What Young Pilots Want, with Clay Simmons

By John Zimmerman
Jan 28, 2025
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Pilot's Discretion Podcast, episode 96

Over 40% of active student pilots are under age 30 and Clay Simmons is one of them (he even built a Carbon Cub at age 22). He explains the unique expectations this new generation of pilots has, how the GA industry can be more successful in reaching out, and why mentors are so important. Clay is also an active backcountry pilot, so he shares advice for pilots who want to fly taildraggers and explore off-airport destinations. In the Ready to Copy segment, Clay talks about homebuilding tips, campfire cooking, and great architecture.

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Quotes:

How technology has helped attract new pilots: “I think what’s made flying more accessible lately is this massive access to information.”
The value of young role models: “They see me working on an airplane and see themselves as wanting to be in that position.”
Aviation as a release from online life: “It’s a very hands-on activity… it is still disconnecting from your phone in a way. You’re not scrolling social media, you’re not playing video games.”
Advice for older pilots to encourage young people: “Be accessible, stay involved.”
Setting expectations with social media: “You see the cool video of me doing this cool thing. Let’s talk about the process it takes to get here.”
Embracing the struggle of flight training: “There are two kinds of pilots: there are those who had bad days where they really struggled, and liars.”
The value of mentors as a young builder: “The people that were in my corner for that whole experience were the reason it happened… having a mentor is everything.”
How to connect with older pilots: “It’s a ‘no’ if you don’t ask.”
The appeal of backcountry aviation: “It is one of the most beautiful yet demanding forms of flying.”
The skills you need for safe flying out West: “Knowing your airplane, knowing your speeds—these things matter.”
The first flight in an airplane you built: “10 seconds of pure fear, and then an hour of ‘this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.’”