A fierce determination and perseverance will get an individual through any turbulence.
Just ask Vanisthaa Shanmuga Nathan, who had always dreamt of becoming a pilot. After overcoming a few glitches, the 23-year-old is well on her way to realising her aviation dreams.
When she was 19, her pilot boyfriend Kuhan Balakrishnan introduced her to the world of aircraft. Vanisthaa was immediately captivated with talk of breathtaking cockpit views, the dynamic challenges of flying and the idea of becoming a pilot herself.
However, she had already completed her Foundation in Business programme and enrolled for her degree programme at the time. Unwilling to disappoint her parents who had invested in her education, Vanisthaa decided to put her flying dreams on hold until she had completed her degree. This meant delaying her dream to enrol herself into flying school for three years.
The Ipoh-born, who moved to Sabah when she was two months old and lived there during her formative years, is a daughter of two teachers. Born and raised in a traditional Asian family who had particular expectations about their children, she kept her piloting dreams to herself for fear that her parents may not be supportive.
The best compromise was for Vanisthaa to enrol in a flying school while completing her degree. So she registered with the Sabah Flying Club during the second year of her degree. There, she had her first flying lesson, and found it enthralling.
Vanisthaa taking the wheel in the cockpit.
Little did she know, though, that flying school would present its own set of challenges. "There are different types of weather to go through, different flying regulations I need to be aware of, and different navigational routes to learn as we cross borders, with every flight," said Vanisthaa.
"As a student pilot, I also had to become accustomed to the odd sleeping patterns that pilots experience. Pilots travel through different time zones and are more prone to jet lag. Ensuring we have sufficient rest, however, is crucial to flying, hence juggling between the night schedules and my daily routine was a challenge," added Vanisthaa.
An alumna of Inti College Sabah, Vanisthaa also experienced other challenges while pursuing her flying dream.
Vanisthaa, future female pilot, posing next to a Piper Warrior airplane during her training in flying school.
Vanisthaa's challenges were worth it when, in the end, she was accepted into AirAsia's Cadet Pilot programme, which started in May.
When it comes to obstacles, Vanisthaa said: "These included maintaining my self-confidence throughout the programme. It is easy to feel insecure as an aspiring female pilot in a male-dominated industry, so I reminded myself that I am capable.
"The other challenge was breaking the news to my parents and financing my aviation dream. I was hesitant, not knowing how my parents would react but I really wanted to convey my passion to them. When I told them, they responded positively and even offered financial support for flying school.
Vanisthaa is now busier than ever, undergoing training in the Malaysian Flying Academy, Melaka. When asked about her experiences in flying school, she said that she feels like she's in the military!
When it comes to role models, Vanisthaa names her parents and, not surprisingly, Amelia Earhart. "Being the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, she inspired me to continue doing what I do.
Bravo my dear Vanisthaa… You are indeed an inspiration to the youths!!! Kudos to you!!!
congrats on your achievent.keep on going.
Good for you… You have thought out of the Tamillian community box.Wish you all the best.
Congratulations to you. Keep up a good job. You have made us proud. Take care…stay safe.