Meet the Team - World Pilot Day - Ray Fang - Dash 8 First Officer
Name: Ray Fang
Job Title: Dash 8 First Officer
Years at CMA: 8 Months
What inspired you to become a pilot?
Unlike many pilots I've met who knew they wanted to fly since childhood, aviation wasn't even on my radar until much later. It wasn't until my first year of university, one random afternoon after class, that I stumbled across YouTube videos of people flying Cessna 172s. I thought, "Wow, that looks really cool," but I didn't think much of it at first. However, the more I watched, the more intrigued I became. Something about it just stuck with me, and before long, I couldn't shake the feeling that flying was something I had to try.
So, the following weekend, I signed up for an intro flight at my local flight school, the Calgary Flying Club—honestly, not knowing what to expect. But the second my instructor called "rotate," and we lifted off the ground, I was hooked. Or, as pilots say, I caught the flying bug. Everything about the experience spoke to me—the views, the sense of freedom, and the exhilaration of being in control of the aircraft. I couldn't stop thinking about it. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had finally found something that truly sparked my passion.
From that point on, aviation became my obsession. I wanted to learn everything I could, experience every aspect of flying, and push myself to do more. By the following summer, after school slowed down, I committed fully to earning my pilot's license. I spent the next couple of years taking lessons, earning my PPL, CPL, MIFR, and eventually my instructor rating. I even ended up teaching at the same flight school I'd started, giving others the same experience that set my journey in motion. Looking back, it feels like the most natural decision I've ever made—even though I never planned for it in the beginning.
What continues to astound me is how something as seemingly insignificant as watching a YouTube video and signing up for a discovery flight could alter the entire course of my life. To borrow an analogy from aviation, the most minor, seemingly inconsequential adjustments we make—like a slight change in heading—can profoundly impact our ultimate trajectory. Even a few degrees of deviation can lead to entirely different destinations. Every day, I'm grateful for that pivotal moment and the incredible journey it set in motion.
What does a typical day look like for you as a pilot?
A typical day as a pilot starts early—sometimes before 4 a.m.—usually in Vancouver, Calgary, or Kelowna. I wake up, check my schedule and emails, and then review the weather reports, forecasts, and flight plans. It's a routine I've followed since my student pilot days, but each day still feels a little different. I take a moment to journal, reflect on what I could do better, and set small goals for the day ahead. Then, I head to a nearby Starbucks or Tim Hortons for coffee while listening to an audiobook or podcast. Since graduating from university, I feel like my brain doesn't get as much stimulation as it used to, so I try to expose myself to new ideas or wrestle with new concepts. If I have a later report time, I squeeze in a quick run or workout to clear my head before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the day.
Next, it's off to the airport—whether I'm flying out of my home base or a new city. Sometimes I drive; other times, I catch a shuttle—it depends on where I am. When I meet the crew, we go over the flight details: weather, passenger manifest, flight times, emergency procedures, and anything else that might come up. It's the same routine every time, but that sense of anticipation always exists. The crew plays a massive part in this—everyone has their quirks and ways of doing things, but we all mesh together to get the job done.
Once at the aircraft, I begin the pre-flight check. This involves a thorough walk-around, system checks, FMS programming, and obtaining our IFR clearance from ATC. I take my time, ensuring every aspect is in order. The unpredictability of flying necessitates this vigilance. Once everything is checked, it's time to climb into the cockpit, or as I call it, 'Dash 8 yoga'. Takeoff never loses its excitement. No matter how many times I've done it, that moment when the wheels leave the ground still gets me grinning. You'd think it would fade, but it doesn't. It's one of those moments that feels like pure freedom—the world falls away for a second, and all you've got is the sky in front of you.
