Meet the Team - Women in Aviation - Skye Hou- First Officer

Name: Skye Hou

Job Title: First Officer

Years at CMA: 4 Months

What first sparked your interest in aviation, and how did that initial curiosity turn into a career?

One of the biggest airlines in the country where I was from was recruiting cadets, and said that I didn't meet their requirements, so I decided that they were wrong. I came to Canada and became an airline pilot anyway! 

What is your current role at the airline, and what does a typical day look like for you?

I am the co-pilot of an airliner. I usually fly around 5 and a half hours a day and get to go home at the end of the day. Work is fun! 

What has been the most rewarding moment of your aviation career so far?

When I traveled to Germany for my first aircraft type rating of an airliner, and got signed off to fly that beautiful bird with passengers, that was a very satisfying moment. 

Was there a defining moment when you knew aviation was where you belonged?

The first day I worked as a commercial pilot/flight instructor, in fact, the first flight, the weather got worse and caused an abnormal operation involving several aircraft at a critical portion of the flight. I had to make a split-second decision to resolve the situation, and everyone landed safely. And there have been several situations that required critical thinking since then, and I always stayed calm and dealt with the issues at hand. That's when I knew! 

What unique strengths do you think women bring to aviation and regional airline operations?

Women naturally take fewer risks in general, which is important in aviation as safety is our top priority. Women also have better attention to detail and better ability to multitask, both of which are crucial for aviation. 

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you navigate them?

Radio communication was something I had to work on a lot during the beginning of my training since English is my second language, and I didn't really speak it until I came to Canada. I spent a lot of time improving it, and it paid off! I think! 

Who has mentored or influenced you along the way?

Bill Bulek is the best instructor I've had during my training; he's very knowledgeable and skilled, and incredibly funny. He's the kind of flight instructor I wanted to be when I was getting my instructor rating, and it pushed me to try and be better during my time at flight schools. 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in aviation — especially in a regional airline environment?

Work hard and persevere; don’t give anyone any reason to say that you don’t belong. 

How do you maintain balance between a demanding aviation career and your personal life?

Honestly, I just love flying so much that I wish I could work every day! But part of being a pilot is thinking ahead and making plans, basically, if you really love something or someone, life finds a way! 

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

There's a pandemic in 2020, and it's going to stall your career for three years! Study harder and get out of school earlier!