Gujarat: Girl Gives Wing To Her Dreams, Obtains Flying License At 16

Baroda Girl Gets Flying License

Varija Shah from Baroda, Gujarat has achieved new heights by getting a license to fly at the age of 16. She flew Cessna aircraft and hovered over the city for 20 minutes. She is probably the youngest person in Gujarat to have a student pilot licence and fly a plane. Though she is yet to get a learning licence to drive a two wheeler.

Since class 7, Varija had an interest in flying planes. She flew Cessna 152 for the first time with the help of an instructor and said that it was the best birthday gift as she turned 16 on Monday, as reported by The Times of India.
“I joined Gujarat Flying Club last year as I was very much fascinated with flying. My dad dreamt of being a pilot. My parents were supportive of my decision. The course was for one year which included ground training, theory classes and flying the plane on the simulator I will get a private pilot licence after joining National Cadet Corps and then join the IAF.” says Varija, as reported by The Times of India.

Varija is a class 11 student. She studies in Navrachana School Sama, Baroda and aims to become an Indian Air Force (IAF) Pilot. She is a state and national-level tennis champion. “Varija is a very bright student, and She will have to fly regularly to get expertise in flying planes,” says Charlie Weir, the Chief flight instructor at Gujarat Flying Club.
Varija’s dad wanted to be a pilot, and her mother wanted to be the tennis player. Her parents are very proud of her and believe that she will fulfil her dreams.