Ask Captain Lim ~ All about Aviation - Accountant seeking a career change

I am a chartered accountant and have been relatively successful in my professional life. I have just sold my business and I am looking for a career change.

Just what that is I am deciding now. But I have always had a long standing dream to be a pilot and fly throughout South East Asia.

My wife is Asian and our little boy Stirling is half.

I guess having the travel bug from a young age and traveling to 50 countries already a career living out of a suitcase for an extended period actually appeals to me. My wife is actually happy with it too as she wants me to pursue my dreams.

I have come across a number of schools in Australia that offer commercial pilot license - all over a period of 32 weeks.

But I would like to ask, where to after the training program? What are the normal moves if I am seeking a job in Asia?

How does one get to fly the most demanded aircraft if airlines only employ people with experience on those aircraft? It sounds like Catch-22.

Just what should the career path be for someone like me?

I am not doing this for money but I would like to be paid a reasonable wage.

I would be happy with any advice you could give and in general what are the chances of employment in Asian aviation and any career advice.

Regards,

Russell James Hatton

Hi Russell,

To be eligible to join an Asian airline as a cadet pilot, you have to be a citizen or PR of the country unless you come in as a Direct Entry pilot – meaning that you must already have some flying experience together with the necessary licenses.

Sad to say, private pilots are unlikely to get to fly or gain experience on planes such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330. Those who are given the training are normally sponsored by the airlines and bonded for a certain number of years. After the bonding is over, they can thereafter apply to join other airlines as pilots experienced on type for any new job offer.

Some newly graduated private pilots seek to do a rating on the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 (more preferable) on their own before applying for the airlines. Whilst this would be an advantage, there is no guarantee that some Asian airlines would hire such pilots because they still have to go through the same filtering processes.

I have written about the pilot’s career path many times before (more yet to be transferred here from my old site). Please read a previous FAQ on similar topic here.

I wish you all the luck in pursuing this new career.