Joyce joined Hillsboro Heli Academy in 2017 from Taipei, Taiwan and is now working for us as a flight instructor. Read more about her experience at Hillsboro.
- Why do you want to be a pilot and what’s your dream job?
It was never actually my childhood dream to become a pilot. I have no background in aviation apart from following @verticalmag on Instagram. Before this, I was on a completely different path and basically asked myself, why not? The dream now is to fly EMS or search and rescue. I'd love to be a flight medic as well, when I'm done being in the pilot seat.
- What can a potential student expect when starting school?
Expect a lot of hard work, excitement, and struggle, but in a good way. - What is the daily time commitment to becoming a pilot?
A lot of what goes into flying a helicopter actually happens on the ground. For every hour of flight, you probably want to put in two hours of ground (at least). Do the math! - What is your favorite part of the training at Hillsboro?
The best part of training is that it never stops. There's always something to learn and questions to ask.
- Why did you choose Hillsboro?
There are very few choices when it comes to flight schools that offer F-1 visas and are not in Florida. Always thought the Pacific Northwest matched my vibe so coming here was a no-brainer.
- What are some of the biggest challenges when learning to fly?
The biggest challenge is not getting caught up in the nitty-gritty. Being able to see the world from 2000 feet is a privilege, and I never want to lose sight of that.
- Outside of school, what does Oregon offer as far as social life?
Portland is a weird but lovable city. There's a little something for everyone. As for me, I'll be at the Thorns game!