When you meet Envoy First Officer David Nelson Jr., you might not guess that his life is split between two very different stages: the flight deck and the concert hall. For David, flying and music aren’t separate callings, they’re parallel passions built on discipline, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.

In this installment of our “Double Life” series, we interview David to learn more about his passion for music and flight.

Rooted in Music

Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina music wasn’t just an activity, it was a way of life. Both of David’s parents were musicians. His dad played organ, his mom was a singer and his sister played flute. Surrounded by music at home, joining band in middle school felt inevitable. The instrument choice, however, was less predictable.

On the first day of band, his friends dared him to choose the tuba — the largest instrument in the room and the one no one else wanted to play! He accepted the challenge. A week later, he tried to switch to saxophone, but the band director informed him there were no openings. He was “stuck” with tuba. Looking back, he’s grateful for that closed door.

What he loves most about playing in an orchestra is the teamwork. An ensemble of 80–100 musicians from different backgrounds comes together with a shared purpose: creating something meaningful for the audience. Success requires leaving ego at the door, listening intently, and maintaining strong situational awareness.

“There are few things in life as exciting as sitting on stage playing great music with great musicians for an excited audience,” David says. “It’s right up there with teaching a new student how to land a plane.”

A Lifelong Pull Toward the Sky

While music was his primary pursuit, aviation was always quietly present in the background. He remembers watching his dad play Microsoft Flight Simulator as a child. His uncle, a former fighter pilot and now a captain at a major cargo carrier, also served as an inspiration. Even so, he chose to follow music professionally. He worked hard, embraced the journey, and built his life around performance until 2020 changed everything.

When the pandemic shut down live music, David began exploring other career paths. With a long-standing interest in military service, he started researching what it would take to become a naval aviator like his uncle. To test whether aviation was more than a curiosity, he began working toward his private pilot’s license.

Flight training gave David a renewed purpose and he quickly noticed striking similarities between music and aviation: the structured process of improvement, the discipline, and the commitment to getting just 1% better every day.

From early in his training, David had his eye on Envoy. The bases, pay and quality of life, the opportunity to fly the Embraer 175, and the flow to American Airlines all made it an appealing destination. Today, his favorite part of the job is the constant variety.

“No two flights are the same,” David says. “There is always something new to learn.”

Music and the Flight Deck: More Similar Than You’d Think

Looking back, David is struck by how closely music and aviation mirror one another.

“Playing at a high level requires having an organized approach to accomplishing a goal, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure,” says David. “The same is true for professional pilots – You have to be able to keep pressing forward, even after a failure.”

It’s no coincidence that many musicians find their way into aviation. His tuba teacher at the New England Conservatory is an instrument-rated pilot. One of his classmates at Envoy is a professional trumpet player. They’ve often joked that being a professional musician and a professional pilot are nearly the same — just different applications of the same mindset.

Both demand preparation. Both demand humility. Both reward precision and teamwork.

Advice for Aspiring Aviators

For those considering aviation — especially those who didn’t start at 16 or major in aeronautical science — his advice is simple: Talk to people in the industry. Network. Make a plan.

“Aviation is filled with people from diverse paths and it is never too late to get started,” shared David. “If you really want it, go for it. Just don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way.”