The juvenile Ken has been constantly on the search for his life passion since he was little. When he was a student, he loved to watch cooking programs on TLC channel in his free time. He then started to collect information and set his goal to study Western Culinary Arts at the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism. He finally found his passion of sharing his dishes with his friends and relatives, which gave him great joy and pleasure. However, during his internship as a junior, he suddenly realized that his passion wouldn’t last if he turned cooking into his career. Ken whose original ambition had been to become a chef therefore started to reconsider his career plans. What other options Did he have?
Hopes and dreams soaring into the sky.
He started to look for answers in magazines and books. In the “Cheers” magazine, he came across the word “pilot” in shining characters- This was his childhood dream! He started to look for information again, but this time he hit a snag. There was very little information on pilots and how to become one. During this process, Ken realized that there were only around 2400 pilots in Taiwan. He did not know where to start and his aspiration of becoming a pilot had hit a wall. Until he came across a poster one day. The poster described the “Big Dream” project titled “Soaring high” sponsored by the Gamania Cheer Up Foundation”.
Life turning point – Brave pursuit of lofty dreams
The “Big Dream” finally provided Ken who had struggled to realize his dream with a window. After registering for the program, he passed various tests including the initial selection process, scaling of a 17-story building, simulated passing out of the main examiner, and interview with the fake janitor Albert. After passing these trials, he was finally accepted to the pilot training program.
Eventually, he successfully completed the training program and received his private flying license after careful reading of original books and numerous practice sessions under guidance of his instructor in Taitung. This wasn’t enough for him since he wanted to be a real professional pilot. He met the required criteria for an airline pilot training program after passing a rigorous physical test resembling that designed for astronauts. The last mile is always the hardest. China Airlines turned him down and Tiger Air didn’t respond. This made him wonder why God had selected such a hard path for him.
Never give up your hopes and dreams
Ken embraced his pure dreams and remained optimistic even after he received the bad news from Tiger Air that they had no vacancies for pilots. He bought a Tiger Air plane ticket to relax and distract himself from his worries in Japan. He thought to himself: “If Tiger Air’s business improves, won’t they recruit new people?” Maybe he touched God with his perseverance or his secret vows started to show their effect. The universe finally listened to his pleas. As he was shopping in Don Quijote in Japan, he received a phone call from Tiger Air inviting him to a job interview. Ken who had always insisted on pursuing his dreams in the kitchen and in the sky finally was firmly on the road to becoming a pilot. Upon completion of his small plane training in Taitung, he attended a solid two-year training program for large planes in Taipei. After reading the corresponding original books and passing his immensely important first solo check flight, he finally became a qualified air traffic manager, soaring in the skies and protecting the lives of all passengers on board.
For Ken, this is only the beginning of realizing his dream.
▲ This poster of the Gamania Cheer Up Foundation represented a turning point for Ken
(Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkV8F6W8vg)
▲ Ken (second from the left) and nine other trainees attend the first civil aircraft training program in Taiwan
(Image Source: Official website of the “Big Dream” project sponsored by Gamania Cheer Up Foundation)
▲ From cook to pilot – Ken never lost his passion for his dreams
(Image Source: Official website of the “Big Dream” project sponsored by Gamania Cheer Up Foundation)