Female CEO becomes pilot after three months of training

“Flying a plane isn’t like driving a car. Once you’re in the air, you’ve got to land. There’s neither stopping on the way nor calling for help,” Huong remarked after receiving her pilot’s license on July 4.

As the CEO of Bluesky Airways, Huong has always dreamed of piloting a private plane. This summer, she set aside her work to enroll in Viet Fly Training School in Vietnam.

The school’s curriculum covers both theory and practice, ensuring graduates are equipped to fly safely, using modern aircraft for training.

Huong emphasized that neither age nor gender should be seen as obstacles to becoming a pilot, particularly for private aircraft.

Maintaining a pilot’s license requires good health. Pilots undergo regular health checks, and a valid health certificate is necessary when flying.

In addition to health, English proficiency is essential. All learning materials and communications with air traffic control (ATC) are in English. Pilots must also pass an ICAO English test.

“Learning to fly also involves financial investment. The cost for one hour of flight ranges from $250 to $350, depending on the aircraft,” Huong shared.

Reflecting on her training, Huong noted that while the theory was manageable, the practical aspect required resilience and stress management. Landing the aircraft was particularly challenging, with stall recovery being the most difficult.

“In a stall, the plane’s nose drops, and altitude is quickly lost. I could see the ground rushing up below. If I couldn’t recover, the plane would crash from thousands of feet,” Huong recounted.

Huong and her teacher checking the engine compartment. Photo courtesy of Huong

As a woman, she found the physical demands more challenging than her male peers, particularly with landings. It took significant practice for her to master this skill. The frustration and self-doubt she felt early on drove her to work even harder, sacrificing sleep and leisure to improve.

Balancing her training with her work as CEO was difficult. She attended classes during office hours, checked emails and reports during breaks, and studied late into the night.

Despite the challenges, Huong found the subjects fascinating, particularly aerodynamics, meteorology, and human factors in flying.

To pass the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam’s exam, she had to complete a series of emergency landing tests, handling scenarios like bad weather, equipment failures, and even engine loss.

Huong said she’s always full of joy after every flight. Photo courtesy of Huong

Looking ahead, Huong plans to continue developing her piloting skills and join flying clubs to connect with other pilots and share experiences.

“I want to inspire young people to pursue their dreams,” she said.