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FireFlyz ~ 59
Impromptu
All smiles on the flight deck.
Loving the beach and sun.
What sort of skills andknowledge is needed for your position?
We have to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and aminimumof 1500 hours flight
time, coupledwith studying for various exams such as navigation,meteorology, flight
planning, electrics, engines and aerodynamics, among others. I also have tomanage our
teamof highly qualified professionals on board each flight and liaisewith other teams
within our airline including Engineering andOperations.
Whatwere youdoingprior tobeingappointeda Firefly Captain?
I worked in the UK and Europewith Fedex (ATR 72 Cargo), followed by worldwide flying
on the Boeing 747 (Jumbo) with Air Atlanta (Saudia Airlines/Mas Kargo) and Jett8
Singapore.
Howmuchhas your previous experiencehelpedyou inyour current role?
My early experienceworking in the fastmovingworld of International Forexmarkets
includingmanaging teams of traders followed by around 25 years of flyingwith
colleagues frommany different countries and cultures enablesme to carry outmy duties
safely and efficiently.
What is a typical day for anairline captain like you?
Every day is different according tomymonthly roster. I report for duty between 6amto
7amor around 2pmor 3pm. Usually, I will be scheduled for four flights a day, occasionally
two or five. I live just a fewminutes drive to Subang Skypark, so I make sure to have
a goodmeal before leaving for work,
together with Firefly refreshments during
flights. I do quite like the Curry Puffs!
What do you like themost about
your job?
I really enjoy flying and feel privileged
to see the ever changing view fromthe
flight deck. It is also great to see the smile
of young children nowand again if they
happen to give us awave after the flight.
What is themost challengingpart
of your job?
Theweather. Here inMalaysiawe do expe-
rience the occasional tropical downpour,
dependent on the time of year. However
with the help of accurateweather reports
and advanced technology on board our
modern fleet, we can safely navigate our
path to avoid them.
Howdo youmanage toachieve a
work- lifebalance?
On days off I like to keep fit in the pool
or at the gym,most likely followed by
dinner with friends and perhaps a visit to
venuewith livemusic. I also enjoy sailing
as often as possible around the beautiful
islands of Langkawi and Thailand.
If youwerenot a captain for the
airline,whatwouldyouprobably
be?
I also enjoy life on the ocean, so I would
most likely be a Ship Captain.
Do youhave anypartingwords
ofwisdomto share for thosewho
wish towork inyour industry?
Aviation is booming right now so there
aremany differing opportunities to
get involved in. If you really want to do
something, youwill somehowfindway,
even if itmeans doingmultiple jobs to
finance your ambitions. Just go for it!
Do sharewithus one of your
memorable travel experience
eitherwith friends or family.
I obviously regularly fly to every one of
our destinations, which all have their own
individual attractions.We are regular
passengers on Firefly flights to Langkawi,
which gives us the chance to relax and
enjoy the breath-taking scenery around
itsmany islands.