Bengaluru, 5 DEC

At just 18 years, Samaira Hullur, a small-town girl from Vijayapura, has become the youngest in India to obtain Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

Obtaining a CPL, allows a pilot to fly aircraft for commercial purposes. It entails meeting several rigorous requirements: being at least 18 years old, holding a valid private pilot licence, accumulating a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, passing a series of written and practical exams and completing a flight test with a certified flight examiner.

A former student of Sishuniketan, Sainik School in Vijayapura, Samaira grew up admiring the disciplined life of defence personnel who frequented her school for functions. Her mother Naziya Hullur, a school teacher in Vijayapura, played a pivotal role in shaping Samaira’s aspirations. Naziya recalled an incident at an airport when a pilot with his crew members walked by, receiving admiration and respect from onlookers. Inspired by this, Naziya suggested an aviation career to her daughter.

Speaking to Salar News, Samaira said her parents wanted her to pursue a career beyond the typical 9-to-5 routine. They encouraged her to embrace a path that would allow her to travel, meet new people and broaden her horizons. Inspired by Tapesh Kumar, one of India’s youngest pilots at 25, Samaira often watched his YouTube vlogs. Samaira moved to Delhi to begin her aviation journey, undeterred by societal scepticism. “Log kya bolte hain, vo sochke (Of thinking what will people say) we should not stop ourselves. Success comes when you keep going despite failures,” she said.

She completed her ground school training at Vinod Yadav Aviation Academy in Delhi, clearing all CPL exams in six months. "The mentorship of Captain Tapesh Kumar and academy chief Vinod Yadav was invaluable," she said. Samaira then joined Carver Aviation Academy in Baramati, Maharashtra, for seven months of flight training, culminating in her certification.

About her next steps, Samaira’s father, Ameen Hullur, an interior designer, said: “She will now attend interviews for aviation opportunities," he said. —Salar News