In fact, looking back on his training days, Zhang admitted that there was a time when he was somewhat impatient.

"At one point, I felt that I wasn't making much progress while those around me were making great strides. It was really frustrating," he said.

However, as a young man always striving to be the best, Zhang took the initiative to work on his weak points.

"I'd go and do research in a library or seek out solutions from others," he recalled. "When I had a problem comprehending a concept, I was always determined not just to get the gist of it but to understand it completely."

Now having mastered advanced technical skills and being rated as someone with impressive mental sharpness, Zhang has become a flight instructor to cultivate the next generation of pilots at a training base of the People's Liberation Army Naval Aviation University in northeast China.

In Zhang's eyes, as a pilot and flight instructor, his mission is to provide the personnel with the best training. When facing these young cadets — some being born in 1996 or even later — Zhang always emphasizes the importance of having a reverence for flying, and he leads by example.

"I have to ensure my flying skills are impeccable. That's a must for me. How good you are as an instructor depends on your skills in the air," he said.

To maintain a passion for flying, teach pilots strong tactical skills, hone an indomitable fighting spirit, and possess the ability to overcome all potential threats — these are the focal points for Zhang in his work as an instructor.

"We are devoted to propelling the growth of China's naval aviation and the modernization of its national defense," he said. "And such a flying career is an invaluable asset in one's life."

Contact the writer at wangxingwei@i21st.cn