Pilots Supporting Pilots
Helping future Professional Pilots make educated career decisions.
What We Do
Professional Pilots of Tomorrow provides a wide range of benefits to its members to help them succeed as Professional Pilots in training and beyond.
1 on 1 Mentorship
Members are assigned a personal, trained mentor who provides unbiased guidance and support. Mentors are experienced professional pilots who are strategically paired under our proprietary mentorship program.
Pilots Resources
PPOT maintains a wide variety of resources to support pilots, such as info on airlines, low-time flying opportunities, and specialized guides. All of these resources are designed by pilots, for pilots.
Member Network
Not only do members work 1 on 1 with their personal mentor, they also have the opportunity to connect with and learn from our growing network of over 1000 professional pilots and pilots in training. Our network consists of pilots from nearly every Part 121 airline, plus many charter and corporate operators.
Our
Impact
2500+ Current Active Members
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600+ Pilot Mentors
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Thousands of Pilots Supported
PPOT Member Stories
"My experience with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) has been nothing short of transformative."
I met PPOT President Joseph Schmidt on a flight from Paris to New York. I was a student pilot in the jetway, and he graciously welcomed my request to visit the flight deck—a simple gesture that led to an incredible mentorship and support system.
Prior to joining the program, I had the misconception that success in aviation required significant financial means or a family legacy in the industry. I found myself overwhelmed by the complex and often intimidating path to becoming a professional pilot.
Through Joseph’s thoughtful and consistent mentorship, I was able to craft a personalized and realistic pathway toward my goals. His support—including regular check-ins and a mock checkride during a particularly challenging period—helped me regain the confidence I needed to pass my Private Pilot License (PPL) checkride on the first attempt.
Thanks to the guidance of PPOT, Joseph, and my exceptional flight instructor Matt McKeon, I now feel equipped and inspired to continue my journey in aviation.
Andy Mak, PPOT Member
“Here’s a photo from my first flight last year (LAS-BOI), which I will always cherish."
Thank you PPOT & Keep on Aiming High Everyone!
Rich Couture, PPOT Member
"When Atanas transitioned from a successful dance career into aviation, he had the passion—but no roadmap."
With no one in his family involved in aviation, he found guidance through Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT), where he was paired with Mitch—an experienced pilot, fellow career changer, and active supporter of the next generation of aviators.
Mitch became a steady presence through every phase of Atanas’s training—offering advice, encouragement, and firsthand industry insight. Their mentorship quickly grew into a lasting friendship. They met multiple times in person, flew together in Arizona, and shared a pinnacle moment when Atanas jumpseated Mitch’s flight at Alaska Airlines—a powerful full-circle experience.
Now a First Officer flying for a Part 135 carrier, Atanas credits much of his success to Mitch’s support. Inspired by the profound impact of their relationship, he recently stepped into the role of mentor himself and was just assigned his first mentee through PPOT.
From receiving guidance to giving it, Atanas’s story is a reminder of how mentorship can lift a dream off the ground—and keep it soaring.
Atanas G. Malamov, PPOT Member