Alvin Chung

Chung’s fascination with aviation started as a child through his father’s work as a gate agent for a major airline. Chung’s fascination with flight grew as he traveled the world flying standby with his family. His father, a private pilot, would explain aerodynamics, winglets, and flaps to his son, pointing from the window seat.

At age 14, Chung joined the Civil Air Patrol and gained early flight experience, which helped him achieve his first solo flight at age 16 in 2016. Chung’s experience with the Civil Air Patrol and Salt Lake City International Airport led to advocating for a United Service Organization (USO) lounge there, which was established in February 2022.

A few months prior, Chung had earned his flight instructor certificate. He teaches private students and students at the Utah Civil Air Patrol. Chung has a student pass rate of more than 90 percent and is a Gold Seal flight instructor. Chung’s teaching philosophy is about investing time to know his students inside and out the airplane. He believes sharing the love for aviation is what teaching is all about. “Teaching isn’t about getting me hours to my next job,” he said. “It’s about showing others that you care about their experience, and they do better because of it.”

Chung also works in hospitality and tourism development in the Moab, Utah area while continuing to build his aviation skills. He has assisted a Part 135 tourism company expand and is helping to set up partnerships with other tourism projects.