Unusual professions: fighter pilot on the For HR channel

This profession is about people who view our planet from above. Many people consider them as a sort of “heavenly beings.” Although their profession may seem romantic, fighter pilots say that it is a very difficult and responsible job that requires special knowledge, skills, and maximum attention. This job is associated with great risk, and there is no room for error.

On the For HR channel, Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot Dmytro Shkarevsky shared about his “unconventional” profession and shared life hacks on how to master it.

“I believe that the most important thing in the profession of a fighter pilot should be a desire to develop. If a pilot tries to improve his skills with every flight, go further, and self-improve, then there will be no equal to him. In my opinion, to become the master of the sky, you need to know the aircraft perfectly, love your profession, and have a quick reaction to any unpredictable events,” – said Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot Dmytro Shkarevsky.

Training to become a fighter pilot takes four years. To be admitted to the program, one must have perfect health, be between 155 and 185 cm tall, and weigh no more than 85 kg. The competition is high, and the requirements are strict. Prospective students must pass medical exams, psychological tests, and physical fitness tests. At this stage, the majority of candidates are eliminated. When asked about whether women are trained as fighter pilots and whether there are successful female fighter pilots, Dmitro replied:

“I know that this is practiced, and many women pilot fighter jets, but there are fewer of them in Ukraine. In my opinion, out of ten male students, for example, six or seven may become professional fighter pilots. If we talk about women, this number is much lower. The most important thing in this profession is being able to make a decision in a matter of seconds that will determine not only your life but also the lives of others. It’s all possible, but it may be more challenging for women, and that’s just my personal opinion,”  – says Dmytro.

The video on the For HR channel discusses how much fighter pilots earn, what professional illnesses they may have, and Dmitro’s scariest flight during a full-scale invasion that changed his life wach here.