Airplane Bush Pilot, Bali, Indonesia

Behind Ms. Giovanna Vieira’s megawatt smile is an astute, analytical brain, capable within seconds of calculating distances, flight angles and landing possibilities for a bush plane that is intended for flying into some of the most remote parts of Indonesia. In a country with 17,508 islands, of which about 6000 are inhabited, there are only 673 “official” airports. If you do the math, there are many islands that have a makeshift clearing zone that may serve as a landing strip on some days and a market shop area on others. In these challenging areas is where Giovanna shines and lands her aircraft. Ms. Vieira transports local residents, delivers medicaments, and responds to emergencies. After speaking with Ms. Vieira I became curious about bush pilots and the skills required.

According to Bush & Mountain Flying manual, bush pilot is defined as a person who is able to fly a light to medium size aircraft safely in and out of places that would normally be regarded by most other pilots as "marginal", "too dangerous" or "impossible". Generally these are areas that are inaccessible to most aircraft and other means of transportation. A bush plane needs to be properly equipped for operating out in remote and rough areas. Such an aircraft should be fitted with strong landing gear and oversize high floatation tires and the pilot should always be ready for any eventuality and should be carrying all the necessary tools and survival gear. A bush pilot should have a thorough knowledge of the hazards of bush and mountain flying and be skilled in the techniques required to safely fly in these areas.

Not too shabby. I respectfully bow down to our WOW Woman’s drive to keep pushing for an opportunity to pursue her dream through all the ups and downs, challenges and rejections (not based on merit either, but on gender). Starting her journey in Brazil and ending up in Indonesian bush certainly implies a cool story. And Ms. Vieira doesn’t disappoint.

1. Name.

Giovanna Pihler Vieira.

2. Where is your hometown?

Born in São Paulo/SP Brazil. Living now in Indonesia.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I’m an Airplane Pilot. My average day consists of flying planes to remote places, giving people from villages a chance to move around. We also bring cargo and supplies to them. I always stay in a company base for four weeks (which can be anywhere in Indonesia) followed by two weeks off, which I use to travel to different places.

4. What did you study in school?

Even though it is not mandatory for pilots, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Aviation.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

In order to be a pilot we have to complete several stages and the first one is obtaining a private pilot license. With this license I cannot work, it is a license that I can use to fly my own airplane or even rent a plane and fly it, but I can't receive any money to do so. To get this license we need to do a minimum of 40 hours, learning basic maneuvers (like maintaining straight and level flight, climb, descend, engine power settings, etc.) and what to do in emergency situations (engine failure, for instance). Once you have this license, you can basically fly single engine airplanes in visual conditions. This course I did in Brazil, and took me a year to finish, as I was also studying in college, so I could fly only on weekends and holidays.

After I finished this course, the next step was taking a commercial pilot course, and that is the "professional" license for pilots. A friend of mine came up with the idea of doing this course in the United States, so I searched around and decided to move to Florida with him and get this license. Took me around one year and four months to finish. In this course we need a minimum of 150 hours (which includes the 40 hours from the private pilot course) and we learn basically same things as in the private pilot course, but knowledge goes a bit deeper. We learn how to fly instruments (which is very useful in bad visibility conditions, and also, if you are flying high altitudes, that is the only way allowed to fly: with instruments) and then, along with commercial pilot course, I did the multi engine course, so I can fly multi engine airplanes as well. After I finished these courses I went back to Brazil, converted my licenses to the Brazilian system and finished college (which I put on hold when I moved to the States).

After graduating college I started looking for a job, and that’s when things got more difficult. I started making many phone calls to the companies, small and big, went to the airports to meet people and hand in my resume, and not only in São Paulo. I went to other states in Brazil just to try to talk to people and show them how interested I was in getting a job anywhere. I remember calling one company that flies ad banners above Brazillian beaches; it was one of the biggest companies involved in that business in my country. After asking about any vacancies for pilots they just said straight away "Well, we actually do not hire women; at least I've never seen one here, so we only hire men".

That was not the first and only time I heard something of that sort. Once I went all the way to Goiânia, which is a city pretty far from my hometown, and as soon as I got into the entrance and inquired about vacancies for pilots, the man (who was like a guard and apparently was also doing his pilot course) didn’t want to let me in, saying that they do not hire women pilots because that would be and extra cost to the company, as they would have to pay for two hotel rooms instead of one. Apparently he thought he was also in HR because he had the audacity to inform me that he had never seen a woman there and the company wouldn’t hire me. Anyway, upon my insisting, he let me in and I spoke with the correct HR person. They did not look very welcoming, but at least I gave them my CV.

