People often ask me why I call myself the BigData Pilot.
It started as a metaphor but over time it became my way of working, thinking and leading projects in the world of data and AI.
Checklists over ego
In aviation, even a captain with 30,000 flight hours still uses a checklist. Not because they don’t know what to do, but because precision and repeatability matter more than ego and a complex system don’t reward improvisation. They reward discipline, awareness, and a clear order of operations.
It’s the same in data.
You can have the smartest people and the most advanced technology, but without structure and consistency, even the best strategy loses altitude.
I’ve seen projects fail not because the model was wrong, but because the process was missing.
Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
My favorite phrase from aviation is simple: “Aviate, navigate, communicate.”
It’s the golden rule when things go wrong:
- Aviate means keep control of the aircraft.
- Navigate means understand where you are and where you’re going.
- Communicate means only then, start talking.
It’s a hierarchy of priorities designed to prevent chaos — and it translates perfectly into data work.
When a pipeline breaks, a model drifts, or production performance tanks, you follow the same mindset:
- First, stabilize the system.
- Then, analyze the situation.
- Only after that, report or communicate.
There’s always time for a root cause analysis later. But first, keep control and after your are save, start the discussion on what should be the learning and improvement.
Flying data, not hype
That’s what being a BigData Pilot means.
I’m not here to sell buzzwords or slide decks.
I help organizations fly their data and AI journeys safely. I plan the path, handle the turbulence and reach the destination.
But once we land, it’s your journey to continue.
Nobody asks the pilot which rental car to take or where to have dinner.
I’m not the expert in banking, retail, or manufacturing. I’m the one who makes sure you arrive prepared, intact, and ready to explore new ground.
Why it matters
I registered the domain bigdata-pilot.com back in 2018. At first, it was just a catchy idea. Over time, it became the foundation of how I see data work. I see it not as an experiment, but as a craft.
One that requires training, checklists, and the humility to know that experience doesn’t replace discipline.
Being a pilot isn’t about showing off how high you can fly.
It’s about making sure everyone on board arrives safely. Every time.