Flying is the greatest adventure. It has always been the ultimate dream of mankind, and for our generation it is not only achievable but also affordable. The world looks very different from 3000 feet above the ground. There is a level of freedom unique to aviation – the ability to move effortlessly in three dimensions at the touch of a control. The sensation of flying is hugely liberating. Once you've tried it, you'll want to do it again.

Learning to fly is not as hard as you might think. In fact each year many people of all ages and from all walks of life take up this challenge. You can start learning to fly and obtain the Australian Student Pilot's Licence at 16, and then a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) at 17. Most people are content with achieving the PPL, which permits them to fly themselves and non-paying passengers anywhere they want, some may fly for the sheer joy of flying, or just for fun. Some enjoy it so much that they take it up as a career.

Different people have different talents; some may be good at language, some at science, and some at arts or music. But some are born pilots!

In Hong Kong Flight Training Centre, we have a special mission to promote flight training to local young people, especially those who are studying at the senior secondary level. We see flight training as a unique experience that promotes students' personal growth and development. It is a process of self-actualization and requires self-discipline and great determination.

If you believe in Professor Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence (MI), learning to fly is a good way to develop one's MI including the linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences. Students will build up confidence and courage; develop decisiveness and respect for rules; and widen their horizons once they start learning to fly.

The theory part of flight training will require students to integrate a wide range of learning elements acquired at school, including those from arts and science subjects, and use them practically. Attending a flying course is a solid way to help students put their learning at school into an authentic situation.

So, we are not talking about merely “book smart” or “street smart”, it is a different kind of smart!