Naos JP Wilbrink

Commercial Pilot

PIC Type Challenger 350 | Survey Pilot | Commercial Pilot | Single & Multi Engine | Instrument Rated | Ferry Pilot | Contract Pilot
last updated: 04 April 2024Meet Naos Wilbrink, a multi-engine commercial pilot with a PIC type rating on the Challenger 300 / 350.As a customer-centric people person, he can confidently act as the face of your company. He is always seeking growth opportunities.If you want to learn more about my qualifications, my resume is available for your review.Please don't hesitate to contact me (see links below) today!I'm currently located in Calabasas, CA.

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Leveraging ChatGPT for METARs and TAFs: A Pilot's Training Companion

updated: 1 September 2023
by: Naos Wilbrink

IntroductionIn the world of aviation, weather plays a pivotal role in flying decisions. Understanding METARs (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) and TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) is essential for safe and effective flight operations. However, decoding the cryptic language of METARs and TAFs, with their abundance of abbreviations and codes, can be a daunting task for aspiring pilots. Enter ChatGPT, a powerful AI tool that can aid pilot training by generating customized METARs and TAFs that cater to specific training needs.Benefits of AI-Enhanced Weather ReportsImagine having the ability to create weather conditions tailored to your training objectives. AI-enhanced METARs and TAFs offer numerous advantages:Customization: ChatGPT can generate weather reports with precise conditions, enabling instructors to design diverse and challenging training scenarios.
Realism: AI-generated reports closely mimic real-world weather conditions, providing a more authentic training experience.
Practical Applications: Flight simulators can integrate AI-generated weather data, enhancing the realism of training sessions.
Diverse Training Scenarios: Instructors can create scenarios that expose trainees to a wide range of weather challenges, from thunderstorms to low visibility conditions.Generating Enhanced METARs and TAFs with ChatGPTHere's a step-by-step guide on how to harness ChatGPT's capabilities for generating AI-enhanced METARs and TAFs:Access ChatGPT: Use ChatGPT through a user-friendly interface or API.
Input Training Criteria: Specify the type of weather conditions you want to simulate, including temperature, visibility, wind speed, and more.
Receive AI-Generated Reports: ChatGPT will generate METARs and TAFs that match your criteria, including the necessary abbreviations and codes.
Review and Refine: Carefully review the AI-generated reports to ensure accuracy and alignment with your training objectives. Make adjustments as needed.* note: ChatGPT can also decode the sometimes confusing abbreviations and codes found in METARs and TAFs. So when you don't know it, you can ask for clarification.Using AI-Generated METARs and TAFs in Pilot TrainingUnderstanding and interpreting METARs and TAFs are critical skills for pilots. AI-generated weather reports can be used in various training scenarios:Interpreting Abbreviations: Trainees can practice decoding METARs and TAFs, becoming proficient in understanding the often complex abbreviations.
Realistic Training Scenarios: Instructors can challenge pilots with AI-enhanced weather conditions, preparing them for real-world flying challenges.
Decision-Making Skills: Pilots can refine their decision-making skills by facing different weather scenarios generated by ChatGPT.
Safety Awareness: Trainees can develop a heightened sense of weather-related safety concerns.Watch the examples

Addressing Limitations and Verifying DataWhile AI-generated METARs and TAFs offer numerous benefits, it's essential to acknowledge their limitations. Always cross-reference AI-generated data with real-world weather information to ensure accuracy and safety. Additionally, be aware that AI models are not infallible and may have inherent biases or inaccuracies.Future InnovationsThe potential of AI in aviation training is vast. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated and accurate AI-generated METARs and TAFs. This evolution will further enhance pilot training and safety measures.ConclusionLeveraging ChatGPT for AI-enhanced METARs and TAFs opens up new possibilities for pilot training. It allows for customization, realism, and diversity in training scenarios while helping pilots master the intricacies of weather reports. While AI is a powerful tool, it should always be used in conjunction with traditional training methods and real-world experience. As we embrace these innovations, we are one step closer to producing safer, more capable pilots ready to navigate the skies under any weather conditions.

