Takeoff to touchdown is far more than just adeparture and arrival. In the world of aviation, it embodies something deeper: safety, responsibility, and discipline.
Being an airline pilot isn’t simply about flying planes; it’s about shouldering the immense responsibility of hundreds of lives on board. It’s a calling, not just a profession—one that demands unwavering focus, capability, and heart. Getting passengers safely from one destination to another isn’t just a routine task; it’s a lifelong commitment built on trust and duty, certainly more than just takeoff and touchdown.
In celebration of World Pilot’s Day on Sunday, Muhammad Saiful Bahari, a 34-year-old senior first officer, offers a rare glimpse into his journey through the skies, sharing personal insights and reflections on life in the cockpit.
A Uniform Of Pride
For Saiful Bahari, being an airline pilot is more than just a job—it’s an identity. Every time he dons his uniform, it fills him with a deep sense of pride.
“It gives me the greatest joy to wear the uniform. It’s not a fashion statement; you have to earn it, and I wear it proudly,” he says. “I share that pride with thousands of other aviators from different walks of life. In the cockpit, backgrounds fade away. When we’re in uniform, we are uniform—no you, no me, no individuality.”
Behind Every Flight & Before Takeoff : Physical and Mental Preparation Is Key
Saiful shared that the life of a pilot demands more than just showing up for a flight—it begins long before takeoff. Preparation is crucial.
A pilot’s job starts with proper rest to ensure full mental sharpness. Managing health, updating tools, and staying informed about the latest procedures are daily responsibilities.
“We follow the principle of ‘Man, Machine, Environment’—checking our own fitness, the aircraft’s readiness, and the operational conditions,” Saiful explains. “Ninety percent of the work happens on the ground through careful planning and risk assessment. Once in the air, it’s about safe and precise execution. During takeoff and landings, we are transitioning from a phase to another, at high speeds. Not only we have to make decisions within a split-second, we also have to be accurate, combined with handling skills. This is where experience comes in valuable. Every second counts.”
Every decision, he adds, comes down to three vital checks: Is it safe? Is it legal? Is it economical? All three must align.
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The Golden Rules of Flying
The golden rules of flying, he notes, are simple yet sacred: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
But with irregular schedules and minimal rest, how do pilots manage?
“Your mental sharpness relies heavily on being well-rested,” Saiful says. “It’s ideal, but our roster challenges the body. One day you’re sleeping at 9 pm to wake up at 3 am for a 6 am duty. Other days, you’re still at the departure gate at 9 pm, only finishing duty at 10 the next morning. So, first on the list is always proper rest. We spend most of our days off-ground and when we do step on it, most of our time is spent sleeping to acclimatise to our schedule. I’m now a married man, and so I spend my day off listening to wife unload her tales and adventures when I was away. However, the company I’m employed with has amazing roster. I work 15 days a month and earn 4 times more than I did back home in Malaysia. Another 15 days are spent cooking, reading, working out and cafe hunting with the wife. Good work-life balance”. He quips.
Debunking Myths: Big Jets vs. Small Planes
Another common question to address: are smaller airplanes safer than big jets?
“In terms of safety, the size of the plane doesn’t play a significant role. Big jets are more advanced and have greater system redundancies. Every aircraft has its own operating procedures, and as long as pilots don’t deviate from them, it will be a safe flight.”
A Family of Uniform : How Dreams Took Flight
But how did a young boy’s dream of flying an airplane take root?
Saiful credits his family for inspiring his journey into aviation.
“I was raised by a navy man and a nurse—both wore uniforms in their professions and displayed incredible professionalism and discipline,” he shares.
“One of my brothers is a pilot, and he’s the reason I pursued this career. I grew up admiring him and wanting to do what he does. He guided me from flight school all the way to my first job — this is my fourth airline.
Flight Simulator
“My brother and I, we spent a lot of time at our uncle’s place whenever our dad went sailing. My uncle, who’s now a retired airforce general had a flight simulator on his computer. He would let us play to keep us kids occupied. That game somehow drove my brother to become a pilot, which in turn, inspired me.”
In 2023, fate aligned in a special way.
“That year, my brother and I ended up in the same airline. We wore the same lanyard, the same uniforms — and I even had the chance to be in the same cockpit as him. I was the observer pilot while he was the captain, co-piloted by a very good friend of ours. It was a memorable flight,” Saiful recalls fondly.
“Unfortunately, the airline didn’t last long, and we found ourselves scattered across borders again. But I look forward to the day when we’ll share the same cockpit once more. It must happen—at least once in this lifetime.”
The Tough Reality : A Career of Resilience
As the conversation wrapped up, Saiful reflected on the mindset needed to thrive in aviation.
“You must be willing to accept comments and feedback—then learn from them, regardless of who they come from. That’s where growth and knowledge happen, both inside and outside of the cockpit,” he emphasized. “Communication skills are underrated in this profession. There’s an art to it.” – NMH
Attiqah Mohd is a writer for New Malaysia Herald and a seasoned PR Specialist with six years of experience in public relations, branding, and media relations across various industries. Beyond her corporate expertise, she is a creative storyteller, painter, poet as well as passionate humanitarian and active volunteer with MERCY Malaysia.
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