About Magenta.

Who we are, and how we can work together on training, safety, regulation, aircraft, and the recreational pilot journey.

The Mission

Magenta is the independent authority on recreational aviation in the Asia-Pacific.

We help aspiring and current pilots make safer, smarter decisions about training, aircraft, and flying.

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The path to a pilot's license in this region is fragmented, confusing, and often buried in legalese. We exist to decode it. We are not a flight school. We are not an aircraft dealer. We are an independent publication that works for you, the pilot.

We publish a curated briefing every fortnight. We respect your inbox and your time.

  • Path guides: Step-by-step roadmaps for obtaining licenses in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia.
  • Regulatory briefs: Plain-English alerts when rules change — because missing a NOTAM shouldn't cost you your license.
  • Safety deep dives: Analysis of real incidents without the judgment, focused on decision-making and airmanship.
  • Independent reviews: Honest assessments of regional flight schools and training aircraft.

Join other pilots, students, and instructors who read Magenta to stay current.

Who is behind this?

Alan Soon is the founder and editor of Magenta.

He is a certified recreational pilot with Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) and holds a CAAS-approved Unmanned Aircraft Basic Training (UABT) certification in Singapore.

This dual perspective — straddling both manned and unmanned aviation — shapes Alan’s approach to airmanship. He understands that modern aviation is not just about stick-and-rudder skills, but about navigating complex regulatory environments with discipline and responsibility.

The Background

Alan built Magenta to be the resource he wished he had at the start of his own journey: a trusted, independent guide to the fragmented aviation landscape of Asia-Pacific.

He also founded Dronefly.sg, a training and education initiative built at the intersection of aviation and public service. He created the platform to demystify Singapore’s drone regulations and establish a culture of safe, responsible flying.

Media Leadership

Beyond the cockpit, Alan has spent over two decades building and leading world-class newsrooms.

As the co-founder of Splice Media, he has spent the last decade coaching media founders across Asia, working with partners including Google, Meta, CNN, and the International Center for Journalists.

Previously, Alan ran Asia’s largest digital news operation as Managing Editor for Yahoo (India and Southeast Asia) and held senior editorial roles at CNBC, Bloomberg, Kyodo News, and Channel NewsAsia.

He combines this editorial rigor with professional training as a coach, helping people navigate change with clarity and a stronger sense of purpose.

Connect with Alan on LinkedIn, or email him at alan@magentadebrief.com.