It was difficult for me to keep trying to talk to people, especially because I am very shy. But I knew that if I wanted a job, I would have to get out of my comfort zone, and that is what I did.

So after much frustration of not finding a job in my field (this is now about two years after obtaining my commercial pilot license), I decided to do an instructor course, so with this new license I could work in flight schools as a flight instructor. It wasn’t ideal, as I do not really have the patience to teach others, but I figured that would be better than just sitting around. After finishing this course, again, I couldn’t find a job. I was 24 and needed a job to pay my bills so I started looking for absolutely anything, even if it was not necessarily aviation-related. This was exactly the time when Uber arrived in my country, and I had a friend who was generous enough to lend me his car to drive and he graciously charged me only the maintenance fees. It was not a perfect job by any means, but at least I could make some money, not just stay sitting and waiting for a miracle to happen. I was very unhappy with my situation back then; after studying for so long I couldn’t seem to get a job in my field, and now I was depending on my friend’s car for work.

Because I didn’t want to depend on someone’s car for my livelihood, I got a job as an English teacher to kids. I worked for one year, and I really liked the school and the people I worked with. It wasn’t a perfect job, but it was better than "ubering". I then taught English to the pilots who required to pass in order to fly internationally. I also started writing English essays for people in college. Yes, people would pay me to do their homework/essays. At that time in my life I had three jobs: teaching English to kids, for pilots and writing essays.

I was extremely frustrated about everything. My parents were supportive, but even they suggested I try going to college again to work in another field. However, I knew that if I went back to college I would just settle and give up on being a pilot. I didn’t want to let go of my dream, so I decided to keep pushing on.

I was devastated, but I decided to go to this city anyway and try to meet people and get a job. I moved there. One week later I walked into a flight school that had recently opened, and the owner knew a friend of mine. He liked me, and three days later he invited to me be a flight instructor in his school. I was thrilled. My first job as a pilot, five years after getting my commercial pilot license. I couldn’t believe it.

It was a new school, very few students, but I could finally fly and get paid for it. I moved near the airport where the school was based, which was 40 minute drive from the main city in the area. I was living literally in the middle of nowhere, but I was the happiest person on earth!

In the meantime I was still teaching English for pilots and doing essays for lazy people, and also, I didn’t stop looking for a better job. 

In the English school I met another teacher, who was also a pilot and was about to leave to fly in Indonesia. When he left I was like "hmm, what is in Indonesia?” That’s how I found this company that was all about bush flying. Six months later I obtained the necessary requirements and applied for the first officer job. From the moment I applied until the moment I moved to Indonesia took about a year. After getting this job I came to Indonesia and I have been living and working here ever since (almost two years now).

I never thought about being a bush pilot, but that was the opportunity that life gave to me and I just grabbed it. I remember after finishing training and finally going online, I was completely lost (which is normal…I was a new copilot, just learning about not only bush flying, but also about an airline life, everything was new to me) and I remember thinking "this bush life is not for me, I was born to fly Tokyo - New York). Of course it was just my nerves talking, and I wasn’t yet familiar with the operations.

I was lucky (or better say, unlucky) that my first flight was with the owner of my company onboard. I was excited and at the same time nervous. My boss was the passenger. The captain I flew with was a very nice and experienced guy, so he was patient about my situation and really helped me. After one month, I was yet more comfortable with the airplane and the type of operations required. I started to love it! Now, I cannot picture myself with a big airline. I really fell in love for bush flying.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

At the age of 20 I thought I had everything sorted. I was about to finish my commercial pilot course in Florida and I truly believed that I would go back to Brazil, interview at an airline of my choice and get a job within months. Nothing could be further from the truth. I struggled to get interviews, and the ones I attended, never called me back. Never did I imagine that after six years of trying to get a job in my own country I would be flying in the most remote places in Indonesia, and the world. That was NEVER in my plans.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Yes, many times. Many interviews that I attended and never got a call back. People promising jobs that they didn’t really followed up on. My parents were as frustrated as I was. Every time they suggested I try another career, even if for just a while, was pretty hard to hear and internalize. I didn’t want to do anything else. Honestly though, many times I thought about giving up. But every time I was close to giving up, something would always push me to keep going. For instance, when I was teaching English to kids I was about to give up on the whole pilot thing, I came a bit closer to my dream through teaching English to pilots. I was all of a sudden surrounded by pilots and making precious contacts, talking about aviation, my dream didn’t die!