ADM & Navigating Ego

updated: 5 August 2023
by: Naos Wilbrink

As my wife and I settled into a new neighborhood, bidding farewell to our beloved Long Beach, we were greeted by our new neighbors with a poignant reminder: "That's the spot where Kobe Bryant crashed." Amidst this somber conversation, my mind couldn't help but drift to the pilot involved, who happened to be a good friend of a friend. The incident sparked a profound contemplation about the choices we make and the pressures that drive us.In this article, I delve into a crucial topic: the influence of self-induced pressure on our decision-making process. We often find ourselves striving to impress others or meet expectations, but it's essential to question whom we are truly trying to please and why. What fuels this internal drive, and how can we navigate it effectively to make sound choices?Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) - The Foundation of Safe FlyingAeronautical decision-making (ADM) is what we pilots do way before we even get close to the airplane. Every decision you make in the days and hours leading up to your flight is attached to your ADM skills. This holds true for all flights: General Aviation (GA) and commercial flying. This is mostly seen as a solo task for the pilot.We are underutilizing 2 aspects. Our own mind, and all the people around us. We must utilize these from the moment we get into flight school until we stop flapping our wings.Dealing with the "Boss" AspectIn commercial endeavors, there is an extra layer of complexity, namely the "boss" aspect of the flight. This is why training now focuses a lot on how to deal with external factors. In my view that is the original reason the FAA has created EXTRA rules for these flights. It is to help the pilots say NO, without losing their job, yet falling back on a legal argument. Some would contend I have that backward. Though really the FAR is your ally.So part of ADM is formalized in commercial operations. However, in GA, we don't have the same level of protection; Remember? It's legal to take off IFR in 0 statute miles visibility!!Balancing Ego and Decision-MakingLet's dive into a situation. You have (access) to a plane with 4 seats and a great hangar. You meet a person and for some reason, they find out you are a pilot (okay fine, I said it in the first minute of meeting them). Now say you are so excited about this, that this person asks: "Hey can me and my friends fly with you one day?" and you say yes. The day of the flight is there and they show up and you then realize that they are all pretty tall and therefore heavy. Quite a bit heavier than safe. Smaller versions of these people would have been okay to fly to the 100-dollar hamburger on half-tanks. What do you do? Obviously, you MUST change the original plan. But how do you deal with it?The Story I Tell MyselfI'm going to borrow a methodology here from Brene Brown: "The story I tell myself". It can work wonders for your relationship with your significant other. And it works exceptionally well with the relationship with yourself. I will explain.The situation you are faced with is, who or how many people are you going to disappoint, right? You believe you promised a flight to a 100-dollar hamburger and that is not going to happen. But is that true? Or is that in itself already lined with assumptions?To check for this I ask myself:"What is the story I tell myself to be true?"
"All 3 want to fly to this 100-dollar hamburger, walk around at this new place, have fun, and share this experience making it a great future memory!"So you might conclude that is for them. Let's dig deeper.Who is the one making this possible? Yes, you. So ask yourself again, who are you doing this for? Would you drive them over to your pilot friend with a bigger aircraft and have them fly your friends?I'm sure you have landed on the fact that a large part of doing this is for yourself. It is ego. We all have it, that's not the problem, but ego didn't get that certificate, you did. So if you let ego fly the plane it should at least take up all the other seats.A simple check with your guests: "Is it about the journey or the destination?" is a great question! 80% change they say it's the journey. And with that answer, you say: "Great then I'll take 2 at the time for a short flight, come back and switch. So one of you gets to fly twice!".The off chance you get the other answer it's still simple: "Would you rather fly with 2 on each flight or not fly at all?".Leveraging CommitmentKnowing that nearly all the GA flights are for yourself, including your ego, you might need some extra hardening (yes I get the pun). This you can achieve by social proofing yourself. Robert Cialdini is a brilliant marketing professor regarding persuasion marketing. He has identified many items in us humans that daily are being exploited by marketers (although he told them not to use them for evil). One of the items I want to highlight because we can trick our brains to work for us and not against us.Commitment: People want their beliefs to be consistent with their values."The principle of commitment declares that humans have a deep need to be seen as consistent. As such, once we’ve publicly committed to something or someone, we’re much more likely to go through and deliver on that commitment (hence, consistency).From a psychological perspective, this can be explained by the fact that people have aligned commitment with their self-image." (Cialdini's principles explained by Marc Schenker)This is where you are going to use your friends and family in your ADM skills. The more commitment you show them, the more committed your brain will be (you don't even need to do anything for that, it comes hardwired that way). Tell people how safety-minded you are. Tell good friends about all the items you do for every flight to be safe. Tell your best friend about the weather you won't fly in. The more people you tell what you do for flight safety, the more you are committed to acting in accordance when that moment comes you are faced with a previously difficult decision.A Personal AccountFor me, it was my wife where the safety anchor dropped. A little background. My wife describes me as "a party waiting for people". I'm an entertainer. I love it, and that means in my friend group I have a certain reputation. So when I showed up one day with my pilot certificate and a plane, the responses were similar to discovering your friends' gynecologist is a male. Good for them but you'll wait until you're back home.After a few flights solo, I finally invited my wife to fly with me. Knowing that if I made a mistake our children would be orphans, I waited on taking this flight for quite some time.I filled the plane up and diligently used the checklist for the preflight. I might even have done it twice. We departed from a short-field grass strip and I get flight following once airborne. In this region, due to airspace restrictions, I'm not allowed higher than 2500ft. We are en route and the engine begins the sputter. Not too much, but a bit. Then it's normal again, and sputters again, and normal, and sputters. Inside I'm screaming for a second "WTH", on the outside I calmly start talking out loud about what I'm checking. I tell her: "That is not normal. Don't worry I'm going to run a few checks and with all the fields out here I have a lot of options to land safely.". I run all the checks you can do in Piper Warrior,... isn't that much,... Fuel, Air, Spark. At this time the engine is running fine again. In my head, different thoughts are popping up: "It's fine now, should I ruin a fun outing, for nothing?" to "If it's a prelude to a cylinder failure, I need to get on the ground now!". I call Flight Following, and inform them of my engine roughness and that I'm returning to the field (it coincidently was the closest one around).My wife was a witness to how I handled what I perceived to be a significant hurdle in our flying adventure. This is the story that gets told to all who need to hear it. Including myself. The principle of consistency is ingrained into my being. Caging or taming as you will, the ego.And it's why my friends and nervous flyers get on board with me, because I am as safe as I know to be, and always keep developing it. My brain wants to stay consistent.ConclusionThe 'self-induced pressure' is what is tied to the pilots' egos. This self-induced pressure is what pilots need to recognize they are fighting in addition to the outside pressures. In Flight School, there is a lot of emphasis on these external factors and how to defuse them. Too little attention goes out to the pilot's ego and the internal dialogue it brings forward.Use the FAR where possible as your shield. It's been crafted for you with the blood of others.Tell people around you what you want to be true about yourself. Then show them explicitly that behavior. You will show consistency, your brain is wired to do so!Use the non-threatening way of "The story I tell myself is..." to start defusing expectations you only think are there.About Naos Wilbrink:Survey Pilot & Aspiring FO and former tech entrepreneur from The Netherlands. Married since 2009 with Shawna + 5 'kids'. Raised at least 3 of the 5 :). When the youngest was ready to go to college, I moved to the States to finish my FAA papers. After completion of training, Shawna and I were able to start a new chapter in California. I've always passionately talked about aviation and I'm amazed by how much joy it continues to bring me. My goal is to first be the best pilot I can become, followed by using my growing experience to develop others around me to be their best.

