The People Behind the Flight: World Pilot's Day

In honor of World Pilot’s Day last Sunday, April 26, Bell recognized the pilots whose skill, dedication and passion made a lasting impact on the aviation community. We’re spotlighting five pilots from our global facilities whose careers reflect the innovation and teamwork that defines Bell.

Eric Emblin, senior test pilot, Mirabel

“In my high school years, we had a summer cottage across from the Lands and Forests Department water base, where helicopters would land on the dock to refuel during fire season. That experience inspired me, and I pursued my mechanical interest first, becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer before becoming a commercial helicopter pilot."

"As a helicopter charter pilot, the missions are varied—emergency medical transport, forest fire support, transport of personnel to remote sites, support of hydro power line maintenance, relocation of exploration camps and drill rigs, airborne wildlife surveys and more. The unique ability of the helicopter to hover and land in unprepared sites is what is required to support those on the ground. What might surprise employees is that in the experimental helicopter world, every person has a role, no matter how small, in ensuring the flight will be successful.”

Jose Piedrahita, Bell Training Academy pilot, Fort Worth

“When you are a boy and you have a dream, you just follow your dream. I’m a pilot because it’s my dream and it is the best dream a man can have. Being a pilot is not just flying an aircraft; a pilot is the person who is thinking about everything — the day, temperatures, weight, mission and many other things. If you see pilots, we have a different personality than other jobs. When we are in the cockpit, it’s our world, because we need to think, see and anticipate, especially if we are instructor pilots."

"What gives me confidence before takeoff is everything that comes before it: briefing, attitude, the mission and making the connection with your flight and the aircraft. What might surprise employees is simple: you need to be happy with the job you do — attitude, feeling, and a big smile every day. If customers see you happy, confident, natural, and professional, they will see it, and trust me, they will see it from BTA.”

Sean Mah, demonstration pilot, Singapore

“As a young kid, I’d watch helicopters fly overhead from my classroom window, completely mesmerized. My teacher once told me I couldn’t make a living looking out windows and decades later, I’m happy to report she was wrong. My passion is looking out windows, specifically from the cockpit of a Bell aircraft, operating all over the world."

"Being a pilot means being a torchbearer for an industry that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, especially in Asia Pacific. At Bell Singapore and the tradeshows I attend, I take every opportunity to inspire the next generation to consider this deeply rewarding career. Even after countless flight hours, the view still catches me off guard. Some windows, it turns out, are worth looking out of.”

Salvador Carrazoni, ground school instructor, Valencia

“Since I was 12 and first saw an airplane and the pilot right in front of me, I felt something special that never disappeared. When the opportunity arose to join the Spanish Air Force as a Cadet, the decision was easy. Once at the Air Force Academy, my choice to fly helicopters came after my first participation in a search and rescue mission."

"In the cockpit, I rely on every technical bit of knowledge I can get about the aircraft I am flying, along with the training that goes with it. But I also rely on my previous experience to avoid, as much as possible, any undesired situation that could lead to dangerous conditions of flight. Before takeoff, what gives me confidence is knowing I have a complete team of highly qualified, experienced, and competent ground personnel taking care of the aircraft.”

Tim Mouw, production test pilot, Amarillo

“My father was the one who first inspired me to become a pilot. His love of flying naturally transferred to me. Growing up in Wisconsin, I spent many summers attending and working at the Oshkosh EAA Fly-In, which only strengthened that passion. Being a pilot, to me, is about more than a job, it’s about the freedom and peace that comes with being in the air. In the cockpit, I rely heavily on my training, experience, thorough flight planning, and, when flying dual-pilot aircraft, my copilot."

"One thing that consistently gives me confidence before takeoff is knowing the aircraft has been maintained, and in Bell’s case, built by incredibly skilled men and women. Their dedication means I not only get to enjoy what I do, but I also get to go home safely to my family. That’s something I never take for granted.

On special occasions like World Pilot’s Day, I celebrate the same way I always have: by flying low and fast through the wild canyonlands of Texas.”

Learn more about the Bell Training Academy and our pilots here.