Thank you to AK blog team that creating rooms to all aspiring pilots to express their thoughts and feelings through blogging competition "So You wanna be a Pilot". The response was great and eventually keeps all of our spirits high towards pursuing our dream to be a pilot.
The stories start from the day when blog team announces about the blog writing competition in early march 2009. It makes me happy but worry after knowing about the blog competition. Happy because I found another possible way to pursue my dream while worry because blogging wasn't my favorite past time and i didn't write any blog in my life before this. Well... since there is a chance, I got to find ways to get it done. I asked around my fellow friends to get some ideas to start writing blog for this occasion. All I got is big laugh from friends when asking them to teach me how to get it start. Therefore, without thinking further, I started my blog writing about myself and some thoughts of mine towards my dream. It's took me a while to get the first blog post done... Subsequently, I posted 4 more blog post right before the competition starting day. From the first day of the competition, my eyes keep the aiming at your blog homepage every hour to get updates about the shortlisted blog post. Well... Finally i was the twelve shortlisted candidates... Hooo... What’s big good news to me? I was away from KL at that moment and eventually the good news was posted by a good friend of mine. What a good day...
Subsequently, I keep updating on upcoming shortlisted candidates blog post which cheering me the most. Each and every one of us have share same dream but from different back ground. Individually have their own reasons of being a pilot. It's further brought my burning desire up to higher level.
I start to prepare for the upcoming assessment test once informed about the first stage assessment date. For me, SPM syllabus became something rare as its standard was slightly different from my time. Haha... My time was conducted in Bahasa Malayu... So, i start to shop for new reference books and try some of the example papers to get familiarize with it.

FIRST STAGE ASSESSMENT TEST
It finally come to the day for the test been waited for long. A fresh morning where sees many smiling faces around the waiting hall. We was given the opportunity to the simulator room to feel it during the senior training session. Wow... its amaze me a lot. Kind of heard about how real is it but never thoughts it is that REAL... Cool... Then it comes to start with our written test.
The stories never end here... Once I done with my written test, i was breathing outside the waiting hall with few more guys from CAE. I start talking about my occasion there and my current job- Hydraulics. It's somehow related to the automation of simulator... After that, I was brought to the simulator room again... Haha... What a good lucky day... Finally, i was given a chance to hands on the A320 simulator with guidance. It really fills up my desire and really given lots inspiration to work even hard to pursue my dream.

SECOND STAGE INTERVIEW
The second stage interview made me waited for 5 weeks making it realistic. During the waiting period, it was most frequent period I checking my mail in my life... 10 times a day and 5 tablets per serving. Haha.. Worst than taking medicine. YES! The moment I received the mail from airasia about my successful for first stage written test, indescribable happiness was obviously seen on my face throughout the day. Well, I'm really happy that been moving a step nearer to what I wanna be. My family, friends was sharing my happiness which giving me much more motivation towards pursuing my dream.
For the second stage psychomotor test, I was fully concentrating in getting it alright. It was smooth throughout the whole test and hopefully the next call will be coming to me very soon.
After all, the whole journey starting from blog competition to the second stage psychomotor test was very exciting and its makes me gain a lots. I met many new friends which sharing the same dream with me, learn many new stuff about flying, given opportunity to feel the control column of A320 simulator and also training me being patient and cool towards challenge. I'm sure that there is much more upcoming challenging task to be overcome. I would see the changes of my life soon... Cheers to all aspiring pilots and THRUST ME, never give up your dream and the call of miracle will comes to you if you really believe in it. DARE TO DREAM... GOOD LUCK!

Firstly I must thanks Mr Derek and the whole blog team ( and AirAsia of course ) for the " So you wanna be a pilot " blog competition . It opens up an opportunity for those who are pursuing their dream to be one step closer to what they are aiming for.

Frankly speaking this is my first time of my applying to become a cadet pilot as I am only 18 this year however this dream has been in my heart for long . I am doing my Form Six ( upper Six ) this year when I started to apply for this. I had wanted this so much thus I had put in a lot of effort in it . Most of my friends were very astonished when they heard that I am applying for cadet in this year and had put so much time and effort in it as I am having my STPM by the end of this year . Even my teachers are shocked to hear this and some of them really can't understand why am I doing this in my important year ( STPM year ) . Well , why should I make myself so busy that I had to divide both my attention in cadet pilot and in STPM ? Why don't I just finish my STPM first and apply for it later ? Many people had asked me the very same questions . My answer is just simple but it is the only answer : I like flying so much and this is my dream , one and only , and it has been in my heart for so long . I was unable to apply for it when I had finished my SPM or when I was in my Lower six as I haven't reached 18 years old by that time . And now , I am 18 already . The chance that I had waited for so long is now here . Right in front of me . So why should I wait ? No matter what is the route that I am taking now , being a pilot is always my aim . I can't afford the high fees to a private flying school and there is no such a so-called pilot course in Universities , so whatever the route that I am taking now ( for example now is STPM ) is just a back up and additional educational background in my way in pursuing my dream to be a pilot . So why should I wait ?