Even now. I really want to be based in Papua. It is more challenging, more difficult flying there and I truly believe it would make grow as a pilot (also, is more fun!). I requested many times to be based there, heard from other pilots that I am ready to go, but every time I am bypassed by other pilots, even those guys who don’t want to fly there. This really brings me down and makes me feel like I am not being seen or heard. But I keep pushing on.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Of course we can! But the way there is no doubt longer and more difficult than for a man. I remember I heard that some business man who had his own planes wouldn’t hire female pilots, not because they didn’t want to, but because their wife would be jealous. Unfortunately, there are not only men, but many women who remain "against" other women.

People are scared of the word "feminist" because there is a huge misconception behind it. I believe that it is not about deserving more or considering ourselves better than men, but it is all about being equal. It really makes me sad that still, a lot of women support sexist behavior.

I figured it out: along the way the best way to fight and earn our space in the workforce is through doing our best. It is not shouting or banging fists on the table, because people won’t listen, we (women) have to be smart about it. I always gave my best in my flying, and still it has been tough, but I can see changes happening (slowly, but surely!)

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

Definitely when I’m flying. Every time I’m stressed my parents tell me "ahh please Giovanna, just go flying and relax a bit". I love the feeling of being in the air. I also love being a passenger, but of course, when I’m in control it’s better. That feeling of joy, I can’t even describe or explain.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I really like astronomy. I took a few courses regarding this subject and learned a little bit about the universe. I guess I really love the sky.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I think when I am ready to settle down and have a more “stable” life, I want to move to a bigger airline anywhere in the world. But I don’t really feel like going back to my home country yet. Even though I have my family and my friends there, the world is so big and interesting. I want to explore so much more before returning to the place where I was born.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

Fear of not being able to work as a pilot. I love my job and I can’t picture myself doing anything else. If for any reason I can’t fly ever again, I would be completely lost.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Not at all! Everything that happened brought me to the place I am right now. The struggle to find a job wasn’t easy, but the journey gave me a chance to mature and to be ready for this moment. The journey to get here allowed me to appreciate the present moment.

15. What inspires you?

My family, my friends…people close to me, those whom I love.

16. What are you hopeful about?

That someday, women won’t have to listen to things like “we don’t hire women here for whatever reason” like I did so many times.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

I think as long as you do what makes you happy, you will be certainly halfway to living a good life. The pandemic has changed my perspective about everything. It showed me how sensitive my career is, and even though I still have my job, many friends of mine who are also pilots were not as fortunate as me.

18. What qualities do you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I’m very good when it comes to listening others. People can vent to me for hours and I will listen to every word, without judgement.

I am also very persistent and focused. When I want something, I will fight until the end to get it.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Be patient. Things will not happen the way you planned, nor will they happen fast. But when they do happen it is going to be awesome. Keep doing your best!

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Even though I love reading, it has been a while since I read something I loved. Certainly Harry Potter is my one of my favourite reads.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description?

My mom for sure. Although she struggled her entire life, she never gave up and kept going.

My best friend, whom I have known since we were five. It is nice growing up with someone, seeing them accomplish so much, and being there from the very beginning. My best friend was also by my side during all my struggles.

I am really glad they are part of my life.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

I am on Instagram: @gio.pihler

1. What and who is worth suffering for? I don’t think anyone is worth suffering for. Of course, it depends on the situation.

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? I would speak more freely about my desires, my preferences. Without fear of shocking people.

3. What are a few things you thought you would never get over when you were going through them? Moving to Asia. At first, I was completely scared, had no idea of what to expect from this new experience and I was all by myself. Eventually though, I made new friends, started working and doing what I really love and that feeling was replaced with happiness.

4. What do you not want anyone else to know about you? I guess that is a secret.

5. What would be too good to believe if someone was to sit down and tell you what's coming next in your life? That I’m going to fly a 747 for a big airline. That is literally my favorite aircraft and the one I’m aiming for. Unfortunately, nowadays the companies are getting rid of it because is not very profitable, but maybe someday, I will be able to fly one.

6. Who from your past are you still trying to earn acceptance from? Nobody I guess. I never searched for acceptance. People either accept me, or I won’t care about them. Luckily, all the people that I care about were always there for me and always supported and accepted me.

7. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? Travel around the world. And if I had enough money, buy my own plane and fly around the world in it. I can’t imagine myself without flying.

8. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people? I don’t care for those people who don’t really care about thriving in life. What I love the most is sense of humour in people.