My Aviation Journey from PA38 – A320 Flight Examiner. By Captain Shemuel Low
For the last few years, John and I have been promoting the practical need for new CPL trained pilots to consider moving overseas for their first job as the industry in New Zealand is simply too small to support the large numbers of CPL graduates leaving Flight Training Schools every 6 months.
The fearful figure of 71% of CPL trained pilots falling out of the industry here in New Zealand because of how small the industry here is compared to the number of graduate students flooding the market is a sobering fact for those spending $150,000 or more to pursue their dream. Going overseas is really the only practical way to get a firm footing on the airline ladder.
In fact, we feel so strongly about it that we now only consider candidates for the Scholarships that are prepared to consider this big move.
Captain Shemuel Low, a native of Taranaki, saw the need to make this move very early on and it is fair to say he has never regretted the move. He has been based in Singapore for the last 20 years and now works for Jetstar Asia. As well as being a Line Captain on the A320 fleet, he is also heavily involved in the airline’s training arm.
Captain Shemuel Low
My aviation career began when I did an intro flight on a Cessna 152 at New Plymouth Aero Club in 1999. I had always wanted to be a pilot since a young age, with my first aviation related memories from when I was four years old. I would go to the public library with my mother and head straight to the aviation section where I would study pictures of different aircraft.
Fast forward to the present day, and I’m an A320 Captain at Jetstar Asia, based in Singapore. I also hold the roles of Deputy Manager of Training, Evidence Based Training (EBT) Program Manager, Simulator Instructor and CAAS Flight Examiner.
It has been and exciting journey with plenty of ups and downs. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the many great role models and aviation friends to support and share my journey. Speaking of great role models, I met John Pauwels in 2002 when training towards my C Cat instructor rating at the International Aviation Academy in Christchurch. I remember a few inspiring chats with John which helped fuel my motivation to become an airline pilot. I even remember taking John on a flight in a PA28 so I could practice my instruction technique for my C Cat test. Whilst talking John through an approach to land, I neglected to consider that heavy jet pilots only apply a small pitch increase in the flare, unlike a single engine piston aircraft. Needless to say, there wasn’t much flare, and we made a rather firm landing, both of us a little surprised but unscathed apart from egos.
About to embark on a “road trip” with some mates to clock up cross country navigation time for my CPL. (Shem second right)
I completed my CPL with Multi-engine Instrument Rating in 2001 and C-Category Instructor Rating in 2002 at the International Aviation Academy in Christchurch. In between my CPL and my C-Cat, I spent a short time in Australia trying to find flying work. The market was pretty tough for low hour pilots, so I drove forklifts near Sydney airport and studied towards my CASA ATPL theory papers. My first job opportunity was an ab-initio flight instructor in Fiji with Pacific Flying School, based in Nadi. The first few months I taught CPL theory then moved onto flying the C152 and C172. Engineering standards were rather relaxed, and there were a few incidents with fuel leaks, windows falling off, flat tyres etc. I accumulated about 400 instructional hours while in Fiji which set me up well for my next move.
After a year in Fiji, I moved to Malaysia in search of bigger opportunities. I knew AirAsia was undergoing rapid expansion and I had relatives in Malaysia which made the move easier. From 2004 – 2006 I worked at the Malaysian Flying Academy as a flight instructor for AirAsia and Malaysian Airlines cadets on single and multi-engine aircraft.
Working as a flying instructor allowed me to gain valuable experience which I still draw on to this day, however, my aspirations were always to become an airline pilot, so I was just waiting for an opportunity. Due to contractual requirements, foreigners could not join AirAsia until the completion of their 2-year instructing contract. I spent my time productively and accumulated over 2000 flying hours and enhancing my network of contacts at AirAsia and a local airfreight operator. I was in regular contact with the Head of Flight Ops at AirAsia and I even met the CEO, Tony Fernandes.
Things didn’t go so smoothly once I completed my instructor contract, and I spent almost a year being bounced between the regulator and the operators, neither side willing to take a firm position on whether I could work in Malaysia. The regulator said I needed an offer from an airline first, the airline said I needed approval from the regulator first. This chicken or egg situation was frustrating as I couldn’t work during this period and consequently had no source of income.