I was so thrilled when I found out that I am one of the 35 shortlisted in the " So you wanna become a pilot " blog competition . I then waited anxiously for the news to attend the first stage test . I waited anxiously and until June , there was news released saying that there will be a first stage test held on 21 June . I was so thrilled that I checked my e-mail inbox for more than ten times everyday , but I didn't get any news . I saw the bloggers attended the test one after one , in 21 June , 27 June and 28 June . Finally 28 june has passed . I received nothing . I knew that most of the bloggers had already attended their first stage . I was worried is I was left out . I left comments in the blog yet nobody can give me a clear answer . I e-mailed the cadet pilot selection team everyday yet no reply . I was quite worried yet I believed Air Asia will do as what they had promised , that is to give all the 35 bloggers a chance . They promised , so I waited. Anxiously but with hope .

Finally the day that I had waited for so long came . I managed to have a chance to attend the first stage test ( written test ) on 18 July . I just kept my STPM books aside and put all my heart and soul in it . I must make it through . I told myself .
I was a bit nervous but soon got into situation when I saw Captain Suresh , Captain Dinesh and some other captain's friendly smile . The test went on well for me , as it was what I had prepared hard for . Thankfully I was only one and a half year from my SPM when I attended the written test .
When I walked out of the academy , I told myself , I will come back shortly . Shortly . And I did it . I then revisited my beloved academy on 16 August , about one month after my written test . This time I am having my psychomotor test .

Frankly speaking I am the type of girl who seldom play games . No , I am sorry , I like games a lot , I meant I like sports a lot , but I seldom play computer games . However , I got a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and practiced it very often . I like the feeling very much . The training sessions are using Cessna and I felt like I am in the cockpit of the Cessna itself when I played the Simulator . I finally managed to make pretty take offs and landings using that simulator .Thus I went to the second stge interview happily and full of confidence .

I thought that everything is under my expectations but it was not . From a usual Logitech joystick to a six button joystick , from a 13" inch desktop screen to a 50" inch plasma TV , from a simulator to a some sort like PS2 game , different programme , and the more is , different meters . I know it's my problem but I must confess that I was not used to the meter that I had to refer to . I guess it's some sort like the meter in an airbus , and it's far more different from the meters in a Cessna . In short , everything was out of my expectations , totally out . There was too much differences between them .

For the take off part , in trial , I forgot to put up my landing gear . Then in first attempt , I failed to control both my angle and altitude . Then in second attempt , I failed to control my altitude . In landing part , I haven't got to know what was going on in my trial and my plane crashed in less than two minutes when the game started . In my first trial , when I looked down to find the button to decrease throttle and put down my landing gear , it crashed . In second attempt , I managed not to crashed it but I was not able to flare and the system just jumped out .... In all my six attempts I didn't even have the word " clear " when the game ends .... In ALL six attempts the system just jumped out half way ..... no any marks ......

I know I really did it extremely bad this time ..... So sad ..... I had prepared for so long but everything was just out of my expectations but I know that I had tried your best for it. No matter how I feel now, the result cannot be changed so I just accept it. Living in this world, we may not always get what we want, but at least I had tried my best to achieve it, then I won't feel regret about it in the future.

I really hope that I would be given one more chance but I know that this would be unfair for other applicants so I didn't asked Captain Dinesh about it . Anyway I still hope that I would be given a chance to proceed to the final interview . ( will Captain Suresh or Captain Dinesh read this ? haha )
Whatever the result is , I would never give up and I will apply again for the next intake as I want this too much . I would never let this failure ( if I can't proceed to final ) to let me down . Being a pilot is always my dream . I will constantly apply and apply till the day when I get it . I can see it . It is my future . I am and I will work towrards it . I want to be a pilot . I want to be a pilot . I want to be a pilot !!!!

So I am waiting for any good news now . Hope that I would be given a chance . I know that I am not the best but I have been working towards the best . I dream to be a pilot . I want to be a pilot . I aim to be a pilot . I work to be a pilot . I pray to be a pilot . I will be a pliot . One day . When the day comes , then you will see me fly high up in the air . In the cockpit . Hope that Air Asia can help me realize my dream .

Dream to fly , fly to dream ......

Jessica Lee Suk Tin

Now, what would you assume one of the ten most respected women in Malaysia by Her World magazine in 1998 and Finalist of the ‘Great Women of Our Time Award’ 2007 by Womens Weekly to be? A model? A star on the catwalk? A business woman perhaps? A charity figurine maybe? Norashikin Onn is simply a captain with AirAsia. Not just any captain but our very own first woman captain. And that speaks volumes for a giantess among men. Much more than perhaps any normal definition of what being a woman is all about. And this is simply one of the many stories in AirAsia, that man was truly made to fly.