This is why you are using "Commercial Pilot" wrong!

updated: 11 April 2023
by: Naos Wilbrink

I often get asked if I'm a commercial pilot. When I say yes and I have to answer the next question with: "no I'm not flying for an Airline, I'm still flying small planes..." the 'question asker' always looks somewhat disappointed.The term "commercial pilot" is often used incorrectly (by you, not me). In fact, a commercial pilot's license only allows a pilot to be compensated for certain types of flying, such as banner towing or aerial photography. To fly for an airline, you need an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.To become an ATP rated pilot, you must have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, including 500 hours of cross-country flight time, and at least 100 hours of night flight time. And pass the FAA ATP written exam and ATP practical test. (obviously)As for me, I'm thrilled to have reached the 800 hour mark (at the writing of this), well over halfway to becoming an ATP rated pilot! I'm currently getting just shy of 100 hours every two weeks doing survey flying, so with that pace I should hit the coveted mark within months!!

What does it cost to become an ATP-rated pilot?

updated: 22 March 2023
by: Naos Wilbrink

Becoming a commercial airline pilot is a dream for many aviation enthusiasts. However, this career path requires a significant investment of time and money. Let's take a closer look at what it takes to become an ATP-rated pilot.Flight Training
To become an ATP-rated pilot, an individual must first complete flight training. There are 141 schools out there that offer a “0 to hero” rate of around $60,000 to $80,000. In addition to this, one needs to obtain their multi add-on, CFI(I), and spin endorsement which can cost around $20,000. The cost of flight training can vary depending on the location, flight school, and other factors.Living Expenses
Flight training takes time, and aspiring pilots need to have a roof over their heads and eat. Living expenses can add up quickly and can be a significant factor in the overall cost of becoming an ATP-rated pilot. This can include rent and food, which can vary depending on the location and lifestyle.Exam Fees
Pilots are required to pass multiple exams before obtaining their ATP rating. The exam fees can range between $800 and $1200 per exam, with six exams required in total.Contingency Fund
Unexpected expenses can arise at any time, and it's always a good idea to have some buffer money. As such, it's recommended to add at least 12% of the total cost as a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses.Time Investment
Becoming an ATP-rated pilot is a significant investment of time. Aspiring pilots should expect to spend around one year in flight training to obtain their ATP rating. In addition, they should expect to spend at least 1.5 years as a CFI(i) to gain 1500 hours.Medical Certificate
Pilots are required to maintain a first-class medical certificate throughout their careers. This involves regular physical exams and meeting certain health requirements. Failing to meet these requirements can impact a pilot's ability to fly.

The aviation industry has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Economic and global events can impact the industry, leading to changes in job availability and salary expectations. Aspiring pilots should carefully consider these factors when choosing to pursue a career in aviation.In conclusion, becoming an ATP-rated pilot requires a significant investment of both time and money. Aspiring pilots should carefully consider the costs and potential job prospects before committing to this career path. However, for those who are passionate about flying and willing to put in the work, the rewards of a career in aviation can be great.