pilots need to be good with
science and mathematics, although Khokhani says
the level is achievable. You dont need to be a
rocket scientist as long as you understand the
concepts.
4
To ensure study is workable for those who are
keen on switching careers, Khokhanis flight
school has built a successful partnership with
Box Hill Tafe in Melbourne. Students do theory
after hours during the week at Box Hill Tafe and
fly on the weekend with Soar Aviation, he says.
Its been incredibly successful. Still,
regardless of when they study, for aspiring
commercial pilots theres plenty of work
required. There are seven exams involved in
gaining a commercial pilots licence, covering
everything from navigation to aerodynamics,
weather conditions and of course, the actual
practical skills.
5
As for afterwards? Khokhani says the airlines
prefer younger graduates, but that the general
aviation industry welcomes pilots of all ages.
For those dreaming of entering the major
airlines, Virgin Australia has several entry
streams for its pilot positions. The airline has
been running a pilot cadetship program since
2012, however, some pilots come directly from
civil or military backgrounds. Our civil
pilots could have experience with other airlines
smaller regional airlines flying turbo prop
aircraft or general aviation flying smaller
aircraft in more remote parts of Australia. We
also have a significant number of former air
force pilots, says Virgin Australia Boeing
737-800 check and training Captain Matt Taylor.
6
Taylor says that, in addition to technical
knowledge, a good commercial airline pilot wont
be afraid to speak up. The fact that an
individual has been accepted into a commercial
airline indicates that they are both motivated
and dedicated, so that is a good start. A good
commercial airline pilot is someone whos not
afraid to ask questions to seek out the
information they require. He says its a field
where continuous improvement is part of the
job. A good pilot is also someone who is able to
take the technical knowledge they have and apply
that knowledge in a practical way, Taylor says.
7
(No Transcript)
8
Reference Link Neel Khokhani - Soar Aviation

• Meet the 28-year-old who owns 45 planes
• Australias SOAR Aviation Boost Training Fleet
  with TECNAM
• Light touch helps aviator's ambitions take off
• Young Rich List wealth almost doubles to 41.2b