BY ARIB ALI ’27
The first time I went up in an airplane as a student pilot, I did not know exactly where flying would take me. What started as an interest eventually became something I wanted to seriously pursue in life. I began flight training while still in high school, and since then, flying has become a major part of my life. Now, with around 80 hours in the air, I am working toward earning my private pilot license and eventually becoming an airline pilot.
My interest in flying started with wanting to know what it was actually like to control an airplane instead of just being a passenger. That curiosity eventually led me to take an introductory flight. After that flight, I knew I wanted to learn more. I began training and started learning everything from basic aircraft control to communicating with air traffic control. The more I learned, the more interested I became in aviation.
As training continued, flying became both exciting and challenging. I worked on landings, stalls, slow flight, steep turns, navigation, and emergency procedures. One of my biggest milestones was eventually flying by myself. I also completed multiple solo cross-country flights, which gave me a different feeling of responsibility because there was no instructor sitting next to me. Each milestone made me realize how much I had learned since my first lesson and how much responsibility I hold when I will fly friends,family, and even strangers out. Their lives are in my hands, and I am training to be not only capable but also confident.
Flying has also taught me things that go beyond actually controlling an airplane. Flying requires concentration, preparation, patience, staying calm , sense of responsibility and the ability to make split second decisions. At times, flight training can be mentally exhausting, especially while balancing it with school and everything else going on. But that challenge is also part of why I enjoy it. Every flight gives me a chance to learn something new and brings me closer to my long-term goal of becoming a pilot.
I believe everyone should find their own way to fly, whether that means literally getting into an airplane or pursuing something they once thought was impossible. For some people, that could mean trying a new sport, learning a skill, or working toward a future career or dream. Taking that first step can be intimidating, especially when the goal seems far away, but willing to try and continuing even when things get difficult is what makes the difference. My experience with flying has shown me that a goal that once seemed out of reach can become more realistic with time, effort, and dedication.
I still have a long way to go before I reach the airlines. Right now, I am focused on completing my written exam and checkride, and earning my private pilot license. Looking back, I never expected that an interest in airplanes would turn into something I would spend so much time working toward. Flying has gone from something I was curious about to something I see myself doing for the rest of my life.
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