Interview for a 35-Year Experienced Pilot---Dan Grant
Interviewer: First of all, thank you so much for agreeing to share your story with us—35 years of flying experience is truly impressive! Looking back at this long journey, what first sparked your passion for becoming a pilot? Was there a specific moment or person that made you decide to pursue this career?
Dan: Thanks for the opportunity. When I was seven years old my Dad took me for a sight-seeing flight on a DC-9 over Niagara Falls. I was allowed to visit the cockpit. Once I saw it, I was intrigued. A couple of years later, I was able to fly to the UK on a Boeing 707. The Captain, allowed me to be in the cockpit for the landing in London. I was forever hooked. That Captain became a mentor for me and our paths crossed many times over my career including being offered a First Officer position on the Boeing 747, for a new startup airline.
Interviewer: You mentioned you’ve flown for 35 years, with the last 10 years on Airbus aircraft. Before transitioning to Airbus, which aircraft models did you fly, and how did that earlier experience shape your approach to flying the Airbus later on? For example, did the differences in flight control systems (like Boeing’s traditional control column vs. Airbus’s side stick) require you to adjust your operating habits significantly?
Dan: I have flown over 46 different aircraft types in that 35 year period. Basically from my first job on a Piper Navajo piston twin to a turboprop Cheyenne, to my first jet Captain HS125-700 at age 25. Later, moving into larger bizjets Challenger 601. A stint as a Civil Aviation Inspector with Transport Canada, allowed me to progress into direct Captain positions on the Convair 580, CL-604, F-28, and Boeing 727.
Interviewer: Flying Airbus for a decade must have given you deep insights into the aircraft’s design and performance. Are there any unique features or systems of Airbus that stood out to you, compared to the models you flew before? And how did you adapt to those differences at the beginning? For instance, Airbus’s fly-by-wire system with multiple control laws (normal, alternate, direct) is quite distinct—did that change your decision-making process during flights?
Dan: Well I always say the Airbus is flown quite different from all other aircraft, due to its design features FBW. In order to transition to it, I decided to let myself be fully open to its unique concepts.
Interviewer: Over 35 years, you must have encountered various flight scenarios—whether it’s smooth cruises, unexpected weather, or challenging landings. Is there a memorable flight story (that you’re comfortable sharing) that still sticks in your mind, and what did you learn from that experience? Did that lesson ever influence how you set up your home cockpit or approach flight simulation later?
Dan: Well, yes there were some interesting scenarios over the years, but nothing that really stands out except to respect the weather, which is constantly changing.
Interviewer: The aviation industry has changed a lot over 35 years—from technology advancements to safety standards. What’s the biggest change you’ve witnessed in your career, and how has it impacted your daily work as a pilot? Do you see any parallels between these real-world changes and the evolution of flight simulation technology, like the improved realism in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Dan: Well I’m retired now, but I would have to say that the advancements in pilot training aided by flight simulators of all kinds, and the relatively low experience levels brought about by the so-called pilot shortage, has proven the value of simulators. As for MSFS 2024 being an entirely new system with growing pains, I decided to let them work out the bugs and not be turned off by them.
Interviewer: We noticed you haven’t stopped engaging with aviation even after retirement—you’ve built your own home cockpit. That’s amazing! Could you share some key experiences from this process? For example, how did you balance authenticity (like 1:1 scale replicas of panels) with practicality (space, budget, or compatibility with sim software)? Did your real-world experience help you avoid common pitfalls, such as choosing the wrong interface systems or neglecting sound simulation?
Dan: Yes space, budget, and my personal preferences such as having tactile switches vs. VR, and focusing on the Airbus as it is the closest airliner to a PC environment were factors in my plan. I also choose hardware that has higher usability then those with switches and controls that are rarely used iniflight.
Interviewer: As someone who’s deeply involved in both real aviation and flight simulation, what’s your overall view of the flight simulation industry today? We’ve seen growth trends—like the prediction that flight simulator players might spend $2.6 billion on PC hardware upgrades in three years—and new games like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with features like career modes and better localization. Do you think these developments are making the hobby more accessible, or are there still barriers for new players?
Dan: The barriers you mention are focused on player experience and problems with new tech. I believe that while good preparation for flight you still need to have exposure to real airplanes, for a career. Getting more people involved in aviation is a good thing and the more that will improve the industry and fun as a whole.
Interviewer: For aspiring pilots who dream of a long career like yours, what advice would you give them? Is there a key mindset or skill that you think is essential for succeeding in this field? And do you think flight simulation can play a role in their training—for example, using tools like the Cessna 172 simulation cockpit to practice basic operations before real flights?
Dan: Things have changed a lot since I went through initial training some 50-odd years ago. My best advice is to keep at it through all the ups and downs you may encounter, and you will ultimately be successful in your career.
Interviewer: New brands like Rowsfire have entered the flight simulation hardware market—their products, such as the A107 overhead panel, focus on compatibility with mainstream sim modules (like Fenix, FlyByWire) and ease of setup via Mobiflight. Do you support the entry of such new players? And what suggestions do you have for them to better meet the needs of simmers? For example, should they prioritize replicating real aircraft systems (like armable spoiler levers you mentioned earlier), improving software compatibility, or offering modular designs for space-limited users?
Dan: Yes I support the players such as Rowsfire who are bringing quality representations at modest prices. Armable spoilers for the Airbus are more realistic than non, because again usage inflight is higher. Compatibility is favoured because of space and budget demands. Modular designs, allows simmers to add on or change and develop their own unique home sims.
Interviewer: Finally, when you draft your story, is there any aspect of your career (like teamwork with cabin crew, your favorite route, or even the little joys of flying) that you particularly want to highlight? We’d love to help convey those meaningful details to our audience. Also, would you like to add anything about how flight simulation has kept your connection to aviation alive in retirement?
Dan: Flying involves all those things you mention. Standard Operating Procedures, CRM, and EFB, enhance the Safety of the experience for everyone. Having home personal sims allows for learning and fun for all. Finally, the environment of flight may be enjoyed by more people than ever.
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