September 23, 2023
Pilot Profile: Gabriel Ng – Gaining An RPL
From early on, Gabriel Ng had his sights set on a career in aviation. Flying was always on his mind growing up in Singapore, a global aviation powerhouse. Now 21 years old, Gabriel is the proud owner of a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) and is enthusiastically studying Aeronautical Engineering with visions of attaining a cadetship back home to continue his journey in the world of aviation.
Beginning the RPL Journey
This is our first aviation medical examination FAQ. You should talk to your Aviation Flight School
Gabriel initially embarked on his flying journey with a few lessons in Singapore, however, the cost factor led him to explore more economical options. That’s when he discovered that Australia could provide the learning experience he was seeking at an affordable level. He began searching for providers and stumbled upon Learn To Fly. The rest, as they say, is history.
With a strong desire to kickstart my aviation career early on, Gabriel aimed to secure his pilot’s license as soon as possible, even though he was still quite young and a fair distance away from being eligible for his country’s cadetship program. Despite this, he wanted to test his abilities by attempting to obtain a pilot’s licence in a remarkably short span of 3-4 months.
Venturing Abroad
Gabriel travelled to Melbourne to begin his Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) flight training, forming a strong bond with his fellow students, instructors and Learn To Fly staff. “It felt like a close-knit family,” he said, reminiscing on his time in Melbourne. He worked hard on his studies, quickly progressing with both theory and practical skills.
All his hard work came to a head when Gabriel completed his first solo on March 23, 2023 at 7:03pm. He remembers the time exactly. “The sky still retained its brightness.” he said “Flying alone for the first time left an indelible mark, making it a truly unforgettable and cherished experience.”
Despite his resounding success at acquiring his RPL, Gabriel was not without challenges along the way. He found that undertaking a solo flight was quite anxiety-inducing, due to the need to successfully complete a meticulous check ride before gaining approval for it. Meeting the rigorous standards becomes crucial for progress, and it was disheartening for him to not meet the solo check ride criteria, leading to missed opportunities for a solo flight, particularly when weather conditions are optimal. He also found Melbourne’s persistently unfavourable weather, characterized by unending low ceiling clouds and rain, a challenge to deal with. Victorian pilots will likely know the feeling of being ready for a flight and being let down by the weather. Gabriel persisted nonetheless, keen to obtain his RPL in a short time.
Future Plans
Currently back in Singapore and serving in the Singapore Army, Gabriel is planning his return to Melbourne in May 2025 to undertake his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) with Learn To Fly. He’s excited to get into the cockpit of our Diamond DA40, and to propel his already budding aviation career even further!
What Else Should I Know?
We hope this helps you answer some FAQs about aviation medical examinations in Australia!
We’ve also compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career, so please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!
Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.
Aspiring Career Pilots – Here’s Why You Need a Diploma of Aviation
With so many different types of aviation qualifications out there, which one should you choose? And which Melbourne flight school do you approach? These can be tricky questions to answer, so let us help you out.
Flight Instructor Rating – The Perfect Start For New Commercial Pilot Graduates
What is the best way to get started and set yourself on the right career path for your dream pilot job? In our opinion, it all starts with a Flight Instructor Rating. Let’s find out why!
Flight Instructor Training Endorsements – All You Need To Know
In this blog we’ll outline the Flight Instructor Training Endorsements that are available. We’ll also guide you on how each of these endorsements can add value to your role as a Flight Instructor, and your progression as a professional pilot.
Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.
