Behind the Cockpit: My Experience Flying in Taiwan's Airspace & TransAsia Airways

Flying in Taiwan: A Story of TransAsia Airways Ever wondered what it’s like to fly in Taiwan? From flying through typhoons to navigating challenging airspace, my 15 months with TransAsia Airways was packed with unforgettable experiences. In this video, I’ll share the highs and lows of my time in Taiwan, dive into the airline's turbulent history, and reveal behind-the-scenes insights that shaped my flying journey. Buckle up,it's going to be an interesting ride! Social Links Social Links 🔗   / flywithmagnar     / flywithmagnar     / magnar-nordal      / @flywithmagnar   "New Moon" 🎵 🎼 Created and produced by Miho Terachi. 🎷 Performed by Miho Terachi (sax) and Marie Takeda (piano). 🎙️ Recorded at Sparkling Studio, Japan.    / @terachimiho   I’m diving into my 15-month flying experience in Taiwan with TransAsia Airways, a journey full of highs, lows, and unforgettable memories. In this video, I’ll walk you through the history of Taiwan's aviation, its unique licensing situation, and my experiences in a region where flying came with its own set of challenges. Officially the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan operates outside of ICAO’s licensing system, making it the only country in the world with this peculiar distinction. Despite this, the Taiwanese aviation industry adheres to many of the same standards as ICAO member states. I was hired by TransAsia Airways, which, unfortunately, became infamous after two fatal accidents within seven months. I'll take you through the airline's history, its tragic incidents, and the cultural factors that contributed to these disasters. I also share what it was like to be part of the team that stepped in after the airline’s leadership began reevaluating safety protocols post-accidents. Flying with TransAsia was both challenging and rewarding. From working with a mix of veteran Taiwanese captains and fellow expat pilots to navigating the tough decision-making environment created by a fear-based company culture, every day was a challenge. Despite the difficult circumstances, Taiwan is an incredible place to live. Taipei, in particular, offered a vibrant and safe environment with a fantastic food scene, stunning views, and rich cultural experiences. Beyond work, I also recount my travels around Taiwan, from experiencing the famous Taipei 101, to the beauty of places like Yehliu Geopark. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. I experieced typhoons, weathered earthquakes. And then there was the surprising and humbling experience of flying through Taiwan's extensive airspace with constant, looming political tension with mainland China. The video also delves into Taiwan’s air traffic control, their fascinating military history, and the quirks of flying across its multiple islands, all while trying to stay safe amidst unpredictable weather. In the end, TransAsia Airways was grounded after mounting financial losses and public mistrust. It was a bittersweet ending to an incredible chapter of my aviation career, and I’m sharing it all with you here. So, grab a seat and join me as I share the story of flying in Taiwan, the legacy of TransAsia Airways, and what it’s really like behind the cockpit. Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for more aviation stories, insights, and experiences. "Flying in Taiwan", "TransAsia Airways", "Taiwan aviation history", "Taiwan airlines", "ATR aircraft", "airline safety culture", "aviation accidents", "Taiwan flying experience", "ICAO license Taiwan", "TransAsia Airways crashes", "Taipei Songshan Airport", "Typhoons in Taiwan", "Taiwan pilot experience", "TransAsia Airways history", "flying in East Asia", "Taiwan aviation safety", "ATR 72-500 Taiwan"