Looked Up and Never Looked Back

Hi everyone, I’m Joel. At the time of writing this, I’m in the midst of line training on the Airbus A320 with a local low-cost carrier. This chapter still feels surreal—especially when I think about how far this journey has come.

Me with one of my flight instructors (superimposed)

We all start the same way—Looking up

For some, it’s a passing glance. For others, it’s a quiet spark that never fades.

I wasn’t born in a cockpit. I started my career as a physiotherapist, grounded in purpose and helping others heal. But the sky kept calling—softly at first, then louder over the years. This is the story of how I finally listened, changed course, and learned that it’s never too late to fly.

No Fear of Failure, Only Regret

Like many others, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. I applied to a local airline’s cadet program—hopeful, excited, and ready to chase that dream. I made it through most of the process but didn’t pass the final interview. With the cost of self-sponsored training being so high, the dream felt out of reach.

So, I stayed grounded—literally. I worked as a registered physiotherapist for over eight years. It was meaningful work, and I’m thankful I had the chance to make a difference in people’s lives. But deep down, the dream of flying never really went away.

Eventually, I found myself at a crossroads:

"Stay where it’s safe, or take the leap and chase what I’d always wanted?"

A quote that stayed with me during that time was:

“Don’t be afraid of failure. Be terribly afraid of regret.”

It was that line that pushed me to explore my options seriously, and eventually—it changed everything.

My batchmates at 66 Seletar Aerospace View before the shift to JTC Aviation Two.

The First Step—Revion Ground School

In 2019, a friend who was training as a cadet pilot introduced me to Revion Ground School. After doing my research and connecting with Youhao, things started to fall into place. I took an assessment interview with him and L3 Airline Academy in New Zealand, and soon after, I enrolled in Revion’s Integrated ATPL course (part-time)—marking the true beginning of my journey to the skies.

It felt like standing at the foot of a mountain. I came from a completely different field with zero background in aviation. The 14 ATPL subjects looked daunting, and I wasn’t sure I had what it took.

But from the moment I walked into Revion, something shifted.

The learning environment was special. Youhao and Mr Wong, our instructors, had a way of breaking down complex concepts into something understandable. Their teaching wasn’t just technical—it was thoughtful and full of real-world examples. They didn’t just teach us how to pass—they taught us how to think like pilots.

What stood out most was the sense of community. At Revion, we weren’t competing—we were growing together. We shared notes, helped each other through tough topics, and celebrated small wins along the way. That collaborative spirit made a world of difference.

And whenever we lost focus or felt overwhelmed, Youhao was always there—checking in, sharing resources, and guiding us back on track. His support turned a challenging journey into a personal one.

RGS08 celebrating small wins together over a meal.

When the World Stopped Flying

I was scheduled to begin flight training in mid-2020—but then the pandemic hit. The world came to a standstill, and so did my dream.

To make matters worse, L3 Airline Academy ceased operations in New Zealand in early 2021. Just like that, the training path I had worked so hard to prepare for disappeared.

It was an incredibly uncertain time. Everything I had planned, saved for, and committed to felt like it was on pause. But healthcare was one of the few industries still standing strong, so I returned to physiotherapy. In the midst of chaos, it gave me purpose and stability while I waited for the skies to reopen.

Eventually, I resumed flight training with Revion’s new partner, Flight Training Adelaide (FTA)—a school with over three decades of airline training excellence. They trained cadets for leading airlines like Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Starlux.

Their modern fleet of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft, equipped with Garmin glass cockpit technology, set the tone for a professional and challenging experience.

FTA apron at Parafield Airport, South Australia.

Learning to Fly, and Learning Myself

Let me be honest—motivation doesn’t always make things easy.

I struggled with landings. The shift from theory to actual flying was rough. There were moments when I questioned myself, when the doubt crept in.

But with my instructors’ guidance and patience, things slowly came together. Bit by bit, confidence replaced hesitation. I found my rhythm. And eventually—I started to enjoy flying.

With one of my flight instructors on a Diamond DA40.

Solo time-building was a highlight of my training. There was something incredibly freeing about flying alone—navigating between aerodromes, practising manoeuvres, and landing on all kinds of surfaces: asphalt, grass, and gravel. It helped me grow—not just as a pilot but as a person.

Cross-country flight with Charlene and Sarah at Naracoorte Airport.

One unforgettable moment was a long-distance cross-country flight with my Singaporean course mates, Sarah and Charlene. We flew across states, covering more than six hours of flight time and tracing parts of the Australian coastline. It wasn’t just a training flight—it was a shared memory I’ll always hold onto.

Then came the multi-engine and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training on the DA42. That’s when it all started to feel real. Flying at night, watching sunsets from the sky, cloud surfing, and shooting instrument approaches—these were the moments that reminded me why I fell in love with flying in the first place.

Adelaide city lights weaving a sparkling story beneath the wings.

Chasing the sun, one horizon at a time.

Fueling up for the next adventure in the Diamond DA42.

And in between the flying? We had fun too. There were festive celebrations, spontaneous road trips, and friendships with cadets from around the world. We laughed, learned, and formed a second family.

Birthday goals: mountains of nuggets (with Cathay Pacific mates)

Tossing up good fortune and fresh beginnings with Skymark mates — Happy Chinese New Year!

Serving farm-fresh looks and strawberries at Beerenberg Farm.

A Dream, Finally in Reach

Just shy of a year into training, I earned my Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

Licensed to fly (and flex a little) #PilotGang

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without years of saving (honestly), the unwavering patience of my instructors, and the encouragement of coursemates—both Singaporean and international—who lifted me through every high and low.

Our dreams took flight – together.

With my CPL in hand, I took a deep breath and started applying for jobs. I sent applications to two local airlines and a few international carriers. It was that familiar feeling—hopeful, nervous, cautiously optimistic.

But this time, it was different.

I passed the assessments, the interview, and the psychometric test, and finally, in September 2024, I was officially inducted into the company.

It was a moment I’ll never forget, not just because of what it meant but because of everything it took to get there—the setbacks, the detours, the quiet persistence.

To Those Still Looking Up

The road to the cockpit isn’t always direct. Mine definitely wasn’t. I started late, faced delays, and took the long way around.

But the dream never faded. And neither did my will to chase it.

Dark cockpit, brighter future. A320 after hours.

If you’re standing where I once stood, wondering if it’s too late or too hard—remember this:

"You don’t have to start early. You just have to start."

The sky will always be there. Don’t let regret be the reason you never reach it.