Midlife career changers take to the skies
發佈日期: 2025-05-23 19:50
TVB News
Many people believe getting pilot qualifications are not easy, especially during mid-career, but there are people who have made the leap.
Even people who wear glasses can make the grade if they pass the vision test, though pilots cannot be colour blind.
At this flight school in Redding, California, this student, Gary, from Hong Kong, is practicing manoeuvres. Two years ago, he was still designing buildings, he says he has been looking forward to flying since childhood, but then found that he liked arts subjects and was not at maths. He spent 12 years in architecture before switching to aviation, realising aviation calculations mainly require basic maths.
Nearby, Tyle, who is in his 40s, made a life changing decision to leave his career as a driving instructor last year, and pursue his flying dream. The career switch cost him 800,000 Hong Kong dollars in training fees, and made him question whether it was a right path. He says since the opportunity came while he still had the energy, he should give it his best shot and leave no regrets.
The 18 month pilot training program required Tyle to spend 8 months in the U.S., separating him from his family back in Hong Kong, which was especially difficult when there were family emergencies. There was a time when he nearly gave up. He appreciates his wife's unwavering support, which was what kept him going. And his wife would handle everything in Hong Kong. As Tyle approaches graduation, his wife made a trip to the U.S. She says what matters most is for him to return home safely.
