Tom Pinit’s path to becoming a pilot was anything but conventional. As the son of Thai immigrants, he grew up believing he couldn’t be a pilot due to vision requirements. After working in corporate consulting and land conservation, a layoff in 2019 pushed him to take a calculated risk: pursuing his dream of flying. With the unwavering support of his wife, Tom decided to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. He started flight training at a Part 141 school, only to face another roadblock when the school shut down during the pandemic. He adapted—working at an FBO, becoming a CFI, flying aerial survey, and building hours however he could. Even after earning his ATP-CTP, job rejections kept coming. But he didn’t give up. Now, he flies a Cessna Citation for a medical transport charter, where he plays a crucial role in life-saving missions, flying surgeons to retrieve organs under intense time constraints and challenging weather conditions. Tom’s story is one of persistence, adaptability, and the sacrifices required to turn a passion into a career.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Tom transitioned from corporate work to aviation The struggles of flight training during the pandemic and how he adapted What it’s like to fly medical transport and the critical role pilots play in saving lives The challenges of weather, diversions, and time-sensitive missions in organ transport The reality of applying to aviation jobs and handling rejection Why perseverance, networking, and taking calculated risks can make all the difference Tom’s journey proves that setbacks are just detours—if you’re willing to keep flying forward.

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