Harriet Quimby was the first licensed woman pilot. And later in 1912, Harriet recharted the history books when she became the first women to fly across the English Channel. In many ways, Norashikin has simply blazed a trail of her own similar to Harriet Qimbyand AirAsia is proud to say that we were part of her life as she too has touched us in so many ways. You will often find her nowadays at the helm of the A320 planes and having obtained her FAA commercial Plot license from the States, she has indeed come some ways.

Capt. Norashikin comfortable where she's best

AirAsia is proud to present our very own first female captain and Capt. Norashikin Onn as we now have the privilege of addressing her as has a tale to tell. If ever there was a message to be passed on, it is simply that there are no skies to limit anyone and the only prejudice that exists is that you yourself is your own limitation. Capt. Norashikin has proven that in every sense that we hold our own ambitions and dreams in our own hands. And the message is simply, fly, fly and reach out for your dreams.

Capt. Norashikin has tasted setbacks and none bigger than when she was trained as Captain on ATR 72 in Toulouse in 2002. The sad fact that Aeromalaysiana, the airline to which she was attached to had to close shop due to rejected approvals from DCA Malaysia simply strengthened her resolve not to give up. It took her seven years, but here she is again, standing tall in an industry especially in this region so dominated by men that she has rewritten the history books. We are not saying that she is the last but let us take a moment to celebrate her achievement in our midst.

Ever an advocate for women sports, Capt. Norashikin has a heart to match her ambition and nothing says it better than the support she has lent for international involvement in the United Nations, the organisation of "Malaysia for Peace/World for Peace" and countless other ambassadorial work of charity and goodwill around the globe from India to South Korea. We would like to claim Capt. Norashikin as a treasure of our own but having met this wonderful person, her story I personally felt would be a beacon of inspiration for others in whatever career paths and trails that they do.

Carpe diem dear all. Seize today and make it extraordinary. Today is yours. I'm trying to live mine. I meet people like Capt. Norashikin and Tony and they simply tell me through their actions more than their words that nothing is impossible and that the skies merely outline our dreams. AirAsia says

Believe the unbelievable
Dare to dream
Never take no for an answer

So, what's your story?

The one dollar airline , they say ...... the airline it was , ...well , look at her now , AIRASIA . The pinnacle of success , the admiration of many and the envy of others.
AIRASIA under the helm of the MAN has reached heights never scaled before and depths ever traced before , blasting away the IMPOSSIBLE and capturing the hearts of all , young and old.
To imagine , that young boy who once sat by his hometown river looking at that metal bird up high wishing if he could have his turn to fly in it and at that moment looking down the river to his parents , making ends meet by fishing in swamps to support the family . And he told himself , that metal bird is just a bird , it is nothing great to fly in it or fly one , hiding his dream , fronting the image of his old ones slogging it out in the river.............how would they fly when they can barely make a months food supply?
ITS A BOY'S DREAM AND IT REMAINED ONE ........

And that same boy , today made his dream come true ....... as he walked in the airport he once thought he would never touch foot....LCCT , the portal of many dreams , the A320s , the birds of steel that he admired were now in front of him and he glanced at his boarding pass and a drop of tear as he noted a number C15 , thats his seat on the big bird!
THAT BOY GOT HIS DREAM THIS TIME..........

AIRASIA has been built with PEOPLE in mind always , its a dreamcaster , bridging hearts and emotions and this is what makes her a company to be reckoned always......

The MAN has kept his word and resilience and HE has made that boy's dream come true.....
Thank you , MR Tony Fernandes...

And that boy has pledged his note and he told himself , the next he comes back , he is to be in a black tie , a briefcase , polished shoes , and on the big bird announcing ........
WELCOME ABOARD AIRASIA ,LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING.....

THANK YOU AIRASIA....
Sashi Sekaran
Yes , I want to be a pilot (its never too late with AirAsia)

Ever since the blog to be the pilot competition end my hope of becoming a pilot with AirAsia crash along with the contest however an unexpected email on Thursday noon 25 of June have change my life! Entitled Cadet Pilot Assessment & Selection 27 June!
Believe it or not it really make my day , i had tears of joy and some sort of unbelieving feelings i was soo happy excited and nervous!

2 days notification and form 5 syllabus that i have left since 2004 ! I burn my midnight oil with a spirit of doing my best along with help and inspirations from captain dominic , captain sugeng , captain moana and andy AirAsia cadet pilot . Not forgetting my other half captain mani and his best friend capt zeenu that has helped me alot and motivating me all the while.

with feeling of excitement and fear i step my self at AirAsia academy on Saturday June 27 at 8.50 am there is alot of people waiting there i no no one ! Some were familiar faces from the blog well i'm no one there . Quietly i sat there waiting for announcements and make some friends while waiting

There were slight delay that time as the captain in charge was late due to unexpected problems.

Then it was the time for the battle as Captain Dinesh guide all of us the candidates to the 2nd floor computer room for the battle!

It was an unforgettable experience and believe me its an experience all the pilot wannabe are lodging for ..

thank you air asia...as waiting for my stage 1 result i am taking this opportunity to share with all aspiring pilot...never give up have faith and trust that AIRASIA IS AMAZING!