Pilot Felix Gottwald (Instagram A/c: felixgottwald), who resides in Germany, has been working with Lufthansa for seventeen years. Prior to switching to the Boeing 747-400 and 747-8, on which he is currently certified to fly as a Senior First Officer, he flew the A320 family for three years, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11F from 2011 to 2021, and the Boeing 777F until 2023. On long-haul flights with three or more pilots, he can sit in the left seat and make all the essential choices until the pilot in command returns, even if he is still a First Officer by rank. In this role, he will also closely collaborate with the cabin crew on all matters pertaining to the flight and his passengers’ welfare.
He takes sightseeing flights in a Cessna 172 over his hometown of Dresden, Germany, when he isn’t flying the large aircraft. It’s a fantastic method for him to see his hometown throughout the year and practice his manual flying skills.
In addition to his active flying career, he made significant investments in aviation photography. This year, he conducted a few helicopter photo shoots over the airports in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Cape Town. He thoroughly loved capturing the distinctive vistas he saw there. He uses Facebook and Instagram for social media, which is a terrific way to share his love of aviation with others, especially the pictures and videos he takes from the cockpit.
Q.) How did you begin your piloting career?
Pilot Felix: I had never been trained to fly until I enrolled in flight school. As a child, I truly enjoyed being at the airport and watching planes, but I had no idea how anything worked. Fortunately, I was accepted into the esteemed Lufthansa Flight School in Bremen, Germany, which at the time trained all Lufthansa pilots. After a year of theoretical study, we were able to fly the twin-propeller Piper Cheyenne back in Germany and the Beech Bonanza F33A aircraft out of Phoenix in the Arizona desert. I was enrolled in the Airbus A320 simulator training a few weeks after clearing all flight school exams. I reached a large jet cockpit in two years, despite the challenging learning curve!
Q.) What steps did you take last year to increase your piloting knowledge?
Pilot Felix: As a pilot, you are always learning new things. Regulations are always changing, as are new technical systems on the ground or in airplanes. In addition to the minimum of five simulator missions we complete annually, we also regularly receive training on emergency protocols, crew resource management (CRM), firefighting, and first aid. Our company also regularly briefs and updates us on the most recent advancements. Thus, learning never truly ends! You may be certain that you will never know everything if you add to your flying experience by learning something new on each flight.
Q.) Describe your accomplishment.
Pilot Felix: My biggest success is bringing all my passengers securely from A to B in a comfortable manner. It sounds extremely straightforward and uninteresting, but every flight involves so many different people and stakeholders that my biggest delight in flying is to finish a trip uneventfully! As a photographer I am particularly delighted to have gone back to the business after having a sabbatical for several years and to even have created my own aviation calendar for 2026 with some of my finest photos.
Q.) Which career would you have chosen if you weren’t a pilot?
Pilot Felix: Prior to wanting to become a pilot, I thought about being an air traffic controller. It’s not unusual for controllers and pilots to be interested in each other’s work and apply for both positions at the same time. I also thought about flying for the military, but I have no regrets about flying for airlines. But I’ll be a gardener and work with plants and nature in my second life!
Q.) What do you think is the most important component of a successful career?
Pilot Felix: With commitment and diligence, anyone can succeed in any career within certain bounds. Everybody starts from a different place in terms of their upbringing, educational opportunities, financial status, etc. You won’t always achieve your objectives. Sometimes you’re merely in the wrong place at the wrong moment due to bad luck. However, you can succeed if you get back up and put in more effort. I have seen that it is possible to fail and learn from your mistakes in order to improve the following time. This is an entrepreneurial way of thinking. Overall, though, you must find joy and passion in your work. You won’t be able to be the best unless you do.
Q.) What is the first thing you think about when you board a plane to fly?
Pilot Felix: When I board my plane, the first thing that comes to mind is that I now have responsibility. Responsibility not just for the crew and our customers, but also for a very costly piece of machinery. Since so many people depend on me at work, it is my responsibility to give it my all every day.
As a passenger I usually check for my surroundings, so I know how to get out in an emergency – pilot are always prepared for the worse (even if it never happens) and are always a few steps ahead of everything so as not to be surprised when something unforeseen happens.
Q.) What is the most important thing for passengers to remember while taking a flight?
Pilot Felix: Unsettling footage of passengers misbehaving are becoming more and more common on social media. Although flying is not as luxurious as it once was, I still enjoy seeing people travel “in style.” Put on a nice shirt, maybe some shoes, and make an effort to be a decent person. Sitting in a cabin allows people to be physically close to one another for extended periods of time, which makes life easier for everyone if you are polite, understanding, and respectful of one another. Please be mindful of the incredibly intricate procedure that goes into each flight and the numerous individuals that contribute to its success. The fact that a massive aircraft like my Boeing 747 can transport hundreds of people around the globe is quite amazing. And even if things don’t go according to plan, flying is still an exciting kind of transportation that we should treasure.
Aside from that, it’s always a good idea to come prepared. How will I spend the next several hours comfortably? Where is my gate? Where is my seat? In addition, what is the temperature like where I’m going, and should I pack a jacket?
Q.) What guidance would you give the aspiring pilots?
Pilot Felix: For new pilots, life can be challenging. You might not be able to get your ideal job straight now because hour building is costly. First and foremost, be practical. Can you afford flying school? What would you do if something goes wrong? Make a backup plan. It might not be your fault because you might have a health problem or the economy simply takes a few years to improve. However, will you be able to sustain yourself? What other courses would you be more willing to pursue? Work on these subjects initially.
Second, have fun at flight school! This period will mold you and your flying career for the rest of your life, but it is a lot of work, not always simple, and you will make mistakes! Even though you might feel under pressure, it’s okay to enjoy yourself! Ask your instructor to organize a mission to the airstrip you’ve always wanted to visit or perhaps do an additional mission to practice upset recoveries. Do something you enjoy. Enjoy Flying.
By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)
Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan
