{"id":20004,"date":"2024-10-04T08:43:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T00:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/?p=20004"},"modified":"2025-07-17T13:27:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T05:27:45","slug":"captain-soars-to-new-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/captain-soars-to-new-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"Captain soars to new heights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore Airlines captain Ian Cheng.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For as long as Captain Ian Cheng can remember he\u2019s been enthralled by the world of aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this day, even after 28 years serving as a pilot for the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group<\/a>, the commerce graduate said the view from his office window still took his breath away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt may sound like a cliche, but it’s really something being in the air,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs pilots, we have the best office view in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born and raised in Singapore, Ian is now Vice President and Chief Pilot for Singapore Airline\u2019s Boeing 777s, overseeing a fleet of 27 aircraft and about 450 pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"singapore<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing 777 aircraft.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m in charge of our pilot\u2019s safety, their well-being and overall just making sure we get to our destinations safely and efficiently,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA few years ago, I also started instructing and mentoring our new generation of pilots, something I take great pride in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian\u2019s former titles include Senior Vice President of Flight Operations for SIA\u2019s low-cost subsidiary, Scoot<\/a>, and Vice President of Flight Operations for SilkAir<\/a>, a former subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During Ian\u2019s time with Scoot, he was part of the crew tasked to bring home Singaporeans from Wuhan during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a second-generation employee (his father was a flight engineer for the airline) Ian was eager to join the skies from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always wanted to be a pilot, and while my parents were in support of that, they felt I needed something to fall back on should I not be accepted into the cadet program,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After completing his two years of compulsory national service in Singapore, Ian came to Perth to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Curtin\u2019s Bentley campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really enjoyed my time at Curtin. In many ways, Curtin helped me immensely in my career as a pilot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst and foremost, my studies gave me confidence to do what I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt also taught me discipline, and how to tackle issues and solve problems \u2013 which is a huge component of my current career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian said his time at Curtin also helped nurture lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m still friends with some of my old housemates, one of which actually studied engineering at Curtin, and is now a pilot with me at Singapore Airlines,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ian as a cadet pilot in Jandakot, where the Singapore Flying College campus is located. Due to airspace restrictions in Singapore, practical training is carried out in WA.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following his graduation in 1994, Ian returned to Singapore, where he worked for a building products company and an express mail service, before landing his dream job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 1996, I was accepted into the Singapore Airlines cadetship program,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s flying over different countries marvelling at the changing terrain or admiring the stars in the night sky, Ian said he always felt a deep sense of wonder being in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese days, I spend a lot more time in the office managing the fleet and training our new pilots, but when I am in the cockpit, I am at total peace. I just love being in there,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\"ian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Captain Cheng (left) in the cockpit.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back over his career, Ian said piloting the first Singapore Airlines B-777 from Singapore to Wellington in 2017 and being one of the first pilots in the world to fly the Boeing Dreamliner 787-10 were among the highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe flight to Wellington was particularly special because it connected two new cities and was probably one of the most challenging places to land with a runway of just 1815 metres,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn comparison, the runway at Singapore Changi Airport is 4000 metres in length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo this day it\u2019s still one of my best memories, because when we landed probably half of Wellington came out to see us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2018, Ian was tasked with the honour of bringing a new Dreamliner from its manufacturer Boeing in Charleston, South Carolina, to Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis was a really memorable event. Quite a lot of work goes into getting approvals and turning it into a commercial plane that can take passengers,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we landed in Singapore, we were greeted with a water cannon salute, which is essentially a blessing. It was really special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boeing Dreamliner 787-10 arriving at Changi Airport, Singapore to a water cannon salute, 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian said one of the most rewarding parts of his job has been imparting his knowledge and skills onto new and emerging pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful feeling seeing our second officers climb the ranks and progress to first officer,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome also go on to becoming captains, which is a really proud moment for me. Just knowing that I helped train them and helped them along their career development and journey to being a pilot for Singapore Airline is amazing.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, what is the best advice Ian has for pilots in training?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFlying is very dynamic. So, it\u2019s important I teach them how to handle difficult situations and allow them to develop their competencies, so they are capable of making tough decisions,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy training also includes leadership, teamwork, communication, situational awareness and problem solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long journey in terms of training, but we have really good foundations at Singapore Airlines and the safety of our passengers and crew always comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Ian isn\u2019t flying or instructing, he enjoys popping on his runners and going for a jog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love being outdoors and I especially love exploring a new city on foot,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUsually after a long flight, I\u2019d wake early the next morning and go for a jog. I actually like to get a bit lost and then try to find my way back.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel by getting lost you get to know the city a bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many amazing places Ian has flown to or holidayed, Japan and Australia hold a special place in his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJapan is a place that that really intrigues me. I really like Tokyo and Osaka,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI also love Australia as it brings back memories from my time studying in Perth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhenever I\u2019m in Perth I enjoy going down to a caf\u00e9 for a coffee or running around the Swan River.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With his aviation career well established, Ian is now considering furthering his studies where it all began \u2013 Curtin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to return to campus and undertake a postgraduate degree or perhaps even try for my MBA (Master of Business Administration),\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI loved my time at Curtin. Just sitting on a bench on campus enjoying the sunshine. I miss that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

___<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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