[imagesource: Instagram / @dutchpilotgirl]

If you had to ask somebody what superpower they want, many would choose flying.

The adventure, freedom, and seemingly unlimited opportunity that comes with soaring through the skies is something we can all relate to craving.

Perhaps that’s why young pilots on Instagram are making an absolute killing.

While some of them steer away from the title of influencer, they pretty much are, racking up followers interested in their job and their lifestyle, or those looking for advice on how to get in on all the action.

Search the hashtag #pilotsofinstagram and you will see what I mean.

Some of these pilots have more followers than Hollywood celebrities and could afford to quit their day jobs to become Instagram influencers, reports CNN.

Let’s meet a couple, shall we?

PilotPatrick, or Patrick Biedenkapp, has nearly 800 000 followers:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Patrick Biedenkapp | Captain (@pilotpatrick)

While PilotAmireh, or Anas Amireh, has just under half a million, as well as a popular YouTube channel:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PilotAmireh | A350 Captain (@pilotamireh)

With 80 000 Instagram followers, pilot Raymon Cohen, whose Instagram handle is PilotRaymon, believes pilot influencers are so popular because the cockpit is so inaccessible:

“People are not welcome in the cockpit anymore, so it’s like a big secret,” says Cohen.

“Now this [following pilots on Instagram] is one of the only ways people can see what’s happening.”

There might be something to that, but really, many followers of pilot Instagrammers are looking for information to get into aviation themselves.

It’s tempting to join them when you see an image like this:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PilotGanso (@pilotganso)

While the gender gap within the aviation industry is still rather gaping, there are a few female pilots who are trying to close it.

Michelle Gooris (seen in the image at the top of the page) is using her account, Dutch Pilot Girl, to inform around 267 000 of her followers about life in the sky, always aiming to be as informative as possible.

Likewise, Instagrammer Maria Fagerstrom, also known as Maria the Pilot, with around 524 000 followers, says that she finds most people are still genuinely surprised to see female pilots:

“But that’s only because we are a minority in the industry. Of all the pilots out there, 95% of them are male, and I would love to see that female ratio increase.

“I will continue to spread any message that brings people attention to that, because I think by regularly promoting flying as a career option to young girls we can close the gender gap — together.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maria | Aviation & Motivation (@mariathepilot)

Pilot influencers have to be extra careful about what they post online as airlines tend to have very strict social media guidelines and could suspend a pilot for life if they breach the rules.

It happened to a poor chap in China when someone he let into the cockpit posted the incriminating evidence online.

Generally, though, the pilots of Instagram just deal with all the usual influencer things.

Like finding it hard to manage their social media presence while maintaining their real lives, dealing with fans coming up to them in public, trying to be as authentic about their lavish lifestyles as possible, and losing followers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s a tough business, as Fagerstrom says:

“Because of the algorithm, it’s damaging if you’re not present every day and being consistent in your postings online, even on the days you’re not really up for it.

“It creates a feeling that you’re never good enough, never productive enough, and never creative enough.”

Not to mention how the female pilots get way more nasty comments and criticism compared to their male counterparts.

Here’s Cohen with some insight:

“Some of the girls get so much negativity,” he adds. “I don’t understand this. I almost never have negativity on my page.”

Typical.

Overall, though, the pilots of Instagram have a decent time inspiring people while they soar to new heights.

[source:cnn]