Jim Ashby, Dragonair's deputy manager for line operations, was destined for a career in aviation.
His father was a flight engineer and, while still a child, Mr Ashby developed a love for aircraft and a fascination for everything associated with them.
He obtained his private pilot's licence in Hong Kong, soon after reaching the mandatory age, and built up flying hours dropping weekend skydivers over the former British air base at Shek Kong.
He also qualified as a flight instructor and was soon helping other would-be pilots get their wings.
That proved excellent experience and led to a distinguished 14-year period flying for commercial airlines on everything from long-haul routes for the biggest operators to short trips around the region for smaller charter outfits.
Mr Ashby still gets to fly but not as much as before. His role with the operations department at Dragonair, essentially involves co-ordinating all the information that affects the day-to-day running of the company's fleet of aircraft.