Philip Yang

Philip Yang, chairman of Taiwan-based corporate jet operator and aircraft charter company Executive Aviation Taiwan Corp., (EATC), has unexpectedly passed away in Avalon, California, on Tuesday June 18, 2019, at the age of 60.

He was born on Saturday November 1, 1958 to the late Charlie Yang and Kunmei Liao, in Taipei, Taiwan. He was one of four children, with brothers Frank and Steven, and sister Julia. He graduated from Jian Guo High School. In lieu of a university degree, he proudly served in the Taiwan military for two years.

Through mutual friends, Philip and Gloria Chen met. They immigrated to California and married on Saturday June 30, 1984 in Long Beach, California. Together they had a son and two daughters, Anthony, Beverly, and Candice.

Philip started his career in California then expanded his business to Shen Zhen, China. He ended up settling in Hong Kong. Over time, he became a successful original equipment manufacturer of electronic devices, creating employment opportunities to thousands.

At the age of 40, he started to pursue his lifelong passion in aviation. Within four years he received several different aviation certificates ranging from the most popular flight license, to the more advanced Civil Aviation Transportation license and General Commercial Flight license.

One of his dreams was to fly around the world before the age of 50, which he accomplished on two separate occasions. He discovered Taiwan's complex private flight restrictions and obstacles that lacked clear rules. Philip pursued this challenge and continued to look for opportunities. As soon as the Taiwan Civil Aviation Authority announced it would allow Chinese people to own private jets, he was ready to act upon this business opportunity. Finally, upon Taiwan Civil Aviation Authority announced it would allow Chinese people to own private jets, he felt time to act upon a business opportunity.

In 2010, after a long journey of planning, EATC was established as the only aviation company in Asia that offers air ambulance emergency medical assistance. He since has expanded the business to offer private chartering, aircraft management, and a pilot training facility. By 2012, EATC had become the largest private aircraft operator in Taiwan. It was his most serious business endeavor. Philip was a self-made man and embraced an open-minded attitude towards life.

Philip lived a nomadic lifestyle, spending time between his residences in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and California. He never swore and had a tough-love character, but he was a mentor to countless throughout his lifetime. He had many hobbies, such as the playing classical spanish guitar, golfing, horseback riding, surfing, road biking, and enjoying a nice Cuban cigar. While a man of few words, he cared deeply for his family. He would always remember to send big flowers on Gloria’s birthday. He would always make sure his children were provided for. He often would fly to northern California to visit his two grandsons, Alaster and Gavin, no matter how busy his schedule was. His favorite past time is flying over Catalina Island in his helicopter.

Although Philip’s sudden departure has left his family, friends, and colleagues in grief and nostalgia, his legacy will undoubtedly be with us forever. He will be dearly missed.

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以台灣為基地的飛特立航空股份有限公司之董事長，楊宿智先生於2019年6月18日在美國加尼福尼亞州的阿瓦隆意外離世，享年60歲。

Philip Yang, 楊宿智先生於 1958 年11月1日的星期六在台灣台北出生，父親為 Charlie Yang (楊子爵)，母親為 Kunmei Liao (楊廖坤媚)。四名兄弟姊妹之中，尚有兩位兄弟Frank (廖重逢)和 Steven (楊宿禧)，一個姐姐 Julia (楊明珠)。他於建國中學畢業後選擇暫緩進入大學，先行進入軍中完成兩年的兵役義務。

透過共同友人的介紹，Philip 認識了後來的妻子 Gloria Chen。兩人共同移居美國加州，並在1984年6月30日的星期六在加州長灘結婚。其後育有一子兩女，楊恭任, 楊巧蓉, 和楊巧荻。
Philip 在加州開拓他的事業，在90年代將生意擴展至中國深圳，並定居於香港。時光推移，他成功地打造了一個電子設備工廠園區，創造上千個工作機會。

在40歲時，他開始追求自己一生熱愛的飛行夢。在短短四年內，就取得了數種不同航空執照，從最常見的飛行員執照，到民用航空運輸執照以及普通商務航空執照等等。

他也完成了自己的其中一個夢想: 在50歲前以飛行環遊世界。在完成這個夢想的途中，他發現了台灣私人航空的複雜與限制，以及因為尚不明確的規範造成的各種障礙。然而 Philip 持續尋找機會。終於，在台灣民航局宣布國人可以擁有私人飛機時，他找到一個適合的時機，為這個產業貢獻一己之力。

2010 年，在歷經了縝密的規劃後，飛特立航空成立，成為當時全亞洲唯一提供緊急醫療救援服務的航空公司。歷年來，他持續擴張事業版圖至私人包機服務、飛機託管以及飛行員培訓。到了 2012 年，飛特立航空已經成為台灣最大的私人飛機公司，並且為Philip付出最多心血的事業。Philip 是一個白手起家的創業家，他總是以開放的心胸、平易近人的態度接納各種不同的意見。

因為家庭與事業上的需求，Philip 選擇半遊牧的生活方式，在台灣、香港、中國與加州各地的住所輪流居住。經商多年，管理上千員工的他即使愛之深責之切，也從不對人謾罵，在一生中成為無數人的人生導師。他擁有許多愛好，例如古典吉他、高爾夫球、騎馬、衝浪、公路車以及享受一支美好的古巴雪茄。即使年過半百，仍然日日為公司盡心盡力的 Philip，雖然不常開口表達，但是一樣深深地關心著家庭。永遠都會找出時間陪伴母親一起用餐，不論身在何處，他都記得在妻子Gloria 生日當天送她一大束鮮花。確保孩子們有足夠的資源，走出自己的人生道路。即使日理萬機，忙得不可開交，他都還是會抽空飛行到北加州看望兩個小外孫，Alaster 和 Gavin。而他最喜歡的消遣，就是駕著自己的直升機飛越卡塔莉娜島。

雖然 Philip 的突然離開，讓家人、朋友、同事及員工們留下深深的悲傷和思念，他傳奇般的人生仍然會毫無疑問地留在大家的心中。我們將會永遠懷念Philip。