<p>Having a passion for Aviation is what makes the GOOSE Recruitment team unique. Qihua “Q” Lin – Pilot Recruitment Consultant at GOOSE Recruitment in Singapore, shares his impressive Aviation career and how his experience shaped his decision to join their team.</p>
<p><strong>Qihua, when did you start your Aviation career?</strong></p>
<p>It began in 1999 when I pursued a degree in Aviation Science at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I have always had a huge interest and fascination with anything to do with flying. Even as a young child I was fascinated with anything in the air, whether it be animals (dragonflies were my favourite) or aircraft.</p>
<p><strong>What made you want to apply for a degree in Aviation Science? </strong></p>
<p>It is not just flying that interests me, I have always found the mechanics and the operational side of Aviation fascinating and wanted to learn more about every aspect of flying</p>
<p><strong>What path did you follow after graduating from University?</strong></p>
<p>While studying for my degree, I also started to learn to fly with the goal of becoming a Commercial Pilot. After a lot of hard work, financial commitment and dedication to my training, I eventually obtained my frozen Airline Transport Pilot licence.</p>
<p>It was the most rewarding feeling in the world and this has definitely been one of my greatest achievements. I am so glad I made this life-changing decision to move to Australia and follow my passion because it shaped the rest of my career.</p>
<p><strong>Did you find it easy to get into Piloting?</strong></p>
<p>The Aviation market was facing a lot of challenges and experiencing huge changes after the 9/11 incident. Businesses were struggling and major airlines were going bankrupt. Airlines weren’t hiring and there was a huge number of experienced Pilots who were out of jobs. If they couldn’t get a job, there were few chances for newly qualified Pilots to get one. If you did you were extremely lucky. It was very hard to get a job as a Pilot.</p>
<p><strong>So, did you turn your back on flying at this point? </strong></p>
<p>No, I was one of the lucky ones and I managed to land a job as a part-time chartered Pilot which was an incredible experience. I built up a lot of flying hours (which was an added bonus) and was blessed to visit some of the most beautiful and untouched places in Australia, including the Great Ocean Road. However, I missed my family and after 18 months of this job, I decided to move to Singapore.</p>
<p><strong>Did you find a Pilot job in Singapore? </strong></p>
<p>With entry-level jobs hard to come by I began looking at the Aviation industry from more angles and took an opportunity with a company who started to venture into the business of Aeronautical Charting and Aeronautical Databases. This allowed me to keep my foot in the Aviation industry while broadening my exposure in Aviation.</p>
<p><strong>Qihua, you later moved to Switzerland – why was that?</strong></p>
<p>I love the Aviation industry as it gives you the opportunity to travel and meet new people. An opportunity came up when the company I was working for invited me to be part of a larger team in Switzerland, which including mentoring and coaching.</p>
<p>Whilst in Switzerland, I continued to pursue an MBA in Aviation Management. This offered me a new perspective of the Aviation business from a management point of view. It also enabled me to expand my network into various areas of the Aviation industry from this programme.</p>
<p>After I moved back to Singapore, I was able to bring all I had learnt in my Aviation career to the undergraduates whom I taught in Aviation Management and Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I continue to do teach alongside working for GOOSE Recruitment.</p>
<p><strong>What made you decide to join GOOSE Recruitment?</strong></p>
<p>I loved that GOOSE Recruitment was a start-up and I wanted to be part of a business that was on a journey and be part of a team that equally shared my passion for Aviation. I also bought into the vision of our CEO and Founder, Mark Charman.</p>
<p>Working a Pilot Recruitment business not only allows me to meet new people from around the world but also gives me the opportunity to help people who want to pursue a passion.</p>
<p><strong>How do you think your extensive Aviation experience has helped you as a specialist Pilot Recruitment Consultant?</strong></p>
<p>It has helped me more than I could have anticipated. I know what I am talking about which gives Pilots confidence and I can leverage my experience to advise Pilots on the best routes to take in their careers as well as the qualifications they will need to meet the requirements of the airlines.</p>
<p>Additionally, the cultural competence I have acquired from living and working in a number of different countries is very useful when speaking to different people from all over the world.</p>
<p>This is what makes GOOSE Recruitment different – we all have a passion for Aviation or have spent time working in the industry. We are experts in our field, both in Recruitment and Aviation.</p>
<p><strong>What tips would you give to new Pilots?</strong></p>
