Flights would not be possible without pilots. They take us to our destinations and keep us safe. If we think about it, how do our flying heroes protect themselves in the midst of a pandemic?

Social media personality and commercial pilot Mann Ed Demalata believes in staying healthy holistically.

He shares the list of things he does to equip himself for each flight, given the looming risk of a virus at present.

1) Never fly hungry.

"Unless fasting on purpose, I avoid flying with an empty stomach to save myself from having to eat on-board. Eating requires constantly removing the mask, potentially exposing one to the virus. While we have in flight crew meals provided, I eat light beforehand."

2) Take vitamins C, D, and zinc.

“I observed an increase in my appetite when I take a lot of vitamin supplements. That is why I narrowed down my vitamin intake to just vitamin C. I just add zinc and vitamin D to the set these days for added protection. I discuss with my brother who is a doctor which ones I need to prioritize.”

3) Inhale, exhale, and stretch.

“We cannot underestimate the relaxing power of deep breathing. I visualize breathing in positive energy and breathing out the bad vibrations. That serves as a quick meditation for my much-needed clarity as I make a lot of decisions during a flight. While I would love to squeeze in a workout, flights are beginning to pick up again and time is constrained. Cardio workouts 2-3 times a week are typically ideal for pilots, as our work requires a lot of physical and mental energy.”

4) Make disinfecting a habit.

“I always take an alcohol spray with me and pump it generously all over my body before, during, and after flights. Inside the cockpit, I make sure to disinfect controls with disinfecting wipes as well.”

5) Pause and pray.

“Flying is fulfilling, and it is a job I feel grateful for each waking day. My way of connecting with God is through prayer. I pray not only for myself but for the safety of my cabin crew and passengers. These days, my prayer also includes the request for this pandemic to end."

With 233,000 followers on Instagram, Mann Ed uses his platform to inspire others and give them a glimpse of his career. The growing interest in the former showbiz aspirant led him to be tapped by VCM The Celebrity Source to be a talent. He is more than ready to let his career take off and reach new heights.

“The agency just saw me online, and I’m glad the team loved the content I offer. I feel grateful for the trust, and I am excited about the upcoming projects,” Mann Ed shared. "I must admit there is added pressure, but I use that to fuel my creativity. I am just thrilled that I get to juggle being a pilot and a content creator."

Mann Ed is also celebrating his 10th year today as an airline pilot. He made history as one of the youngest captains in 2016.

“They say parang nasa hukay din ang isang paa namin kapag nagpapalipad kami. It’s really not an easy job. Funny because wala namang hukay sa himpapawid. We’re all like floating and at the same time dreaming. I make things light. I smile at every passenger. I always fly with gratefulness and kindness sa puso ko dahil feeling ko, safe ako nun, safe ang pagpapalipad ko kapag hindi mabigat ang puso ko. We will all beat this COVID-19. A lot of flight crews lost their jobs during pandemic at naniniwala akong makakabalik na rin sila,” he ended positively.

For aspiring pilots, follow Mann Ed Demalata on Instagram @pilotoncall for inspiring videos.