A window seat often delights travellers, but for Samaira Hullur from Vijayapura, Karnataka, the view from the cockpit is where she found her calling. Fascinated by aviation since childhood, Samaira became India’s youngest commercial pilot at 18 — a journey powered by her mother’s unwavering belief and early inspiration.
Her adventurous streak — from horse riding to rock climbing — paired with her mother’s admiration for pilot uniforms, sparked an ambition. Encouraged in Class 9 to pursue aviation, Samaira took her first steps with orientation sessions and career counselling, setting her sights on the skies.
After Class 12, she enrolled at Vinod Yadav Aviation Academy in Delhi, completing ground training in seven months. Despite age restrictions delaying her radio telephony exam, she excelled, clearing five aviation theory papers in her first try.
Flight training began in Baramati, Pune, at Carver Aviation. Clocking 200 flying hours, Samaira achieved her first solo flight in just 28 hours — well ahead of the norm. That moment, she says, was both light and liberating.
Her success came at a cost — nearly ₹75 lakh, funded by family savings and a property loan. The absence of scholarships and educational loans highlights the financial hurdles aspiring pilots face. Yet, Samaira chose the independent path over expensive cadet programs.
Today, she stands at the threshold of her professional career, waiting for airline opportunities and open to type-rating training. With grit and support, she’s ready to navigate her next take-off.
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