<p>The Aviation industry has changed a lot over the last two decades. Although the demand for Pilot jobs is greater than ever before, most airlines are interested in experienced Pilots, hence the challenges for low-hour Pilots, remains great. </p>
<p><strong>Qihua, when did you start your Aviation career?</strong></p>
<p>It began in 1999 when I pursued a degree in Aviation Science at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I have always had a huge interest and fascination with anything to do with flying. Even as a young child I was fascinated with anything in the air, whether it be animals (dragonflies were my favourite) or aircraft.</p>
<p><strong>What made you want to apply for a degree in Aviation Science? </strong></p>
<p>It is not just flying that interests me, I have always found the mechanics and the operational side of Aviation fascinating and wanted to learn more about every aspect of flying</p>
<p><strong>What path did you follow after graduating from University?</strong></p>
<p>While studying for my degree, I also started to learn to fly with the goal of becoming a Commercial Pilot. After a lot of hard work, financial commitment and dedication to my training, I eventually obtained my frozen Airline Transport Pilot licence.</p>
<p>It was the most rewarding feeling in the world and this has definitely been one of my greatest achievements. I am so glad I made this life-changing decision to move to Australia and follow my passion because it shaped the rest of my career.</p>
<p><strong>Did you find it easy to get into Piloting?</strong></p>
<p>The Aviation market was facing a lot of challenges and experiencing huge changes after the 9/11 incident. Businesses were struggling and major airlines were going bankrupt. Airlines weren’t hiring and there was a huge number of experienced Pilots who were out of jobs. If they couldn’t get a job, there were few chances for newly qualified Pilots to get one. If you did you were extremely lucky. It was very hard to get a job as a Pilot.</p>
<p><strong>So, did you turn your back on flying at this point? </strong></p>
<p>No, I was one of the lucky ones and I managed to land a job as a part-time chartered Pilot which was an incredible experience. I built up a lot of flying hours (which was an added bonus) and was blessed to visit some of the most beautiful and untouched places in Australia, including the Great Ocean Road. However, I missed my family and after 18 months of this job, I decided to move to Singapore.</p>
<p><strong>Did you find a Pilot job in Singapore? </strong></p>
<p>With entry-level jobs hard to come by I began looking at the Aviation industry from more angles and took an opportunity with a company who started to venture into the business of Aeronautical Charting and Aeronautical Databases. This allowed me to keep my foot in the Aviation industry while broadening my exposure in Aviation.</p>
<p><strong>Qihua, you later moved to Switzerland – why was that?</strong></p>
<p>I love the Aviation industry as it gives you the opportunity to travel and meet new people. An opportunity came up when the company I was working for invited me to be part of a larger team in Switzerland, which including mentoring and coaching.</p>
<p>Whilst in Switzerland, I continued to pursue an MBA in Aviation Management. This offered me a new perspective of the Aviation business from a management point of view. It also enabled me to expand my network into various areas of the Aviation industry from this programme.</p>
<p>After I moved back to Singapore, I was able to bring all I had learnt in my Aviation career to the undergraduates whom I taught in Aviation Management and Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I continue to do teach alongside working for GOOSE Recruitment.</p>
<p><strong>What made you decide to join GOOSE Recruitment?</strong></p>
<p>I loved that GOOSE Recruitment was a start-up and I wanted to be part of a business that was on a journey and be part of a team that equally shared my passion for Aviation. I also bought into the vision of our CEO and Founder, Mark Charman.</p>
<p>Working a Pilot Recruitment business not only allows me to meet new people from around the world but also gives me the opportunity to help people who want to pursue a passion.</p>
<p><strong>How do you think your extensive Aviation experience has helped you as a specialist Pilot Recruitment Consultant?</strong></p>
<p>It has helped me more than I could have anticipated. I know what I am talking about which gives Pilots confidence and I can leverage my experience to advise Pilots on the best routes to take in their careers as well as the qualifications they will need to meet the requirements of the airlines.</p>
<p>Additionally, the cultural competence I have acquired from living and working in a number of different countries is very useful when speaking to different people from all over the world.</p>
<p>This is what makes GOOSE Recruitment different – we all have a passion for Aviation or have spent time working in the industry. We are experts in our field, both in Recruitment and Aviation.</p>
<p><strong>What tips would you give to new Pilots?</strong></p>
<p>The Aviation industry has changed a lot over the last two decades. Although the demand for Pilot jobs is greater than ever before, most airlines are interested in experienced Pilots, hence the challenges for low-hour Pilots, remains great. </p>