Hone Editorial

Many of you know me, but for those who don’t, I’m Zihe Wang. Earlier this year, I achieved my Recreational Pilot Licence - a milestone that’s shaped me in more ways than I could have anticipated. While the licence marks the formal completion of a stage in my aviation journey, the experience has been far more than just technical training. It has tested and deepened my capacity for discipline, clear thinking, and personal accountability.

I train out of Moorabbin Airport in a Cirrus SR20 aircraft - renowned for its advanced avionics and safety systems. Each flight demands extensive preparation: flight planning, weather evaluation, and scenario briefings, all before the engine even starts. Once airborne, I’m constantly assessing altitude, heading, and airspeed, while staying attuned to rapidly changing and frankly ridiculous Melbourne weather. In the cockpit, every choice carries weight, and the margin for error narrows quickly. It’s high-stakes decision-making, and that has a lasting impact well beyond aviation.

The defining moment of this journey was my first solo flight. As my instructor stepped out and the door closed behind me, the reality of flying alone truly sank in. That short circuit around the runway was one of the most intense yet empowering 7 minutes of my life. Every noise felt sharper, every input more deliberate but also responsive; when I touched down, I knew I had crossed a threshold. Not just in flight, but in maturity and self-trust.

Since then, I’ve continued to push boundaries: performing departures to other airports, handling dynamic weather systems, and refining communication under pressure. But perhaps the greatest value of aviation has been in how it’s reshaped my approach to life. I’ve become more resilient under pressure, more meticulous in planning, and more reflective when things (frequently) don’t go to plan. Whether it’s performing in music ensembles such as the MGSSO; managing leadership responsibilities and projects; or simply handling a challenging subject (lowkey might drop Latin); I find myself drawing from the same mindset I’ve cultivated in the air.

I’m deeply grateful to my instructor, whose calm guidance helped me grow as both a pilot and a person, and to the Hone community, which has always embodied ambition, individuality and excellence.

From the cockpit, you learn to see things from a broader perspective. For me, aviation has offered exactly that - a new lens through which I view challenge, foster growth, and develop responsibility.

Thank you.