Levi Guyan - Crossing Borders to Fly

“It’s not a matter of if you become a pilot, it’s a matter of when.” Those words from Lee, a former A320 captain and my best friend’s mother, have stuck with me for years. While it was hard to envision at that moment in time many years back, it’s quite surreal in hindsight to reflect on how well those words of encouragement aged.

Merely months ago, I had delivered well in excess of 50 CVs, each one seemingly vanishing into the ether without a response. Yet, as I sit here writing this, I find myself reminiscing on how my string of luck, what some might call fate, and a steadfast can-do attitude has allowed me to share my pilot journey thus far.

Let’s rewind. While it would be disingenuous to pinpoint an exclusively pivotal moment when I knew I wanted to be a pilot, my interest in aviation was certainly piqued at a fairly young age. At age four, my most pressing request to Santa for Christmas was a Lego Airport set—courtesy of my dad’s handwriting. In the years that followed, trips to Auckland Airport, the poignant smell of jet fuel, suave pilots in their uniforms walking down the terminals, and hours spent at the lookout only solidified my dreams and ambitions.

A major contributing factor to my passion for aviation (other than lots and lots of lego airplanes) is the enduring support of my parents and extended family - none of whom come from an aviation background.

Another lucid memory was at the age of five, when I took multiple visits to a display of a retired Cairns Royal Flying Doctor Beechcraft. We were living in Cairns as part of a five month trip, and I have a photo inside with my Grandpa, who recently passed away.

My first tangible step toward my dream came when, at age eight, I completed my first flight lesson in a Cessna 172 at Ardmore Flying School. ZK-TAN, the very aircraft I flew, still serves students at the school today. I use the word ‘flew’ loosely considering the length of my legs at that age may just have required a bit of assistance on the right rudder from the instructor.

 At 11, I was enrolled in a school holiday programme at Ardmore, surrounded by a group of much older boys. In hindsight it wasn’t filled with much practical content, but rather an introduction to the history of aviation. And to be blunt, the most enjoyable part for me was the trip to the UNICOM tower.

Those moments in the cockpit, that initial sensation in your stomach and the ground receding out the window undoubtedly lit my inherent passion alight. Later, at 14 and 15, I found myself flying again—this time in a little Texan in Dargaville.

Age 15

 At age 16, I enrolled in the NCEA/NZQA Gateway Programme, where I ironically found myself sitting the same ‘exams‘ I had encountered in the school holiday program four years prior. That same year, I visited the CTC/L3 Academy in Hamilton to see if it would be a suitable fit as my future flight school. The facilities were superb and it seemed to be a highly professional and tight operation at the time. The year following, I was invited to the selection process. There was initial psychometric testing, followed by an intense 8 hour selection day with more testing and interviews.

A month or two later the acceptance email finally arrived, I was on the bus home with my brother. I showed him the news but kept it to myself for the rest of the evening. Later, after football practice, I bought some sparkling grape juice (still underage, after all) and walked into my parents’ room with glasses in hand. It was both incredibly special and a reminder that all of these hypotheticals were becoming very, very real.

As is with many journeys, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. COVID-19 hit just as I was on the cusp of starting flight school. I had already arranged to live in Hamilton and was working long days and hours to renovate a flat I would live in. Around this time I vividly remember replying to an email from L3, only to receive an auto-response that the employee I was liaising with was no longer with the company. It was then that the reality of the situation sank in. And in the following days the news broke of L3’s closure, which felt pretty devastating in the moment.

Despite this setback, my mum got in touch with Waikato Aviation which was conveniently right next door to L3. I met the training manager at Waikato Aviation, who had actually worked at L3 and understood their rigorous selection process. I was accepted without hesitation. And so it began, WA quickly became my new home, and in February 2021, I packed up my life in Auckland and moved down to the mighty Waikato.

Starting Flight School

The following six months were in every way, shape and form a big step up from high school. We spent nearly half a year in ground school, knocking out every single exam in one stretch. Nine-hour days, five days a week—it was exhausting, mentally and physically, while simultaneously very motivating. I enjoyed the fact that I was learning something I’d genuinely be able to practically apply to my future, and the reward of flying was right around the corner.

That first solo flight is a feeling I’ll never forget, and it set the stage for the years of flying that followed—years filled with both joy and challenge. After passing my Private Pilot Licence I had the privilege of flying my first passengers — my Oma, Opa, and Aunty Shanae — which was a moment I had long anticipated. But perhaps my most poignant flight was with my Grandpa, who passed away eight months later. At that time, none of us knew he had cancer. Nor was I aware this flight would be one of our last shared experiences. It’s a memory I’ll always hold close and an absolute honour of a lifetime.

Levi and Grandpa

There was an abundance of other highlights too. I took many of my high school friends flying, giving them joyrides around the Auckland skyline, circling the Skytower and Rangitoto, then heading out over the Hauraki Gulf. Once, I picked up a mate at Ardmore, flew them to Tauranga for a coffee by the beach, and then brought them back home—all in the space of an afternoon.

