Taking Flight Amidst
the Pandemic

Airside: Creating a digital community to support pilots

Industry

Aerospace

Project timeline

1 year

Framework

Agile

Role

UX designer
representing BYC

Small paper airplaneSmall paper airplane

Considerations

The pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges and disruptions to the aviation industry, with many pilots grounded and unable to fly. The future of the aviation industry was uncertain, leaving many pilots unsure when or if they will be able to return to their pre-pandemic roles. Despite these difficulties, Airside has demonstrated the power of technology and innovation to support people during times of crisis. Through its digital platforms, Airside has brought the aviation community together, providing quality news and resources to help pilots stay informed and connected.

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What was this project about

  • Establishing a product strategy
  • Creating a new product
  • Building a new community
  • Generating value and revenue
  • International cooperation

A harsh reality

Understanding pilots

Interviewing pilots

With widespread job losses and uncertainty about the future of the aviation industry, many pilots have felt anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. The disruption to their usual routines and the inability to fly have also caused feelings of frustration and helplessness. Additionally, the isolation and social distancing measures put in place during the pandemic have contributed to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Overall, the pandemic had a significant impact on the mental state of pilots, highlighting the importance of providing support and resources to help them navigate through these challenging times.

2 cellphone on top of another showing Airside screenshots

Main pain points

Following our interviews with pilots, we identified three main areas of concern.

Job search and preparation guidance for when the industry picks up.

Access to online training courses to maintain recency and learn new skills.

Staying informed about news and the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry.

Career, tools and information

Having understood their primary concerns, we are now able to address these issues and develop solutions to alleviate their worries. This would not only help them stay informed and up-to-date on industry changes but also provide them with a sense of community and support. Access to such resources could help pilots feel more empowered and better equipped to make decisions about their careers and future opportunities.

Our first step

Creating the CV builder

Ipad pro showing Airside resume builder

Designed specifically for pilots

The process of creating a resume builder for pilots involved a thorough understanding of the aviation industry and the specific needs of pilots. We conducted research to identify the key information that airlines and other aviation companies typically look for when hiring pilots. We then designed a user-friendly interface that would allow pilots to easily input their relevant experience and education, and generate a polished and professional-looking resume.Overall, the resume builder for pilots streamlines the job search process and gives pilots a professional edge when applying for new opportunities in the aviation industry.

Workshop

Leading a workshop

Screenshots of workshop showing flow and definition of a workshop

With the resume builder completed and tested, we turned our attention to supporting pilots in their careers. To achieve this, we organized a collaborative workshop involving our internal team and partners. During the workshop, we discussed the most critical areas of the career section of Airside and identified ways to improve it to better serve pilots' needs. Our goal is to provide the necessary tools and resources to help pilots find employment opportunities and navigate their careers during these challenging times.

Expanding on career

Airside job board

Screenshot of Airside job board functionalities such as job posting

The second project was to create a job board for pilots on Airside that allowed them to browse and apply for available positions. The job board provided relief and a sense of hope for many pilots who were struggling to find work during the pandemic. Pilots expressed their gratitude for the job board and the positive impact it had on their mental well-being during such a challenging time. The job board also provided a sense of community and support for pilots as they navigated through the uncertainties of the aviation industry.

Airside, the trusted source for pilots

Airside learning and magazine

The second project was to create a job board for pilots on Airside that allowed them to browse and apply for available positions. The job board provided relief and a sense of hope for many pilots who were struggling to find work during the pandemic. Pilots expressed their gratitude for the job board and the positive impact it had on their mental well-being during such a challenging time. The job board also provided a sense of community and support for pilots as they navigated through the uncertainties of the aviation industry.

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