Politics / Germany

Gabriella Gombkötő has fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a pilot, allowing her to travel to new countries and experience the freedom of flying. She currently serves as a captain on an A321 aircraft and has been in the profession for over a decade. Her workday begins with crew instructions and technical checks to ensure the aircraft is safe for flight. Gombkötő emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, including checking weather conditions and the aircraft's technical status. Despite her success, she notes the significant gender disparity in aviation, with only 6% of pilots being women. This statistic highlights the challenges women face in entering the field, including high training costs and societal expectations. Training to become a pilot can cost between 60,000 and 120,000 euros and requires strong skills in mathematics, physics, and English. Once qualified, pilots can earn between 90,000 and 200,000 euros annually, depending on the airline. Gombkötő expresses satisfaction with her work-life balance, flying five days a week followed by four days off. She reflects on the emotional connection she feels when flying, describing how it provides perspective on her problems and the world. Gombkötő's passion for her job is evident, as she rates her experience as a 12 out of 10. She aspires to continue her career as a long-term pilot and encourages others to pursue their dreams.