Meet India’s Youngest Women Pilot

 

Ayesha Aziz...

She is from Kashmir, the place torn by terrorism and dominated by separatists. But she wanted to pursue a career that’s dominated by males. Ayesha wanted to be a pilot! She always loved the take offs and landings of plane which could scare the common man.

Support...

When Ayesha revealed her dream to her father, he didn’t shout at her. This Mumbai based industrialist has instead joined her at the Bombay Flying Club. Ayesha took her ground classes and received her student pilot licence in 2011. She was just 16 years old at that time and became the youngest pilot in India.

 

NASA...

Ayesha was 17 years when she was selected for a space training program in NASA. During her two-month stay in Alabama, Ayesha completed advanced training for being an astronaut. She was even lucky to meet her inspiration Sunita Williams at NASA.

Commercial Pilot...

Ayesha is now pursuing her B.Sc in Aviation at Bombay Flying Club. She has to complete yet another 80 hours of flight to get the commercial licence in aviation. Ayesha would then become a part of the elite group of women pilots in India at just 20 years of age. “More than being India’s youngest pilot, I am happy for having accomplished my childhood goal,” says Ayesha.

 

Her message...

Ayesha may be a Muslim girl. But there wasn’t any conflict between religion and personality. Besides being a pilot, Ayesha has done a photo shoot for a magazine. She has even served as a model for an advertisement. “You should hold your head high and not let others put you down,” was the message that has been driving her ahead.

- Nirjara