Faculty Spotlight: Dr. James Hwang

When James Hwang began his career as a radiologist in South Korea, he couldn’t have imagined that one day he’d be piloting his own aircraft, let alone helping others earn their wings. But that’s exactly where he ended up, and now as the Chair of Aviation at Capitol Tech, he couldn’t be happier with where the skies have taken him. 

Dr. Hwang originally came to the U.S. to pursue a teaching position related to his prior specialization in radiology. The job offer came with a sponsorship for permanent residency, so he felt it was too good to refuse. The potential to obtain a pilot’s license in the states was an attractive draw too, as he was barred from pursuing his dream of aviation in South Korea due to not meeting vision acuity requirements. In the U.S. however, he was able to correct his vision with glasses and in 2005, obtained his private pilot’s license.  

As he adjusted to life in the U.S., Hwang realized his passion for education. While teaching medical imaging science and enjoying hobby flying in his spare time, he decided he wanted to combine his love for teaching with his adventurous spirit and begin flight instruction. After earning his credentials, he taught flight instruction part time for several years before seeking full time roles. “By 2019, I began thinking about retirement and decided I would much rather retire from an airplane hangar than a hospital,” Hwang explained. 

His pursuits led him to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he quickly gained momentum and earned between 300 and 400 instruction hours within a single year. Later he moved on to teach aviation at one of the SUNY campuses in New York, then Spartan College in Colorado, and finally Capitol Tech where he now chairs the aviation program. 

Hwang says the level of motivation seen in American learners is refreshing. Where he taught previously, the lack of passion among his pupils was palpable despite his efforts to enthuse them. They commonly showed up for class unprepared, which affected their grades. He believes this apathetic attitude towards education is a growing trend that, without the encouragement of persistent educators, could prevent people from achieving lucrative careers. However, after beginning work with aviation students in the U.S., he regained hope as he witnessed their passion and burning desire to earn pilot credentials.  

As an educator, Hwang emphasizes the importance of meticulously planning all aspects of your aviation education. Having a clear roadmap of your goals and what skills you want to develop during your practice flights can save substantial time and money, which is greatly important when in-air flight instruction can cost upwards of $250 per hour and the minimum number of test hours needed to attain a pilot’s license is 35. Many students get so caught up in the thrill of flying that they neglect to practice critical skills necessary for their licensing, resulting in more practice hours needed and more money spent. As he prepares to begin teaching Capitol students in the fall, Hwang is developing courses and curriculums that will ensure students remain focused. 

Perhaps the most novel and rewarding aspect of Hwang’s aviation career is his involvement with ‘Pilots N Paws,’ a nonprofit charity that allows private pilots to transport animals by air to their new homes. As an avid pilot and dog lover, Hwang leapt at the opportunity and has flown around 200 pets with the program. One of his favorite memories was a last minute flight he accepted on New Year’s Eve 2019, to transport an aggressive German Shepherd facing euthanasia across the country to be adopted by its former trainer, the only person capable of handling it. Hwang had been looking forward to celebrating at home with family, but when he realized the dog’s life was in his hands, he sacrificed his holiday in order to fly 27 hours to its new home. 

Capitol Tech is grateful to welcome such a knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate educator to our academic community. Dr. Hwang is eager to begin working with students and helping them  prepare for soaring success.