Once airborne, I prefer to hand-fly the aircraft as long as possible before engaging the autopilot. Coming from the instructing world, where autopilots are a rare luxury, I like to keep my stick and rudder skills sharp. When the autopilot finally gets turned on, the rhythm of the flight sets in—managing aircraft performance, navigating, communicating with ATC, adjusting for weather—it's a dance. After a while, it all becomes second nature. There are moments, especially on longer flights, when I lean back in my seat, gaze out the window, and simply appreciate the view. Sometimes, it's a breathtaking sunrise over the Rockies; other times, it's a sea of clouds stretching as far as the eye can see. It's one of the best parts of the job—being up there, where time and distance feel a little different.
After landing, we do a quick debrief, head to the hotel or prep for the next flight. Some days, I get a few hours to explore a new city—grab a bite, check out a local walking trail. Other times, it's all about catching some rest before the next leg of the journey. The schedule can be unpredictable at CMA, but that's part of the draw. One day you're in a bustling city; the next, you're in a tiny town you've never heard of. It's always keeping you on your toes.
What's been your most memorable moment on the job?
One of the most memorable moments on the job came during a flight over Springbank Airport in a Dash 8, which holds a special place for me. It was where I did my initial flight training and had many memorable moments. So, flying over it again, but this time as an airline pilot, was something I'll never forget. As we flew over the airport, I started hearing all the familiar callsigns over the radio—the same ones I used to hear when I was training, as well as the voices of my former instructors. It was surreal. It felt like a full-circle moment: from being a student pilot, listening to the callsigns of the big turbine aircraft with wide-eyed excitement, to now being the one flying the airplane. It reminded me of how far I've come and how much those early days shaped the pilot I am today. The experience was a mix of nostalgia and pride, and it's something I'll always hold on to.
What qualities do you think make a great pilot?
I think what makes a great pilot boils down to a few key things. First, you've got to have the technical skills—know your aircraft, understand the systems, and stay sharp with your procedures. But it's more than just knowing how to fly the plane; it's also about being thorough and paying attention to the little details. If something's off, even slightly, it could snowball into a more serious issue.
That said, I think adaptability is essential. Things don't always go as planned, and you've got to be able to roll with the punches. Whether weather changes, last-minute flight plans, or unexpected delays, being flexible and staying calm is essential. You don't always have control over the situation, but you can control how you react.
Communication is another big one. As much as we're in the cockpit alone, it's never really just us. You've got to be able to communicate clearly with the crew, air traffic control, dispatch, and the passengers when needed. Being judicious with your words is critical in aviation.
And finally, I'd say emotional regulation. Flying can sometimes be intense, and staying grounded when things get hectic makes all the difference. A great pilot doesn't panic or let stress take over—they remain calm and make thoughtful decisions. At the end of the day, it's about being responsible, humble, and always learning from every flight. There's always room to improve; that mindset helps you grow as a pilot.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a pilot?
If you're considering a career as a pilot, I'd say start by being honest with yourself about why you want to do it. Flying is incredible, but it's not all glamour and adventure. It's a lot of hours, hard work, sacrifice, and a huge responsibility. The training can be intense and expensive, and the learning curve is steep. But if you're genuinely fascinated by aviation and the challenge of flying, you'll find it worth it.
One thing I didn't realize at first was how much you have to manage your mental and physical health. Your brain has to stay sharp, and your body has to be in good shape to handle the demands of the job—long hours, circadian disruption, radiation, and EMF exposure, the stress of decision-making, all of it. So, don't neglect your health. Make time for exercise, rest, and mental downtime.
Another thing is to try to find mentors along the way. Many people have gone through the grind from student pilot to airline pilot before, and their experiences can be incredibly valuable.
At the end of the day, being a pilot is about committing to the process, not just the destination. There will be challenging moments, times when you feel like you're not where you want to be, but those are the moments that shape you. It’s not always a linear path, but every bit of it is part of what makes you better. Keep showing up, keep learning, and stay curious about the little things. The more you invest in the journey, the more rewarding it becomes. The view from the cockpit is incredible, but it's the work behind it that makes it all worthwhile.