Interview with Mihnea Istrate: Leadership, Passion, and Flight at Aerodromul Clinceni

Discover the story of Mihnea Istrate, pilot and Commander of Clinceni Aerodrome, sharing insights on courage, leadership, dreams, and the path to excellence in aviation.

You can often find Mihnea busy with airplanes or organizing things. While piloting was his first love, he is currently the Commander of Clinceni Aerodrome, constantly balancing between flying and office work. But he does something right, because he’s always smiling and manages to make your day better.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?

Mihnea Istrate: I promised myself many years ago that I would never do things halfway. That has often made situations more difficult for me, but it allows me each evening to rest my head on the pillow knowing that I did everything in my power regarding what depends on me. At the same time, the fact that I have always spoken my mind and acted accordingly has proven to be a tough but successful choice. And when things don’t go according to plan, I take responsibility, because it was 100% my own thinking.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

Mihnea Istrate: Having a high-risk taker profile may have found it rather difficult to fit in aviation, a field that is one of the safest in the world. Here I can honestly say that the main credit goes to my mentors, who always knew how to channel this way of being into projects where courage or unconventional thinking was needed.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Mihnea Istrate: My first major ambition was to fly. My earliest memory is of an airplane flying. Life often had other plans for me, but I never lost sight of that dream. Even though this dream has taken different forms over time, in recent years coordinating Clinceni Aerodrome—and with the focus no longer primarily on my own pilot career—I feel that every day I fulfill my dream, contributing to a story where other people also have the opportunity to experience flight, something that was never meant for everyone to do.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed up to now?

Mihnea Istrate: Like a sheet of paper on which you initially wrote a text carefully, neatly, without mistakes or erasures. Over time, you start adding, cutting, correcting, crumpling the paper; it gets stained and even tears in parts. But the essence is still there, strong, even if you have to read between the lines to discover it. I like to believe that I’ve kept my enthusiasm and my smile as I had on the first day, and I’m sure it’s written in my DNA and will never change.

C&B: If we met your collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Mihnea Istrate: That’s simple. They would tell you that I am very direct, jovial, maybe too idealistic, and have a romantic view of things.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?

Mihnea Istrate: In life, depending on the circumstances, there are several ways to “finish the game.” That is, how you reach the life you have always intended for yourself, the life you dream of. My most important achievement is realizing that, with the hand of cards life has dealt me, only through work and dedication can I finish the game.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural process or learned?

Mihnea Istrate: Leadership, from my perspective, is like calligraphy. Some people write beautifully on the first try, others improve their writing through hard work. And some will never write beautifully. I’ve inevitably learned many things over time, but I believe leadership is, first and foremost, a quality you either have or you don’t. There are people who enter a room, and silence falls. You either have that, or you don’t.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?

Mihnea Istrate: Every day is unpredictable for me. This is both exciting and demanding. And a day in which I have accomplished everything I wanted is a day I haven’t fully utilized to its maximum potential. You must always set your goals higher than what you can achieve; otherwise, you’ve aimed too low.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in your work, and how do you apply them daily?

Mihnea Istrate: I don’t lie. I’ve tried, but I get tangled in lies, and the most painful thing for me is to disappoint. And if I always tell the truth, I don’t have to remember anything, and it’s simple. I like keeping my promises; people you can truly rely on seem to be disappearing, and I want to represent that.

I like living with clarity. I like simple things, not complicated situations. I value consistency.

C&B: If you were to give a message to people who follow your example, what would it be?

Mihnea Istrate: Role models are very important in life. If I can be a role model for someone, it is the greatest honor. Never say “no” to any challenge. You will find a way to see it through. And always remember to have fun. I’m proud that I have wrinkles from smiling so much.

An inspirational interview about passion, responsibility, and determination, showing how the dream of flying can become a life mission and a model for others.