Charting their path in the skies
// STORY BY DARREN KHO /PHOTOS BY JOHN ENOCH & COURTESY OF SYFC
From passion to flight: Students Cherie Goh and Alexey Cher fulfilled their childhood aspirations to attain their “wings”.
She was watching an aircraft soar overhead with her father when he said, “Maybe one day, that’ll be you flying”. Those words ignited Cherie Goh’s passion for aviation.
Growing up, she was inspired by her father's stories about the pilots he worked with, as well as how his role contributed to their missions. Military Expert (ME) 5 Goh Chee Eng is an engineer in the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF's) Air Engineering and Logistics Department.
Cherie often visited RSAF events, such as the RSAF Open House, with her father.
"I remember being amazed by the capability displays, sitting in the cockpit of the F-16 and playing in the flight simulator," recalled the 18-year-old Raffles Institution student.
She even had an opportunity to fly on the CH-47 Chinook during the RSAF50 Open House in 2019. “I’ll never forget looking out from the back of the Chinook and spotting landmarks like the Causeway and even my own house!”
Braving the storm
By the age of 16, Cherie knew exactly what she wanted — to fly. She applied to the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) in 2022 and began her journey towards earning her Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Juggling her flying commitments alongside preparing for her A-levels required a tremendous amount of time management and focus.
" There were times when it felt like 24 hours in a day just wasn’t enough," she admitted.
Through careful prioritisation and with the unwavering support of her parents, she managed to stay on top of both her academic and flying responsibilities. She even achieved the Best-in-Ground School award in her SYFC PPL course.
Through it all, Cherie’s experiences have only strengthened her determination to become an RSAF pilot. Her sights are set on the fighter pilot track – with a particular interest in operating the RSAF’s advanced systems, like the F-35 fighter jets.
"The challenge excites me, and I can't wait to contribute to defending our nation from the skies.”
From plane spotting to piloting
Fellow graduand Alexey Cher has come a long way since his early days of plane spotting at Changi Beach.
“My dad used to take me to Changi Beach at night to watch planes take off and land. I guess that’s when the aviation bug bit me and I discovered the hobby of plane spotting,” said the 20-year-old Temasek Polytechnic Aerospace Engineering student.
Eager to learn more, he joined the SYFC Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) programme in secondary school where he was introduced to aeromodelling and flight simulators. This deepened his curiosity and fuelled his desire to fly an aircraft one day.
Becoming a virtual Black Knight
In 2018, Alexey’s love for aviation soared to new heights when he joined a group of SYFC students to fly in formation virtually – on home flight simulators.
This initiative later evolved into the SYFC Virtual Black Knights (VBK), which performed during the RSAF55 Virtual Open House in 2023. Alexey was a part of the team.
“Flying aerobatics in formation required immense discipline, teamwork, and being receptive to feedback and grit. It (has) taught me that even if things get tough, I have to keep at it and continue to push through.”
Getting his wings
Still, his first solo flight last June stands out as one of the most rewarding moments in his life.
“Taking off and landing by myself, without an instructor, was surreal. I had earned the trust of my instructor and proved to myself that I had the skills to pilot an aircraft solo before I could even drive a car!”
Over the course of his year-long flying journey with SYFC, Alexey went from mastering basic aircraft handling to learning more advanced manoeuvres.
He describes the flying course as a perfect balance of challenge and exhilaration, with every flight adding to his confidence and love for the skies.
These experiences – along with others like performing at the RSAF Open House and interacting with RSAF personnel at events – have only strengthened his aspiration to become a pilot in the RSAF.
“My goal is to fly a fighter aircraft and safeguard our skies.”
