Flying is exhilarating. But flying for an airline in Central America? That’s an incredible adventure!
As a new “gringo” pilot with Tropic Air in Belize, I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, the company and my fellow pilots have made the transition smooth and welcoming. When I joined, I had a total of 14 hours logged in the C208EX Caravan—12 in a simulator and only 2 in actual flight—so it was clear I was a novice.
Starting out as a First Officer, I assumed I would sit in the right seat, manage the radios, and let the captain handle the flying and navigation. However, my first flight took an unexpected turn. The captain barely introduced himself and, with just a brief “hi,” he called the tower to announce our short VFR flight from Belize International (Goldson Tower) to San Pedro. I thought, “Okay, I’m not doing the radios, so I’ll just sit back, watch, and learn.” But as we taxied to the runway, the captain set takeoff power, and at 70 miles per hour, he lifted the nose off the ground. To my shock, just 10 seconds later, he said, “Your airplane,” and reclined his seat back!
We were at 150 feet, and I was completely unprepared for this sudden responsibility. Noticing my panic, he reassured me, saying, “You’re not going to kill anyone—just fly.” With his guidance, I managed to fly to San Pedro, where he communicated approach altitudes and coached me through landing. Although it was a little rough, I didn’t crash the plane!
By the end of my first week, I was involved in nearly every aspect of flying—from flight planning and managing radios to navigation, takeoffs, and landings. While my landings still aren’t as smooth as I’d like, I’ve learned that Tropic Air standards require us to be within 12 inches of the center of the runway, and the landing should be barely felt by passengers.
Here are a couple of memorable experiences I’ve had as a new commercial airline pilot:
Recently, while flying from Belize International to Cancun, we were about 30 minutes into our flight when I felt the plane shift slightly. Upon glancing back, I noticed a passenger standing at the rear of the cabin. To my disbelief, he was peeing into a water bottle—rather messily, I might add! Seriously, couldn’t he hold it for 30 minutes? You’d think passengers would be mindful of a 90-minute flight on a plane without a bathroom and take care of business before boarding. We arrived in Cancun to find a full bottle of urine left behind and a less-than-pleasant smell for our return flight to Belize.
A few days later, we were flying back from Cancun when we noticed a passenger who appeared agitated. Upon checking on him, he informed us that he had just undergone nose surgery and needed to be sure there was adequate oxygen. We explained that our flight would only reach 10,000 feet, where supplemental oxygen wasn’t necessary. I assured him that the air conditioning would provide plenty of airflow during the flight. He seemed to relax a bit, but as we prepared for takeoff, things took another turn.
As I added power to the engines, a commotion erupted among the passengers. I turned to see the same agitated passenger reaching for the exit door, insisting he needed water! I immediately aborted the takeoff, shut down the engine, and we rolled back to the gate. There, we politely told him that it might be best for him to stay in Cancun a little longer!
Through these experiences, I’m learning that being an airline pilot is about much more than just the mechanics of flying. It requires adaptability, excellent communication, and a keen awareness of the dynamics in the cabin. Each day brings new challenges and surprises, making my journey with Tropic Air all the more rewarding!