Captain Nguyen Dinh Dang of the 919 Flight Crew Division has 50 years on the air. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA) - Experienced pilot Nguyen Dinh Dang, who had 50 years of flying with the Vietnam People’s Air Force and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, cannot conceal his emotion in his last flight before retirement.
Stepping out of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s cockpit, captain Dang received rapturous applause and flowers from his colleagues. This was also the last minutes in his 50-year career.
Dang felt proud as he had strong devotion to his career.
Although Dang got his retirement five years ago, his health and ability still meets rigorous requirements to continue controlling flights.
Recalling his first days with the career, Dang said he was chosen by the Vietnam People’s Air Force to attend a pilot training course while he was at high school in Thach That district, Ha Tay province (now part of Hanoi). He was also among the students to sign as soldiers after an appeal to join the national efforts in the resistance war against the US emperors.
He was then sent to study at an aviation academy in the Soviet Union. After three-year training, Dang came back home and worked for the Military Aviation Brigade 918 before moving to the national flag carrier.
Dang has glorious and unforgettable time with his comrades while carrying out missions to protect the southwestern borders, defend the national sea and island sovereignty, and safeguard the national exclusive economic zone.
“18 years in the army helps train me to become a person of resilience and self-discipline”, Dang stressed.
Working for Vietnam Airlines for 30 years, Dang excellently fulfilled his entrusted missions, and had significant contributions to the training work of the 919 Flight Crew Division and the whole corporation as well.
“I had nearly 30,000 flight hours, and I can control ten kinds of aircraft, from old-fashioned planes produced by the Soviet Union to the world’s most modern Boeing-787. I tried my best to complete the missions, deserving the tradition of the Vietnam People’s Air Force”.
Co-pilot Vu Quoc Trung, a student of Dang years ago, said he felt lucky to receive training from Dang, who shared a lot of experiences and stories about the career with Trung before leaving the culprit.
Captain Nguyen Dinh Dang and his son – pilot Nguyen Dinh Quoc Hoan – co-pilot of A350 aircraft (Photo: VietnamPlus) Feeling satisfied when saying goodbye to the skies as a pilot, Dang glowed with pride of his family. His son also pursues his career, and the corporation arranged them in the same flight before Dang retired.
Talking about his wife, who also worked in the aviation sector, Dang said she sacrificed herself for him and their kids. She took care of the family while Dang, a long-haul pilot, was usually absent from home.
Dang was so sad as his wife passed away a few years ago due to serious illness, and at that time he was on a mission to Germany.
He always remembers his wife in the success and happiness in his career. Her thoughtful attitude and love is invaluable for him and his children./.
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