 He became a pilot after completing the academy and flight school by 1987, initially becoming a pilot in the same airfield his father served at Malang.After several years of operating CASA light airlift planes, he was promoted to squadron training officer in 1993, and began operating heavier planes by 1996.He was squadron commander by 1997, moving to Adisumarmo Airport in Surakarta and later to Adisucipto as he continued going up the ranks.