One of my most memorable moments was flying my parents and brother to Great Barrier Island for a friend of their’s 50th birthday party. All the ferries were cancelled due to bad weather, but I managed to make the flight despite crosswinds and less-than-ideal conditions. It was a truly exceptional experience, and a validation of all the training and effort thus far. My parents expressed they were very proud, and I have to admit, it felt like a bit of a flex.

Another unforgettable experience was my involvement in setting up a proposal between my high school friends, Janco and Larissa. After months of conspiring with Janco, I flew the three of us to Great Barrier Island. After a walk to the beach, I poorly attempted an Oscar winning performance of “I forgot the key in the plane”, did a 180 and left them behind. Hidden in the bushes, a wee bit chilly and with nerves galore, I watched as he finally got down on one knee and proposed. Witnessing that was a very special moment and I was grateful to have been there.

During all this, I was also juggling a side gig as a professional video editor for businesses and YouTubers. It wasn’t easy, and I worked many long nights but the flexibility allowed me to work around my flying schedule and facilitated some financial security so I could focus on my training.

Achieving CPL

In March 2023 I passed my Commercial Pilot Licence, followed by my Multi Engine Instrument Rating in August and a multi crew training in late 2023. The end of my training was looming, along with the realisation of… where to from here!? I only had a few remaining ATPL examinations to tick off, so I started sending out CVs left and right in advance of me completing my course in its entirety. It seemed like every effort hit a wall, and I was given a quick but sharp reality check of the aviation job market in New Zealand.
That was until a serendipitous encounter in of all places… a supermarket. I had been in Napier for the first time in my life to assist in a renovation to earn a little bit of money. One evening on an innocent pizza pick up expedition I popped into Countdown while awaiting the order. In the drinks aisle, I spotted a man wearing what looked like a pilot uniform, minus the epaulets. The little animated angel on my shoulder said to approach him, but I hesitated. Maybe he wasn’t a pilot, or maybe he wouldn’t want to be bothered.

As fate would have it, ten minutes later, we both walked out of the store at the same time. I felt like the universe was giving me a second opportunity, so I went up to him and introduced myself.

“Are you a pilot?” I asked. With a nod of acknowledgment and radiating enthusiasm, he explained that he was indeed a pilot for a company in Napier. I still explicitly remember him saying that it was gutsy call to approach him, as he could have just as easily been a security guard. But I know a pilot when I see one. We ended up talking for about 20 minutes in the parking lot—long enough that my pizza was lukewarm by the time I got home. But the conversation was no doubt worth it. We exchanged numbers, and the next day I sent him some documents to help with his TTMRA application, which I had just  recently completed myself to assist with job opportunities in Australia.

A few weeks later, after returning to Napier, we met up for coffee at Bay Espresso in Taradale. There was deep conversation—about life, flying, and his career working for an airline called “Susi Air” in Indonesia. And near the end of our chat, he offered to pass my CV on to his contacts at Susi Air. I had applied a few months prior, but this felt like the opening I had been waiting for.

One week followed, and I received a message: “Hey mate, your CV has been sent through.” Three hours later, an email appeared in my inbox: “Invitation for Initial Interview in Pangandaran.”

It felt rather surreal, and I spent the next several days asking myself endless “what if” questions.

At this point in time, I was still technically enrolled at Waikato Aviation, with only a few remaining ATPL exams to complete through remote online study. After this I would officially finish my Diploma. So now I was stuck with the ultimatum of either flying to Indonesia for the interview, and a job opportunity that was far from guaranteed. Or stay in New Zealand, tick off the remainder of my ATPLs, and get a piece of paper.

It couldn’t have been a more obvious choice.

The days before I departed went way too quickly, but I still made the most of spending time with friends and family. I didn’t say goodbye to many people, since there was still the possibility of me being back two weeks later, which would have been a bit awkward.

One thing that was particularly challenging with minimal time left was epaulet shirts. Susi Air requested you show up at the interview with a white pilot shirt and black pants - but all my Waikato Aviation shirts were blue. Thankfully, I found a contact from Air NZ who graciously helped me out.

So the morning of the 12th of February came. There I was, about to fly out on my own, with no real plan in mind other than to get to Indonesia. It was daunting, exciting, adventurous, sad and I was stoked all at once. With a one-way ticket to Jakarta, I packed my bags, said goodbye to New Zealand, and set off on the next chapter of my aviation journey.

Leaving New Zealand and heading off for a great adventure - and a flying job!

Arriving in Jakarta, I had very few expectations and a blank canvas for what are now vivid and core memories.

The following day I took the Indonesian equivalent of Uber called “Gojek” to the airport, and took my first Susi Air flight to Pangandaran, a small coastal town off of south Java. In the Susi Air lounge I noticed a first officer who looked like he was in his mid twenties. I went over and introduced myself, and we got chatting about his time at Susi Air. He had only become a first officer a couple of months before, but he had plenty to share, particularly surrounding the training experience. He was also from Australia, so it was nice to feel just a bit closer to home while being thousands of kilometres away.

