21 July 2025
A dream, years in the making, has taken flight for one dedicated new pilot, thanks to a partnership between the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and ADF.
PNGDF Lieutenant Heydan Chan has achieved his Commercial Pilot's Licence from the National Aviation Academy in Townsville, as part of the PNGDF Pilot Training Continuum supported by the ADF, a milestone that had been years in planning for the nine-year PNGDF veteran.
“My career interest was always to pursue aviation, even before joining the military,” Lieutenant Chan said.
“The terrain back home is really tough for our soldiers, so being able to help in whatever way I can in the aviation field is a bonus.”
Lieutenant Chan’s achievement has taken significant sacrifice and tenacity. He completed his training without peer support and living away from his family and three-year-old child.
Originally, four participants were identified, but Lieutenant Chan was ultimately the only graduate, demonstrating his resolve, according to Royal Australian Air Force Air Liaison Officer Squadron Leader Bob Knight.
“He has single-minded determination – he's so focused and that's really what’s got him through, considering he’s done it all on his own without that peer support you would normally get,” Squadron Leader Knight said.
“Pilots need to be dedicated enough to learn and do the hard work, and he’s definitely proved that he can do that.”
Training at a civilian flying school was trialled due to its proximity to PNG and the expertise of Squadron Leader Knight, who had run similar training through the same flying school with Air Force Cadets for almost a decade.
The former Air Force and Qantas pilot said the request came from the PNGDF as a result of a partnership between PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing and RAAF, who are working closely together to build PNG’s sovereign aviation capability.
Lieutenant Chan said increasing his defence force’s capability was just one outcome of the trial – strengthening the partnership between the two countries was another.
“The Australian-PNG relationship is a good one,” he said. “Not only bilaterally, but because we’re neighbours as well.
“I think it strengthens the relationship we already have and brings us closer together.”
Two PNGDF pilot trainees have also since started flight training at RAAF Base Point Cook, heralding a strong future for PNGDF’s air capability.
