National Aviation Day

National Aviation Day, celebrated on August 19, honors the history and advancements of aviation while recognizing the people who make flying possible. It’s a moment to reflect on the innovation, passion and courage that continue to inspire the aviation community today. At Radiall, aviation is not just something we support through our technology; it’s also a personal passion for some of our employees. Two such team members, Julien Da Cruz, who leads Finance and Accounting in Radiall North America, and Marc Bouyssou, Financial Controller at Radiall USA, are both licensed pilots who know firsthand the thrill and responsibility of taking to the skies. We asked them a series of questions about their experiences as pilots, what first inspired their love of flying and what advice they have for anyone considering learning to fly.

Q. What do you do at Radiall and how long have you been working here?

Marc: I am financial controller and I started working at Radiall in Paris in 2019 before joining Radiall USA in 2025.

Julien: I am in charge of Finance and Accounting for the Radiall North America Zone. I started more than 10 years ago and then moved here in Arizona, which is one the best places to fly because of the clear skies we get most of the year.

Q. Where did your love for flying/planes come from?

Marc: This passion comes from my father, who is a private pilot. I flew with him for the first time when I was 9, and it left a deep impression on me. Since then, I have been interested in planes, flying and the stories of old aviation pioneers. I also remember that, as a child, I used to watch planes flying across the sky from my bedroom window at night, wondering where they might be going.

Julien: I grew up one mile away from an airport back in France. When I was a kid, we would go with my brothers to see the airplanes landing and taking off. Quickly I knew that growing up I wanted to fly one. And even though I work in Finance and Accounting, my background is engineering. I also had a passion for machines and understanding them. I think this why I am attracted to them.

Q. How did you feel the first time you flew a plane?

Marc: I remember it very well; I was young and a bit nervous. As the little plane took off, I felt a new sensation that I loved, and over my shoulder, I looked at the surrounding houses getting smaller and smaller. I could see the world from a new perspective!

Julien: The very first time was somehow overwhelming: communication with ATC sounded like talking gibberish, it was loud, and everything was going so fast as so many different things had to be looked at. But I will always remember the amazing feeling of being in the cockpit and seeing for the first what is in front you as opposed to just seeing the side as you would sit on a commercial flight.

Q. What's your favorite thing about flying?

Marc: What I like best is looking at the landscape. When you are up in the sky, you can admire the scenery from a different angle and with a sense of freedom!

Julien: Although flying is a passion for me, I approach every flight like a mission. I carefully consider the weather, the airspace I’ll be crossing, the passengers and their experience with general aviation, the airplane’s performance and the type of terrain ahead—whether flatlands, mountains or water. I also think about whether I’ll be flying solo or with a copilot, and which procedures to follow for takeoff, navigation and landing. Bringing all these factors together to ensure a safe and successful flight is one of the things I truly enjoy.

But the true reason is the views you can have from the cockpit. In most general aviation, you fly somewhere in between 5,000 to 10,000 feet, when most of airlines are in the 35,000 plus range. You can better appreciate the view you get.

Q. Describe your most memorable flying experience.

Marc: I have got several! Of course, the first solo flight is unforgettable for every pilot! But if I had to choose one, I would say the first time I flew over the sea. I took off Paris and flew all the way to the Normandy coast!

Julien: I think one of most memorable flying experience for every pilot is the first time you fly solo. It happens early during flight training when you only have a few hours of training. When it happens I had strong mixed feelings between the accomplishment and the fear of being alone and not having one catching and fixing my mistakes.

Otherwise, my first flights when I moved to the US were pretty memorable. I was used to flying in France and when I came here flying over mostly desert felt like being another planet. The desert view from above is really different

Q. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to become a pilot or learn how to fly a plane?

Marc: I recommend visiting airfields and meeting members of flying clubs or schools. These people are very often enthusiasts and will be happy to answer your questions, guide you and share their passion.

Julien: Becoming a pilot is a great and truly rewarding process. One of the great advantages is that you can do it at your own pace. You will have to commit to it because it requires a lot of studying of different topics: weather theory, flight planning, understanding of airspaces, airplanes performances and limitations, airplane systems and human factors. I would recommend to go and see different flight schools and ask for a discovery flight that would introduce you to their fleet as well as their teaching techniques.