Female pilots make history with MAS
The sky’s the limit for first batch of women to serve in airline’s cockpit
KUALA LUMPUR: Three women have become the first batch of female pilots to serve with Malaysia Airlines.
Pearl Wendy Mak, Wang Wen Chien and Nur Waie Hidayah Mohamad Rasidin have proven that nothing can clip their wings.
Capt Mak, 50, who has been flying for 25 years, acknowledged that flying an aircraft is not an easy job for women, but this is a new era where women are making inroads into male-dominated sectors.
She had worked with seven foreign airlines over the years before deciding to return home.
“So long as you do your part, work as a team and forget that you will be treated differently, you will not be seen as a man or woman, but just as a pilot,” said Mak, who initial-
ly wanted to be an aircraft engineer.
Her advice to women who want to take up the challenge in the aviation industry is that they should understand and be in love with aviation itself, besides being disciplined and motivated.
According to the International Society of Women Pilots’ estimation in 2017, out of 130,000 pilots in the world, only 3% were women.
Second Officer Wang’s dream of becoming a pilot began when her father took her for a one-day Fly for Fun pilot course when she was 15.
“I was fascinated when the aircraft took off with the pilot seated next to me. He taught me to do some manoeuvres in the sky and I found it really cool,” said Wang.
She earned her wings in Sydney and completed her conversion course at the Malaysian Flying Academy in 2016 before joining MAS as a cadet pilot last year.
Her advice to young women? “Do what you like. It may not be easy in the beginning, but never give up halfway through as you never know what the end result will be,” said Wang, who aims to become a captain in eight years’ time.
Nur Waie Hidayah, 21, a cadet pilot with MAS since December 2017, was inspired by her father, who is also a pilot.
“I grew up in Abu Dhabi, where my father is based. After graduating from high school in 2013, I returned to Malaysia and attended a flying school in Melaka.
“My 18 months of training there was tough and it took a lot of support from my loved ones as well as willpower and strict discipline to complete the course,” she said.
Mak, Wang and Nur Waie Hidayah were honoured at the MAS crew graduation ceremony on Aug 11, where 111 cabin crew and pilots graduated.
In his speech at the ceremony, Malaysia Airlines Group chief executive officer Capt Izham Ismail said: “I’m very proud that for the first time, Malaysia Airlines has three strong, amazing and resilient women graduating as pilots.” — Bernama