Student Spotlight: Hung Nguyen

For Hung Nguyen, aviation is about more than flying airplanes—it's about seeing the world. Growing up, Hung didn't have many opportunities to travel with his family, which sparked a desire to explore new places and cultures. Today, that passion for travel is one of the biggest reasons he's pursuing a career as a pilot.

Hung's dream is to fly internationally, with Japan, Switzerland, and France at the top of his list of destinations he hopes to visit from the flight deck someday.

Hung began flight training in June 2025 and has made impressive progress since then. He earned his Private Pilot Certificate in February and recently achieved another major milestone by earning his Instrument Rating. With each rating, he moves one step closer to his goal of becoming an airline pilot.

Outside of flight training, Hung is highly involved on campus. He is a member of the Flying Mavs Flight Team, serves as the Programming Coordinator for Durango's Outfitters, represents students as a CPACS Student Senator, and participates in the Honors Student Association.

One of Hung's favorite experiences at UNO Aviation was competing at NIFA SAFECON Nationals with the Flight Team. From early morning practices to competing alongside teammates, he enjoyed every part of the experience. Nationals also gave him the opportunity to meet and network with aviation students from schools across the country, making it one of the most memorable moments of his college career.

After graduating in 2028, Hung plans to work as a flight instructor while building flight hours before pursuing opportunities with a regional airline and ultimately achieving his goal of flying for the airlines.

His advice to fellow aviation students: "Don't slack off on flight training. You're already paying so much to fly planes, so you might as well take it seriously."

When he's not flying, studying, or attending meetings, Hung enjoys thrifting and searching for hidden treasures at garage sales.

We're proud to celebrate students like Hung who are pursuing their dreams, staying involved on campus, and preparing for a future that will take them around the world.