Testimonials

“Hope doesn’t come first — perseverance does.” This belief perfectly captures the journey of Fred Chan, a graduate of the first class of HKIAA’s Cadet Pilot Programme.

Fred had dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood. After graduating from university, he worked in several different industries; yet, his passion for flying never waned. However, with limited pathways to becoming a pilot in Hong Kong, his dream often felt distant. When HKIAA launched the Cadet Pilot Programme, it reignited a long-awaited sense of possibility. Fred seized the opportunity without hesitation, leaving behind a stable job to pursue the career he had always wanted.

You Only Live Once — Grasp the Opportunity

“In Hong Kong, the pathways to becoming a pilot are limited. For many people, the profession feels out of reach. This Cadet Pilot Programme opened a new runway for us — a real chance to pursue our flying dreams,” Fred recalled. He applied on the very first day of enrolment and officially restarted his journey toward the cockpit.

Fred first completed an approximately six-month Theoretical Knowledge Instruction (TKI) course in Hong Kong, covering 15 modules including principles of flight, meteorology, and navigation. Although he was older than many of his classmates, he saw this as an advantage — his mindset was steadier, and he could stay focused even under a tight training schedule.

Upon completion of the TKI examinations, Fred proceeded to Flying Training at IASCO Flight Training in California, United States, where he spent approximately eight months completing training on both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft, as well as instrument flying on flight training devices. 

Throughout the programme, Fred maintained strict self-discipline, managing his time carefully and balancing study with rest. “Only with discipline can you excel in such an intensive training environment,” he said.

The challenges, however, were far greater than he expected. “When we first arrived, the biggest shock was the heat — temperatures reached 50°C in California!” he recalled. The scorching cockpit, thin air, and reduced aircraft performance all tested his adaptability. He quickly learned that real-world flying is far from textbook perfect, and unexpected situations require calm, flexible responses. He learned to handle wind shear, cloud layers, and other unfavourable conditions. “This training taught me how to manage unexpected situations — a skill that is crucial for my future career.”

Amongst all the training, night flying left the deepest impression. “During the day, you can rely on the horizon. At night, you depend entirely on instruments and your instructor. It’s extremely challenging. The night view was beautiful, but I had no time to admire it. Maintaining speed, altitude, and rate of climb or descent was all that mattered for safety.”

Graduation — Beginning the Journey Toward Becoming a Captain

After completing his flying training in the United States, Fred returned to Hong Kong for a two-week Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) Course. With the integrated programme completed, he obtained a Hong Kong Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and received an offer to join HK Express as a Second Officer, marking the official start of his airline pilot career. 

Fred shared that he had already received conditional offers from two airlines during his TKI courses in Hong Kong. For him, one of the greatest strengths of the programme is the clear career pathway it provides for cadets.

“I believe discipline defines a pilot’s journey. Throughout a pilot’s decades-long career, there will be countless assessments and challenges. Even during low moments, you must hold on to your belief, trust yourself, and keep moving forward. My goal is to become a captain — someone capable, respected, and ready to take on greater responsibility.”

With perseverance, discipline, and passion, Fred has taken his first steps from dreamer to aviator — and is now flying confidently toward the skies he has always longed for.