Captain's Blog: A new King in the Skies
Meet Captain John Cabot who pilots our King Air 250GT. John has recently earned his Captain's wings following an exciting career in the skies flying corporate clients in private aircraft around the globe. We join him in the cockpit to learn more about life in the Captain's chair, why he loves to defy gravity, and how he loves to sing in musicals....
Congratulations, on your latest promotion, tell us about it!
I joined Ortac with Captain's experience but in a different environment so I still had a lot to learn. I started as a First Officer to learn the ropes from the experienced crew who instructed me on the intricacies of flying specialised private aircraft. I listened, learned and slowly built my experience to work up to a position where I could be recommended for Command.
What type of aircraft do you fly and what are its capabilities?
I fly the Beechcraft King Air 250GT which is a modern turboprop with a comfortable, spacious cabin with plenty of room for up to 7 people and baggage. It's one of the sky’s most iconic aircraft really and I'm proud to fly it.
How did you start your career in aviation?
I started flying in 1999 when I completed my Private Pilot Licence and have never looked back. I made the move into corporate and private flying in 2016 and have loved every minute.
What do you love most about your job?
I like being able to make a difference by making our clients feel welcome and giving them the best possible service they deserve. I also love seeing the blue sky most days from my office when its grey and gloomy, I also love the different weather that we get to experience.
Any advice you would give to young pilots starting out in the aviation industry?
Study hard and get going so that you can experience the great feeling of flying a plane, and being able to defy gravity!
Favourite place you fly to and why?
That's a tough one but would have to be into the Alps, Geneva when you come over the lake is fabulous, especially on a cold crisp winter's day when there's snow on the mountains. I've flown into some fabulous places in my career and all are different and special in their own way.
Fastest speed you’ve ever flown?
659 miles per hour
Maverick or Ice Man?
Neither, I don't have the physical attributes!
Are there any cool perks to being Captain?
The one which I'm learning fast is people always look to you for direction and to answer questions, so hopefully I can pass on some of my skills to the guys that come on with us and vice versa, we never stop learning.
Tell us a fun story from your career in the skies?
My most memorable story is my first very flight bringing a new jet to Jersey from the factory. It was a very steep learning curve and involved flying through Narsarsuaq in Greenland one of the world's most remote and challenging airports. It was a phenomenal trip which I did another four times after that. Greenland is a vast expanse of white tundra in the winter, and this trip was two days before Christmas, so it was a magical, otherworldly experience.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
I used to sing in a church choir and was quite a good singer. I've been known to take the stage since starring in Joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat. Ask me on board and I might perform a few big numbers for you!
The engine might be the heart of our airplanes, but our people are the heart of our business. Whether we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to seamlessly manage your operations or piloting your aircraft whenever and wherever you want to fly, we are fuelled by a passion to serve. If you'd like to learn more about how we can support your flight operations, please get in touch for friendly and professional advice at info@flyortac.com