Flying an aircraft through turbulence, managing complex systems, and reading situations before they happen are our specialty.
However, outside aviation, there’s another skill we need if we want to thrive in business. And that’s the ability to build the right network.
This is where the 7-11-4 formula comes in.
It’s a simple method that turns strangers into trusted partners by focusing on quality time, genuine connection, and consistent follow-ups.
Let’s discuss how you, as a pilot, can use this method to build connections.
Key Takeaways
- Aviation networks are valuable, but limited: Staying only within the industry is like flying with one navigation system. You need connections in new sectors to grow.
- 7-11-4 formula: 7 hours of interaction, 11 touchpoints, and 4 different settings build real trust faster than chance meetings.
- Flight deck lessons apply to business: Trust quickly, communicate clearly, and aim for shared objectives just like on your first day as a First Officer.
- Your next chapter starts now: Building your network ensures you’re ready for life after flying.
Why Isn’t Our Aviation Network Enough?
Our aviation network is strong. We trust people we’ve flown with because they’ve proven themselves in high-stakes situations.
But the real problem is that all of them are in the same industry we’re trying to move beyond. They might understand our mindset, but they can’t always open doors in new sectors.
In business, growth depends on who can connect you to fresh opportunities. If your entire network is made of pilots, engineers, and crew, you’re fishing in the same small pond. The water’s familiar, but the supply is limited.
How the 7-11-4 Formula Works
The 7-11-4 formula is all about building trust quickly. According to marketing research, people require 7 hours of interaction, 11 touchpoints, and 4 different locations before feeling ready to work with you.
Think of it as a trust-building checklist.
- The 7 hours don’t have to be in one go. They can be spread across various channels, including coffee chats, calls, events, and even video messages. The key is consistent, meaningful interaction.
- The 11 touchpoints are moments when someone sees or hears from you. It could be a LinkedIn post, a podcast appearance, a workshop, or a casual lunch. Every touchpoint adds a small piece to the trust puzzle.
- The 4 settings make the connection feel real. Meet them at a networking event, talk over coffee, collaborate on a project, and interact on social media. Each setting shows a different side of you.
When you follow this formula, you’re not “selling” yourself.
You’re simply showing up enough, in the right ways, until people naturally trust and remember you.
This is especially important in a world where parasocial relationships dominate, those one-sided connections we form with people we see often but don’t actually know.
It’s how you feel like you know Tom Cruise after binge-watching Top Gun.
Pilot’s Fast-Track Networking Action Plan
Transitioning from the cockpit to business requires a strategy as precise as your preflight checklist. The 7-11-4 formula offers a simple but powerful way to create strong connections in a short time.
Each step builds on the last, so following them in order will make your network both broader and deeper.
Step 1: Identify the Right People to Connect With
Before you start networking, you need to decide who is worth your time. Focus on 20–30 professionals outside of aviation in industries where your skills can be transferred.
Start by searching LinkedIn for professionals with relevant titles. Join online communities where these people gather. Attend at least one local or virtual event per month that draws your target audience.
Step 2: Maintain Consistent Contact
Once you have your list, it’s not enough to create it and then disappear. You need consistent, meaningful interaction.
Research shows that it takes an average of 11 touchpoints before a business relationship starts producing real value. The “11” in the 7-11-4 formula is your reminder to create multiple, well-timed engagements over months.
These touchpoints can be varied:
- Commenting on their LinkedIn posts.
- Attending the same industry webinars
- Meeting for coffee or lunch
Spread these interactions over several months so you stay on their radar without overwhelming them.
Step 3: Build Trust Through Reliability
Trust is the foundation of every business relationship.
A recent survey found that 70% of professionals believe reliability is the most important factor in building trust. For pilots, this is second nature.
Apply this same discipline to networking.
Always follow up when you say you will. If you promise to share a resource, send it within 24 hours. Moreover, when you agree to attend an event, show up on time. Over time, these small actions make you a respected contact in your network.
Step 4: Leverage LinkedIn as Your Main Hub
LinkedIn is the most effective B2B networking tool available today. Around 80% of B2B leads come from LinkedIn.
For you, this means it’s the perfect place to stay visible and relevant.
Post insights once or twice a week. These can be lessons from aviation that apply to business, market trends you’ve noticed, or commentary on industry news.
Moreover, comment thoughtfully on posts from your connections so they see your name more often. Don’t forget to use LinkedIn’s search to find mutual connections and request warm introductions.
Step 5: Apply the 7-11-4 Formula Over Time
The 7-11-4 formula means:
- 7 hours of meaningful interaction over time
- 11 touchpoints to build familiarity
- 4 different settings to deepen the connection
Plan your calendar to meet these numbers within 6–9 months. For example, a coffee meeting counts as one setting, a webinar as another, and online discussions as a third. This variety ensures your relationship grows naturally.
Lessons from the Flight Deck That Apply to Business Networks
Stepping into the cockpit as a First Officer on your first day can feel almost identical to walking into a business room full of strangers.
In both cases, you have to build trust fast, communicate clearly, and work toward shared goals. The stakes might be different, but the principles are surprisingly the same. Here are the lessons that you can take from the flight deck to business:
1. Trust Quickly
On your first flight, you have no time to spend weeks figuring out if your Captain is reliable. You trust the process, the training, and the shared mission. The same rule applies in business networking.
Instead of waiting months to “see” if someone is trustworthy, give them the benefit of the doubt. This openness encourages them to trust you in return.
Just like in aviation, where you can’t take off without trusting your co-pilot, in business, you can’t move forward without mutual confidence.
2. Clear Communication
In the cockpit, miscommunication can be dangerous. That’s why pilots use short, direct, and precise language.
The same approach works in business.
A LinkedIn survey found that 86% of employees and executives cited poor communication as the main reason for workplace failures.
When you meet someone in a professional setting, be clear about who you are, what you do, and how you can help.
Just as “cleared for takeoff” leaves no room for misinterpretation, your words in business should be equally easy to act on.
Ready to Take Your Business Network to New Altitudes?
Just like a flight depends on teamwork, trust, and clear objectives, your business success depends on the network you build.
If you approach it with the same discipline and mindset as a pilot, you’ll find your opportunities taking off faster than you imagined.
But, are you prepared for life after flying?
The Life After the Sky Checklist is designed to help pilots see how ready they truly are for building a thriving post-aviation business life. It’s the perfect pre-flight check for your next chapter.
Invitation to Join Our FREE Strategy Session
Most pilots are one honest conversation away from clarity, and this is that conversation.
Complete our “Life After the Sky” checklist, then join our founder and current international airline pilot, Tevin Mulavu, for his FREE 15-minute “Strategy Session” via Zoom.
This session has been created for pilots who want to take ownership of what comes next.
Those who want action, not just to talk about it.
In just 15 minutes, we’ll:
- Review your checklist results
- Identify the one obstacle holding back your reinvention
- Translate your checklist results into a clear starting point
Start your pre-flight assessment for the next chapter of your journey by Booking your free strategy session here!
