Many of us have dreamt of soaring above the clouds, commanding an aircraft and exploring the world from a cockpit.
However, the journey to becoming a commercial pilot isn’t always as glamorous as it seems.
WeirdKaya recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Kenneth Lee, a self-funded Malaysian pilot who just recently got hired by one of the world’s best airline after jobless for 5 long years.
The 27-year-old man shared his personal journey of how he chased his dream of becoming a pilot, initially thinking it would be easy, only to discover that it was anything but that.
Flying towards his dream & nightmare
Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Kenneth, like many aspiring aviators, was very enthusiastic about his learning and gaining knowledge about aviation.
At the end of 2019, he obtained his aircraft engineer diploma and commercial pilot licence (CPL) overseas before the Covid-19 pandemic and was filled with high hopes of returning to Malaysia and kickstarting his career.
When the pandemic hit, the interview appointments he had lined up were cancelled as the borders closed.
He found himself without a job for half a year due to the pandemic and a lack of job offers related to his studies.
With no other options, he reluctantly chose a career path he had never considered before: teaching.
At that point, I really didn’t know what to do,” he recalls. “I started teaching primary and secondary students through online and physical classes.
Moving forward, he was faced with a hurdle he hadn’t anticipated – his CPL couldn’t be converted directly into a Malaysian license.
As a result, I was required to join an Abridge Course tailored for Malaysians with an overseas CPL. It was supposed to take ten months but the reality was far from it.
“Instead, I found the flight school I have enrolled in what I’d call a ‘scam institution’, where it was a government-certified flight school which lacked the necessary equipment and resources.”
“In the end, what should have been a 10-month process dragged on for three gruelling years, with me eventually having to transfer to another flight school just to complete the course,” he said.
Post-pandemic aviation struggles
After finally obtaining his Malaysian CPL, Kenneth was met with yet another harsh reality: pilot recruitment was nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.
“Malaysia Airlines Group (MAG) hired only around 40 self-funded pilots in April 2024 from an initial pool of between 1,000 and 1,500 applicants.
“The competition was also rather fierce, leaving approximately 1,500 self-funded pilots from the pre-pandemic period without a job. This forced many to abandon their aviation dreams for careers in the business or service industry,” he revealed.
Thankfully, Kenneth was able to secure several job offers from airlines in Hong Kong and Singapore thanks to the many hours he spent flying an aircraft while overseas.
“Those who did their initial pilot studies in Malaysia were not eligible for overseas piloting jobs because the minimum flying hours from flight schools in Malaysia are far lower than those who trained abroad,” he said.
Parents who supported Kenneth’s journey
Throughout his journey, Kenneth acknowledged how fortunate he was to have supportive parents who could afford to fund his expensive aviation studies.
“They are very supportive of my aviation dream and used their savings to support me,” he shares. As the only son, he felt a deep sense of gratitude for their investment in his future.
Kenneth revealed that he spent nearly RM500,000 to RM600,000 on his aviation studies.
In contrast, many of his friends in Malaysia began their aviation studies by taking out loans. However, securing a loan is no easy feat.
The current cost of obtaining an initial pilot licence ranges from RM400,000 to RM450,000. In order to get an airline job, there are many top-up training which may cost additional up to RM200,000.
More than just working for an airline
One of the main points Kenneth emphasised during the interview was the limited scope of knowledge provided by flight schools across Asia.
“The mentality from flight schools over here is to push all initial pilot trainees towards joining an airline.
They only showcase the glamorous side without informing trainees about other piloting roles like being a flight instructor, charter pilot, or private pilot. Many graduates only learn about these roles halfway through their training.
“As a result, those aspiring to become a pilot are unaware that the journey can take many forms in building a successful aviation career and end up feeling disappointed and disillusioned,” he explained.
‘Look before you fly’
Reflecting on his aviation journey, he offers simple yet powerful advice to aspiring pilots: “Choose wisely.”
“I’ve seen friends struggling to sustain their lives after completing pilot training, only to find themselves jobless. Many of them can’t even join other corporate jobs because they started out without a degree.
“In light of this, I’d strongly urge others not to consider or prioritise pilot training if they’re not financially prepared for it. Without proper planning and awareness of the risks involved, it can leave them in difficult situations,” he said.
Despite the challenges he personally faced, Kenneth managed to carve out a successful aviation career for himself.
He is now finally started his dream career working as a Second Officer Pilot with one of the world’s best airline, a position beyond what he could have ever asked for, and he’s truly grateful for it all.
For anyone with the ambition to take to the skies, Kenneth’s journey is a reminder that while the road may be long and full of unexpected obstacles, it is still possible to achieve your dreams with the right mindset and proper preparation.
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