PILOT – AUTHOR – TRAINER – KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Cordula Pflaum
Welcome aboard my aviation world!
I believe in connecting with people through personal experiences and stories, serving as a role model. I shed light on what it means to work in psychologically safe teams and how mental health can be strengthened. My commitment extends beyond the skies because I believe in the development of teams and individuals to create safer work environments.
Learning through personal growth and encounters is my philosophy.
PILOT – AUTHOR – TRAINER – KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Cordula Pflaum
Welcome aboard my aviation world!
I believe in connecting with people through personal experiences and stories, serving as a role model. I shed light on what it means to work in psychologically safe teams and how mental health can be strengthened. My commitment extends beyond the skies because I believe in the development of teams and individuals to create safer work environments.
Learning through personal growth and encounters is my philosophy.
„Clear in purpose, gentle with people.“
My Story
„For over three decades …“
…have I been immersed in the fascinating world of aviation, where I live out my passion as a pilot. As a Training Captain for Airbus A330/A340/A350, my goal is not only to transport people from one place to another but also to demonstrate globally, across various industries, how psychologically safe teams can be cultivated through training, workshops, and keynotes.
Overcoming Challenges
The concepts of safety culture and a well-established error culture are central to me. How can these concepts contribute to a safe working environment? As a leader constantly dealing with changing teams in the daily flight operations, I describe how I tackle these challenges.
Strengthening Mental Health
In close collaboration with renowned institutions such as the “Klinikum rechts der Isar”, “TUM”, and the “AO Foundation”, I have developed these skills with the Human Factors Academy and transferred them to the medical world through Human Factors Competency Trainings. How can companies proactively take measures to strengthen the mental health of their employees? This question deeply concerns me. Through my long-standing work in Peer Support, especially in the Critical Incident Stress Management of the Mayday Foundation, I demonstrate how processing critical incidents in professional life can increase resilience. My support of Corinna Cremer and the skyminds Foundation which is dedicated to safeguarding and fortifying mental health within organizations has become very important to me.
Sharing Experiences
I have now also published my first book, “Good day, this is your captain”, in which I give a look behind the scenes of flight operations and talk about what it means to be a woman in this industry. It is my vision to share my knowledge and experiences to contribute to a safer and healthier working world. I am also now a member of the Premium Leaders Club Germany as a speaker and pass on my experiences there. Furthermore, I am now part of the expert team at C-Lab. C-Lab supports people and organizations in navigating the modern working world by helping with the evidence-based further development or realignment of modern corporate culture and innovative leadership understanding.
MY REFERENCES
Strong Partnerships
Respect
Respect for every individual is at the forefront of every interaction
Responsibility
I take responsibility for everything I do and measure myself by it
Trust
Trust is the foundation of good collaboration
Humility
Approaching the forces of nature and humanity with humility and mindfulness
MY JOURNEY
The world is my home
#1 GRADUATION FROM FLIGHT SCHOOL
#2 CAPTAIN / TO THE LEFT SEAT
#3 WORLDWIDE HUMAN FACTORS TRAINER
#4 TRAINING CAPTAIN
#5 PEER SUPPORT / MENTAL HEALTH
#6 Author
For over 34 years, I have been passionately and wholeheartedly involved in the aviation industry. My exciting journey began in 1994 as a commercial pilot with Lufthansa Passage Airlines. Throughout my 29-year career, I have not only gained extensive experience as a pilot but have also led a team of up to 16 professionals as a commander for 18 years.
However, my expertise extends beyond the cockpit. At Lufthansa Aviation Training GmbH, I have served as an assessor, developer, and trainer in recent years. In this role, I have conducted training and coaching in various sectors, both internally and externally. Additionally, I have developed and implemented HR projects to promote the development of professionals.
A highlight of my career was my involvement in the project team for the introduction of the A350 at Lufthansa. As a project team member, I contributed to the development and implementation of a training plan that ensured a smooth introduction in February 2017.
My expertise also extends beyond the aviation industry. As the author of a book to be published by Penguin Random House in March 2024, I share my experiences and insights.
Throughout my career, I have delved deeply into human factors. As the initiator and host of the LH Human Factors Action Group, I have created platforms to promote safety and a culture of learning from mistakes. The establishment of websites, podcasts, and conferences reflects my commitment. As the responsible CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) officer for the cockpit at Lufthansa and as a member of the Peer Support Foundation Mayday since 2002, I actively support the psychological well-being of colleagues.
I believe in the development of teams and individuals. Through workshops and training in safety culture, error culture, Crew Resource Management, and more, I contribute to forming psychologically safe teams. My international collaboration with various airlines demonstrates my versatility and willingness to learn and share across industries.
With a clear focus on development and safety promotion, I use my expertise to help people and organizations unleash their potential and create safer working environments.
Podcasts & Shows
Hear more from me
interviews
Live and in color
BR Fernsehen – Wir in Bayern
Our Guest is pilot and author Cordula Pflaum
ARD – nachtlinie
Cordula Pflaum has been taking off regulary for more than three decades.
MDR um 4: Gäste zum Kaffee
Cordula Pflaum always wanted to reach great heights and the Franconian woman has achieved this impressively.
BR Abendschau
Flugkapitänin Cordula Pflaum
rbb – Talk aus Berlin
Cordula Pflaum -Ausbildungspilotin
NDR – buten un binnen
Flugkapitänin Cordula Pflaum
SWR1 Leute: Cordula Pflaum
Flugkapitänin Cordula Pflaum
contact
Curious for more?
If you have expressed interest in exchanging ideas with me, you can schedule a meeting with me through Calendly.
Contact information
E-Mail Adress
NEWS: MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 2024)
Good day, it’s your captain speaking!
Every year, billions of people use airplanes. But how much do we really know about aviation? Cordula Pflaum offers an exciting behind-the-scenes look at a universe that most only scratch the surface of. Still, few suspect that a woman can fly a passenger aircraft. Sometimes, Cordula Pflaum even hears a startled murmur from the cabin when she introduces herself as the flight’s captain during an announcement. After her training, she was the 20th pilot at Lufthansa and the first training pilot for long-haul flights. Pflaum openly addresses concerns and prejudices, debunks outdated clichés, and places the person behind the controls at the center of attention.
NEWS: MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 2024)
Good day, it’s your captain speaking!
Every year, billions of people use airplanes. But how much do we really know about aviation? Cordula Pflaum offers an exciting behind-the-scenes look at a universe that most only scratch the surface of. Still, few suspect that a woman can fly a passenger aircraft. Sometimes, Cordula Pflaum even hears a startled murmur from the cabin when she introduces herself as the flight’s captain during an announcement. After her training, she was the 20th pilot at Lufthansa and the first training pilot for long-haul flights. Pflaum openly addresses concerns and prejudices, debunks outdated clichés, and places the person behind the controls at the center of attention.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Always on the move
Febuary 04, 2025:
Reading at the Bamberger Literaturfestival BAMLIT25
My media presence
Press echo
