Open Sky, Fly High!

Hello friends, Prabhav from Mumbai, India. I would like to take this opportunity here and say 'Thank You' for reading my story. I'm an aviation enthusiast, an ex-aviation professional. My passion took a sharp turn at the end of 2011 when I decided to quit my ground job at IndiGo, one of the low-cost carriers here to pursue my dream. I told my reporting manager that I would like to become a pilot and come back as a cockpit crew member and fly with IndiGo. So, I enrolled myself at one of the flying schools just to realize later something bad was about to come. I completed my 3 months ground theory classes and it was time for flying lessons. But, that never happened! The reason - the per hour flying rate increased from what was quoted when I was admitted into the course. We, as students, need to complete 200 hours of flying to earn the basic 'Commercial Pilot License.' This basic license costs a bomb money and even then I had no idea how was I going to finance. So, the fees hiked and I had no other choice to say goodbye to my dream then. But, having left that field totally since then, I had not lost interest in aviation as a field. I still am swooped by the beauty of airplanes. I stand still and watch whenever there is an aircraft either taking-off, flying over or land. I can do that all day.

Enter 2017, I'm in a different field working in an organization. One of my colleague from leadership team somehow managed to link the discussion to aviation and I happen to spill-out my unfulfilled dream. His only words were, 'don't kill your dreams just because of lack of money. That is secondary. You are young, take risk.' That was turning point in my life for second time. From that day on-wards, I began my journey towards the dream one more time and strongly continuing. This time I'm calling it as a secret project for the reason that neither my parents, nor my friends are aware of what's happening besides my job.

Good news is I managed to secure a place in one of Florida's flying school as a student for this. And currently, I'm working on all the paperwork and most importantly financing it; which is the most difficult yet crucial part. Its time for me to knock at banks' doors for the loan. The downside here is the security collateral, in terms of property, they are asking for the loan amount which is $54800 USD, i.e. INR 35Lakhs. Unfortunately, we don't own property of that value that could be mortgaged. And without that, it is impossible for me to pursue my dream....once again! Even if I manage to secure the loan, I have to start repaying the interest the moment my training starts. My mom and I are the earning members of my family which add to less than 630 USD per month. I believe in myself that I could clear all the training successfully.

What I don't have is the money to pursue my dream. What I have? the knowledge, the passion for my dream, the will to go forward. What I ask you all? should money be the reason not to follow your dreams? why this profession is limited only to rich and become more rich? I have contributed a very small amount to a fellow student pilot in US who had a similar story. She is now flying as a co-pilot with Morkulele Airlines. I know how hard it is to make one's dream a reality!!

Will you support me and my dream to become a reality? Are you willing to come with me in a journey to the skies?

A personalized merchandise will be shipped to each and everyone of the donors in exchange on successful meeting the target.