Dan Grant: 35 Years in Aviation—From Cockpits to Home Flight Simulators, a Lifelong Passion for Flying

What does 35 years in aviation mean? It’s the experience of piloting dozens of aircraft models, the perspective of a witness to industry-wide technological evolution, and an unwavering passion for flying that never fades. Today, we sit down with Dan Grant, a seasoned pilot with 35 years of experience, to hear his story—from the childhood moment that sparked his love for flying to how he continues his aviation journey through flight simulation after retirement.

Dan’s connection to aviation began with a sightseeing flight at the age of seven. His father took him on a DC-9 over Niagara Falls, and he was even allowed to step into the cockpit. That single moment of curiosity ignited a lifelong dream of flying. A few years later, when he flew to the UK on a Boeing 707, the captain let him stay in the cockpit during the landing in London—a special experience that “hooked him on flying for good.”

Even more fortuitously, that Boeing 707 captain later became his mentor, guiding him at key points in his career—including offering him a First Officer position on a Boeing 747 for a new startup airline. “Those two childhood trips to the cockpit opened a door for me,” Dan recalled. “I knew right then that I wanted to spend my life flying.”

Dan’s 35-year career boasts an impressive resume: he has piloted over 46 different aircraft models. He started with the Piper Navajo (a twin-piston plane) and the Cheyenne (a turboprop), then became a captain for the first time at 25, flying the HS125-700 business jet. Later, he moved to larger aircraft like the Challenger 601, Convair 580, CL-604, F-28, and Boeing 727—with his final decade dedicated to Airbus models.

“The Airbus flies very differently from other planes, especially because of its Fly-By-Wire (FBW) system,” Dan noted when talking about his transition to Airbus. “I told myself I had to keep an open mind and fully embrace its unique design concepts to master it.” His time as a Civil Aviation Inspector at Transport Canada also deepened his understanding of flight safety and standard procedures—experience that became his “foundation” for piloting various aircraft later on.

Retirement didn’t pull Dan away from aviation—instead, he built his own home flight simulator. When planning it, he skillfully balanced “authenticity” with “practicality”: he prioritized Airbus-compatible hardware (as Airbus models are best suited for PC-based simulation), chose tactile physical switches over VR, and avoided rarely used controls to fit his space, budget, and needs.

“A home simulator isn’t just a hobby for me—it’s how I stay connected to aviation,” Dan said. “Here, I can relive the joy of flying, learn new operations through simulation software, and even share tips with other flight sim enthusiasts.”

As someone well-versed in both real-world aviation and flight simulation, Dan offers unique insights into industry changes. He believes simulators now play a crucial role in pilot training—especially amid a pilot shortage and lower experience levels among new pilots, making simulators an essential tool for skill-building. For new software like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, he advises patience: “New systems always have growing pains. Wait for developers to fix the bugs, and it will deliver a much better experience.”

Dan also supports new brands entering the flight simulation hardware market, like Rowsfire: “They offer quality products at reasonable prices, which is great for enthusiasts.” He also shared advice for these brands: prioritize compatibility with mainstream sim modules (e.g., Fenix, FlyByWire), focus on realistic features like armable spoiler levers, and offer modular designs to suit users with limited space.

For young people dreaming of a career in aviation, Dan’s advice is simple yet powerful: “A pilot’s career has its ups and downs, but if you stick with it, you’ll eventually achieve your goals.” He reflected on his own initial training over 50 years ago: “Times change, technology advances, but a love for flying and respect for professionalism will always be the most important things.”

Dan’s story is a heartfelt tribute to a life in aviation—from childhood curiosity to career-long dedication, and even post-retirement passion. If you also have stories related to aviation or flight simulation—whether they’re about piloting experiences, home simulator builds, or thoughts on the industry—we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us, and let your voice be heard!

Dan Grant’s story is filled with genuine insights into aviation and flight simulation—from the professional details of piloting 46 aircraft models to his advice for new brands in the industry, every part deserves a close read.

If you want a more immersive feel for the conversational tone of the interview, or wish to access Dan’s full remarks on flight techniques and home cockpit building, we have attached the original Q&A transcript of this interview below for your in-depth reference: “Unedited! Full Original Interview with Dan Grant on Aviation”