International flight school students getting to know Victoria from the air

Ryan Tai Jia Hoong, an international student who will be graduating from the Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot Training) this year, had an unusual way of getting to know Victoria – from the skies.

Flying isn’t a new human achievement. It was first invented 120 years ago, and more primitive forms of manned flight, such as gliding have been around since the 18th century. But it is perhaps one of our most remarkable.

For Ryan, it’s becoming “second nature”. He’s about to graduate from RMIT’s Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot Training), operated out of RMIT’s flight school in Point Cook.

“My favourite part of flying is the sense or feeling of lifting off from the ground and going on a long flight around the state,” he said.

“The fact that I can travel from point A to B safely and conducting that flight all by myself has been one of the most rewarding feelings. Flying is not a natural human behaviour, but with time this does get a little like driving to and from work every day.”

Originally from Hong Kong, Ryan’s journey was disrupted by – ironically – the grounding of almost all commercial flying.

“I entered in this program in Year 2 after completing some previous studies in Hong Kong.

It took me about two years and a half to complete my program,” he said.

“Due to COVID-19, I was unable to enter Australia and undergo the practical section of my course, which was of course, flying!”

Naturally, flying is most students’ favourite part of the course. For Ryan however, it was also a way of getting familiar with his new home.

“One of the biggest highlights of my time at RMIT Flight Training was getting up to my solo navigation exercises,” he said.

As I am an international student, there were already so many new things that I was seeing for the first time in Melbourne. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to also view the state of Victoria from the air as I flew around building my flying hours for my Commercial Pilot Licence.

“I have gotten to see a lot of impressive landmarks around the state such as the Grampians and the Twelve Apostles, which was one of the best things that I have seen from the air! The blue water with the golden structures really stood out to me.”

With so many highlights in the air, it’s no surprise that the theory often brings students back to earth. This was no different in Ryan’s case.

Getting through the seven Commercial Pilot theory exams with CASA was by far one of the hardest things I have had to go through,” he said.

“Preparation for those exams was key. There were concepts that were a little challenging and I struggled to have grasped them. However, I was fortunate enough to have had a very supportive group of friends at the flight school. We would normally stay at school from opening until the instructors close the building, studying, and helping each other out.”

Despite being caught up in the excitement of graduation, Ryan isn’t going anywhere yet. He says he’s still got more to achieve at RMIT, but that an industry career eventually awaits.

“I have re-enrolled into the Associate Degree in Aviation to complete my flight instructor rating. I do aim to hopefully be employed by RMIT Flight Training after the completion of the associate degree.”

“Down the line, I would like to progress into the commercial airline industry and work my way up from there. I hope to one day become trainer on an airliner, and help other people work on their own ambitions on flying passengers around safely.”

26 October 2023

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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International flight school students getting to know Victoria from the air