“My Bond With Dad Is My Reason For Flying”- Lady Shares How Her Dad Inspired Her To Become A Pilot

“My bond with Dad is my reason for flying. He was an engineer & he’d fly around the country for work. Knowing I’d miss him while he was away, he’d tell me, ‘I’ll ask the pilot to fly over our house so we can wave at each other.’

And innocently, I’d wave at every plane that flew by!
And it was on one of those days when I thought, ‘How about I fly a plane & travel Dad around?’

I wanted to be a pilot. Dad encouraged me, ‘I can’t wait to see you in the uniform!’
Society would remark, ‘Monicaa is lean & thin. She won’t have the strength to be a pilot.’ And with Dad by my side, I’d reply, ‘I won’t be training to push the plane.

I’ll be flying it.’ Dad wanted me to focus & used his savings to pay for my training abroad. I wanted to repay him for his faith in me.
And that day came when I got a job as a commercial pilot; I was 21 & Dad hugged me, ‘Work your hardest & the results will follow.’ And that’s what I did.

I even fulfilled my childhood imagining of flying Dad. I had no clue he was on the flight & after I landed the plane, he congratulated me, ‘I didn’t want you to nervously fly the plane if you knew I’d be onboard.’ That moment was my happiest.
Before Dad passed 2 years ago, he’d seen me make my mark.

And this year on Father’s Day, he would have been especially proud of me during a challenging flight from Patna to Delhi.

During lift off, I saw a bird fly into the engine; the plane vibrated heavily & ‘thud’ noises were heard. The passengers could see flames.
185 lives were in my hands.

We were flying with a malfunctioned engine & I had to assess the situation carefully; I knew one error from my side would be detrimental. I kept a calm head & after 28 minutes of flying, I safely landed the plane back to Patna.

And as we landed, I was cheered for by my passengers. I was overwhelmed with the blessings I received. And although I’d only done my job, I felt like a hero. I was touched when a passenger’s son messaged me, ‘My Dad was on the flight & he’s alive because of you.’

My Dad was in my heart that day; I believe his spirit got me through the flight. I am who I am today because of Dad, for it was his support that gave me wings to soar & achieve my dreams!”

Written by Shannon Court

Source: Humans of Bombay | LinkedIn

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com