Video summary

Why I Was Forced to Stop Japan Pilot Training

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News and Commentary

Overview

An aviation enthusiast explains why his pilot training in Japan was abruptly halted, even though he loved his flight school and found the process—strict procedures and a strong, safety-focused culture—highly worthwhile.

Training in Japan (Tokyo–Kagoshima)

  • While training on the Tokyo–Kagoshima route, an accident occurred involving the company he was training with.
  • The accident investigation reportedly lasted nearly two years.
  • After the accident, flight operations connected to the company were suspended, citing a government “business improvement order” and/or related regulatory action around September 2024.
  • As a result, he could not:
    • continue flying,
    • progress through key milestones, including missing the chance to complete solo training.

Attempts to Continue Under U.S. Rules

For more than a year, he tried to resolve training options under U.S. rules for foreign students, describing challenges such as:

  • tight post-9/11 regulations,
  • visa and documentation requirements,
  • restrictions on official training.

Transition to Canada (Vancouver)

He announces that he is continuing pilot training instead in Vancouver, Canada.

  • Because he is a Canadian resident (born in Canada), the transition was smoother.
  • His new instructor also trained alongside him in Japan under the same mentor, helping the change feel seamless.
  • Early training in Vancouver is described as going well overall, though he had a scary early moment:
    • he nearly experienced a mid-air collision involving other traffic.

He also notes differences in the training environment:

  • Vancouver airspace/training areas are busier and less structured than Japan’s controlled training setup.
  • This leads to local nicknames like “Death Valley.”

Goals and Message

  • His immediate plan is to complete a Private Pilot License (PPL).
  • The video emphasizes perseverance:
    • pilot training is expensive and filled with obstacles,
    • aviation communities generally understand these hurdles and can motivate each other.

He frames the Japan stoppage as a delay rather than an end point, affirming that both his broader aviation journey and content creation continue.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Chris Palmer (Angle of Attack)
  • The pilot trainee (main narrator; the person whose Japan training was interrupted)

Original video