I then flew to Pangandaran, and over the following days I participated in the interview process, consisting of a written test based on CPL, Cessna Caravan and IFR knowledge. That was followed by a simulator session under a reasonably high amount of stress - as any mistake would have sent me straight back home to New Zealand. The next day brought psychometric tests and an interview with the Chief Pilot, and two other employees. The longer I was there the more my confidence grew that I may just get the job, as many Susi Air candidates get sent home quickly if they aren’t going to pass.

A few days passed after my tests until I was told in person by the Operations Manager and Chief Pilot that I was officially accepted into the Susi Air training, and as long as I passed, I would officially become a first officer! Simply put, I was ecstatic.

Pangandaran Airport

For the next few weeks and months I had my head buried in books, and spent many late evenings practicing flows and checklists with a poster of the Cessna Caravan cockpit on the wall. I had a few wonderful classmates as well, who made the experience even more of a joy. After classes and more study, we eventually sat a long list of written exams to prepare us for the simulator, which I inevitably passed! While completing our simulator sessions I also took a couple of fun excursions to Singapore and Jakarta for my work visa, Indonesian medical, and a few tests required by the Indonesian aviation authority.

This was followed by a few very tough weeks of the simulator, where we would have to pass 4 flights followed by a final test. Each flight was a full IFR route in poor weather conditions. There would be a multitude of emergencies along the way, everything from full GPS failures, to engine fires, radio failures, door open warnings, electrical issues, all while having a thunderstorm directly over the final approach path. And the most challenging part - the decision making process was entirely my responsibility even as a second in command in training. The standard was high, but given the conditions we need to fly in, in real life, it’s justified.

Five simulator passes later, I was pacing onto the apron at Nusawiru Airport, not a breeze to be felt and the scintillating morning sun creeping through the clouds, I took a moment to pinch myself and ask “Is this really about to happen”? I was seriously going to fly this legendary machine.

Officially a First Officer - Levi second from right

So that brings me to today. In my first four and a half months flying in Indonesia I’ve experienced enough highlights to feel like I could retire tomorrow.

I’ve logged over 300 hours, 310 flights, and 150 takeoffs and landings into more than 32 different locations as the Pilot Flying (PF).

The most adventurous runway I’ve landed on so far is an 800 metre strip with a 3% upslope, and no go around option - once you’re committed, you’re well and truly committed. This runway still falls short of many strips I’ll eventually get to see in Papua - as short as 500 metres, grass and 12% upslope! Pretty ridiculous.

I had a near-emergency situation when we had a “chip detector” warning, which was exciting and a brilliant learning experience.

I’ve flown past too many volcanoes to count, including some active, and even some volcanic ash in our view.

I’ve flown through through international Singaporean airspace, and landed into major international airports like Medan and Palembang.

My longest single day so far was 10 flights, and 8 hours of logged flight time.

My schedule is a 4 weeks on, and 2 weeks off. So I get plenty of holiday to balance out the hard work.

Life onboard - Levi living his best life so far.

My captain and I opened a brand new route for the company to an island with an air force base.

If all goes well, I’ll be a captain half way through next year, and I’m already preparing for the evaluations.

I’m now producing daily video content on social media, with over 100 videos already posted about my day to day flying and lifestyle in Indonesia. (Melissa here - check out his Youtube channel and his latest video is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4plEpwmb9-Y&t=893s )

Here are his other channels:-

Here is Tiktok
Here is Instagram
Lastly  Facebook

My ultimate goal is to one day captain an A380.

Every day is an absolute joy, and I’m not taking for granted how fortunate I am to be in this position.

I wanted to end with a few pieces of advice for finding your first pilot job or you’re someone who’s just about to embark on their journey in flight school - this is what I would have told my past self if I had the opportunity.

1) Don’t always settle for the easy route and be willing to make sacrifices. It’s easy to stay comfortable, but if you want bigger and better opportunities, you have to seek them out - they won’t come to you. If you know you want to be doing bigger and better things, then don’t sit at home waiting. I’ve heard stories of kiwi pilots doing road trips in Africa with the final remaining pennies in their pockets to find their first job. If you want it badly enough you’ll get it.

2) Figure out your learning style now. Don’t waste your time writing notes if you’re a visual learner and vice versa. I learned significantly more from YouTube than from books or notes. It’s about being effective and efficient. So study smarter and not just harder.

3) Make your personal “average” above average. Whether that’s aiming for the correct numbers on an approach, or doing something as simple as cleaning up the aircraft after yourself. Don’t do the bare minimum because it’s convenient. It goes a long way to help everyone else as well as making you a better pilot.

4) The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Happy landings to you all,

Levi

A coffee break in the mountains