Pilot explains the most challenging part about flying a commercial jet
Published on Aug 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM (UTC+4)
by Grace Donohoe
Last updated on Aug 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
A pilot explained the most challenging part of his job flying a commercial jet, and his response isn’t quite what you’d expect.
The cockpit is full of surprises, with controls able to power the jet as well as communicate with passengers and crew.
But one of the most challenging aspects of the job often occurs at the end of a journey.
One pilot got real when discussing the challenge and explained how practice really does make perfect.
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This pilot got real about flying a commercial jet and its challenges
Flying a huge aircraft is no mean feat, and for all the hours needed to qualify, the task is set to come with a set of challenges.
So, one pilot revealed all when an aviation fan asked him what the most challenging part of flying a commercial jet is and why.
TikToker content creator and pilot pilotpete.fly spoke openly about his experience of piloting a commercial jet.
“I would say the most challenging part is definitely crosswind landings,” he revealed.
Taking off a small plane, or a corporate jet, or a Boeing 767 is super, super easy. But landing is a different story.”
He says that ‘you definitely need to practice that skill’ and need real-life experience.
Pete also explained that it’s not as easy as it looks, and although he says it’s not hard, practice is needed to perfect the skill.
Before getting to the details of landing, the pilot prefaced that there is no hardest part for him personally, but landing in crosswinds certainly is the most challenging part of his vocation.
Online, users were shocked at the pilot’s revelation
After hearing that the hardest part of flying a commercial jet was landing, many aviation fans were amazed.
Some even had more questions for the pilot to answer, too.
“Wow, and the take off is my worst fear! That’s the one that makes me nervous the most,” said one user.
“I heard landing is a controlled crash,” commented another person.
“Pete is understanding all the buttons in the cockpit easy?” asked a third.
Other pilots have also made some unexpected claims, too.
Take this pilot, for instance, who said that if you can drive a car, you can fly a plane and explained why that’s the case.
Plus, after sitting in the cockpit, a New York woman revealed landing footage at an airport so challenging, only a few commercial pilots are allowed there, and it will shock you.
You can catch the pilot’s tell-all video about his job below.
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