I relocated from Norway to the United States in 1987 with the specific intention of attending flight school and pursuing a career as a professional pilot. Many of my peers at that flight school aspired to work for airlines in Scandinavia; however, as the majority of us soon discovered, the job market for pilots can be quite unpredictable. Consequently, I decided to forge my career path in the United States instead.
I began my career flying as a 135 “freight dog” for a few years before transitioning to various airlines. However, after the onset of COVID-19, I began to reconsider whether I wished to return to that lifestyle. I opted to join a charter company operating the Embraer Phenom 300. Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to pilot a larger corporate aircraft for another 135 charter company. Unfortunately, that position was not long-lasting, prompting me to search for new employment. Fortunately, I discovered an opportunity with Sofar Air, which allows me to be based a short drive from our hub at HPN.
The charter position presents an opportunity to fly to a wide array of airports, many of which offer unique and intriguing challenges. While we occasionally accommodate familiar clients, we frequently welcome new customers to these destinations. The collaborative efforts of the entire Sofar team—from Sales and Scheduling to Operations and the Flight Crew—function seamlessly, ensuring that each flight is executed successfully. This collective achievement provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.
As a rule, my favorite airplane to fly is always the one I am currently piloting. However, if I had to select an all-time favorite, it would undoubtedly be the Boeing 767. This aircraft is a robust and versatile model, capable of handling a wide range of missions without issue. (Not unlike a Phenom 300 which does its intended mission quite well). Moreover, it stands out as one of the easiest airplanes I have ever flown.