With some help from an uncle, the regulator finally came through and issued me with an approval letter to work for a Malaysian operator, which I took straight to AirAsia. AirAsia said they were willing to offer me an A320 First Officer position, but I needed to obtain my own type rating first as they couldn’t conduct it locally. I found this odd as I had the approval letter from the regulator but saw it as an opportunity to obtain a much cheaper type rating in the USA.
The type rating in the USA took about 4 weeks which included licence conversion to FAA ATPL. This process was relatively straight forward. However, getting into the USA for pilot training, post 9/11, was much more complicated. Even after getting all the necessary letters and documentation, I still vividly remember being handed a bright red A4 card by the immigration officer and told to proceed to the holding area where I was interviewed and background checked for 3 hours!
Back in Malaysia with my shiny new type rating, I was hit with another roadblock. AirAsia said they could not accept my A320 type rating but were willing to offer me a B737 position with a 5-year bond and local type rating. How is it they can conduct my B737 rating now but not A320? Through my insider friends it turns out they were short of B737 pilots. At this stage I felt that if they had been playing me around for a year, then what would it be like if I was in the organisation? As a foreigner, your work permit relies on your employer, so you are in a very weak negotiating position.
Wisely or foolishly, depending on who you ask, I turned down their offer and started searching for another job with my A320 type rating. The situation was looking bleak until I got a call from a friend in Tiger Airways that they needed pilots. I had visited Singapore a few times while living in Malaysia and had been introduced to a few of the management pilots at Tiger Airways.
I would like to stress here the power of your network. I don’t think I would be in the position I am in today without developing a strong network and good relationships with people in the industry.
The Chief Pilot interviewed me on a Monday, I did a Sim assessment on the Wednesday, and I had a signed contract on Thursday! After all the challenges I had made it into the airlines in 2007 at age 26. This is where my airline journey began in Singapore - where I still work today.
Last flight at Tiger Airways in November 2011 with my best friend from flight school as my First Officer.
In 2010 I was promoted to A320 captain at 29 years old where I accumulated 1000 A320 command hours before I moved next door to Jetstar Asia (JSA) as a direct entry captain in November 2011. At Jetstar Asia, I was appointed Line Instructor Pilot and CRM Facilitator roles thanks to my previous experience in training. In 2016, I was promoted to Simulator Flight Instructor and then in 2018, I became HF/CRM Manager.
During my time in Jetstar Asia, the aviation industry was moving towards Evidence Based Training (EBT) and in 2019, JSA adopted EBT and obtained approval from the regulator.
Then Covid hit and the aviation industry was hammered - especially pilots in low-cost carriers. Legacy carrier pilots fared a little better, but it was definitely difficult. During 2020-2022 I was on a reduced salary and supplemented my income with construction work. The old saying “always good to have a trade” was 100% correct.
In 2022, I was promoted to CAAS Flight Examiner and took on the role of EBT Program Manager. EBT has been hugely beneficial for Jetstar Asia’s training and safety, and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing a role in its success and developing the program for the future.
Operating the inaugural Jetstar Asia flight between Singapore and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo with member of Sri Lanka tourism board, Jetstar Asia CEO and Chairman of the Jetstar Asia Board.
My latest promotion to Deputy Manager of Training was in July 2023, a position which is both challenging but rewarding. One of my significant projects was developing our in-house Simulator Flight Instructor program. I had to work with the authority to obtain regulatory approval and then train 2 new pilots with the qualification. New challenges provide me with plenty of motivation, and at 43 I am sure there will be many new challenges and opportunities for my future growth in aviation.
A little advice for aspiring young pilots is that you must be willing to broaden your horizons and be willing to travel outside New Zealand. New Zealand is a small market with limited opportunity so if you want to accelerate your career and build experience consider other countries.
Mentors is another important component of your professional development. Find people who you admire for their beliefs, work ethics, attitudes and career achievements. Spend time with these people, ask them lots of questions, apply the lessons they teach you.
Lastly, develop your network and foster strong relationships with the people you meet. Opportunities may not always come from people in the same industry so you should always be open to new ideas and new learning opportunities.
Learning is not something that ends once you achieve your goals, it is a lifelong belief along with progressive goals that keep you moving onward and upward.
The highest level of motivation and positive emotion you will attain is in the pursuit of a goal and not the achievement of the goal.
Always keep aiming higher and you will have a career that is both fulfilling and highly successful.
