25-Year-Old from Kashmir becomes India’s youngest female Pilot

Ayesha Aziz from Kashmir becomes India's youngest woman pilot

Ayesha Aziz, a 25-year-old from Kashmir is the youngest female pilot in the country. In the year 2011, Ayesha Aziz became the youngest student pilot to get a license at the age of 15 and underwent training to fly a MIG-29 jet at Russia’s Sokol airbase the following year. She later graduated in aviation from the Bombay Flying Club (BFC) and obtained a commercial license in 2017.

While speaking to ANI, Aziz said that she believed that Kashmiri women had progressed immensely in the last few years and have done exceptionally well in the field of education. “I think Kashmiri women are doing very well, especially in education. Every other woman in Kashmir is doing her Masters or her doctorate. People of the Valley are doing great,” she said. Despite the odd timings required by the job and a dynamic work environment, the 25-year-old said that she was happy to take on the challenge. She also expressed gratitude towards her parents, who have supported her and enabled her to achieve her dreams. “I am very lucky that I have parents who have supported me in everything. Without them, I would not have been able to get to where I am today. I am constantly looking for growth, on a professional and personal level. My father is my greatest role model,” she said.