A passion takes flight: my journey to becoming a pilot

Since the dawn of time, humans have dreamed of flying. Growing up in Quebec, Canada, I remember hearing the faintest sound of a plane in the distance and my head would automatically turn to the sky. I watched it intensely, imagining other places and other horizons.

Born in Switzerland and raised in Quebec, my dream of flying began on a flight from Zurich to Montreal. A visit to the cockpit sealed my future. Although I was very young, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life: to fly like a bird, to explore other countries and to see other horizons. I was determined to make that dream a reality.

Working my way up: from odd jobs to the cockpit

I worked hard, taking any job that would bring me close to a plane or an airport. I flew seaplanes in Canada, in Quebec and British Columbia, before heading to more exotic skies.

Soaring above limits: a pilot's pursuit of dreams and adventure

My first real trip overseas was to Vietnam, with my pilot licence in my pocket but little experience. I had no job, but I set off on a wonderful adventure that opened my eyes to Asia's food, culture, music and people. It sparked my wanderlust, and I had no idea that fate would one day bring me back to Asia, flying seaplanes.

Learning to see the world through different eyes

For a year I flew amphibious seaplanes in Madagascar, carrying tourists by day and discovering the music, nightlife and joie de vivre of the locals by night.

Bali, Indonesia, was my next stop, where life came to a halt after the terrorist attack in Kuta's nightlife district. That experience showed me the darker side of humanity, and made me realise that whatever our cultural origins, we all feel the same emotions, the same pain and the same suffering.

Discovering beauty amid turmoil

One of the most memorable chapters of my life was the two years I spent in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a pilot for a humanitarian organisation during the war. It was intense and emotional. The bonds I formed with my colleagues in those conditions are still strong, and some have become lifelong friends. Some of my colleagues lost their lives during that time, and they will never be forgotten.

Living and working in Afghanistan was a rare privilege. I discovered a proud and generous people, despite all the suffering and hardship they have faced, and continue to face.

Coming to the Philippines: fulfilling a lifelong dream

All of these experiences led me back to Asia, and to the Philippines, my new home. For several years I divided my time between the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, where I worked as an airline pilot for the national airline.

From dream to reality: Palawan's first seaplane airline

With thousands of islands, beaches, crystal-clear waters and an abundance of wildlife, the Philippines has so much to offer. My dream of sharing this wonderful country from the air with adventurous souls led me to create Horizon Sun Charters. With the savings of a lifetime, I bought a seaplane in Quebec and brought it to Palawan to establish the region's first seaplane airline.

Versatile seaplanes: from tourism to emergencies

The seaplane is the best way to reach remote places, and it has a small footprint on the environment. It serves tourism, business travel, cargo, medical emergencies, and repatriation when bad weather cuts off other routes.

Building a future for Filipino seaplane pilots

I want this dream to last. My goal is to train Filipino pilots and to make Horizon Sun Charters a project for and by the Filipino people. I want to share my knowledge and experience with new pilots who dream of flying, just as I did, and to make Horizon Sun Charters a company the Philippines can be proud of.