Embracing The Turbulence: My Journey In Aviation

My journey as a pilot from the heart of Ecuador to the United States has been a transformative odyssey driven by my lifelong dream to succeed in aviation. 

I began pursuing my private pilot license in Ecuador when I was 19. 

The pilot training course consisted of basic flying and solo flight, instrument rating and multi-engine flying skills.

I had to complete extra courses for every airplane I flew. I also had to attain a Class 1 medical certificate—a non-negotiable requirement for aspiring pilots. 

Each stage was punctuated by flight tests that required rigorous preparation and focus, but I became a pilot when I was 22 years old.

Employment opportunities were scarce in Ecuador, with more than 3,000 pilots vying to fill 300 job vacancies. 

Finding a job was difficult because it relied heavily on connections, and when I did, I encountered machismo from coworkers who did not want to fly with me to avoid issues with their wives, and from passengers who did not want to fly with me because I was a young woman.

Then the corporate airplane I worked for, Banco de Machala, was sold due to issues in the economy, and I became unemployed.

Leaving my heart behind in my city, Cuenca, I set my sights on the endless skies of opportunity that awaited in Miami.

Last spring, I enrolled at Miami Dade College to pursue an associate’s degree in professional pilot technology. 

As I do my college coursework, moments of self-doubt appear occasionally.

Aviation exams, notorious for their rigorous nature, also test my spirit. I’ve confronted this challenge by crafting structured study schedules and seeking guidance from professors. 

A sense of isolation also comes with my studies, but communing with friends who understand my challenges has become my lifeline, offering moments of respite. 

However, the most painful challenge has been the heartbreaking experience of my parents’ divorce. 

This shift in my family dynamic could have taken my dreams away, but I decided to occupy my mind with airplanes, the gym, homework and work because success in aviation requires unwavering focus. 

I envision a future where I become a pillar of support for my parents.

Making my loved ones proud and being an example for women with similar aspirations is the light that guides me through the darkest moments of doubt and uncertainty. 

“A todo pavo le llega su navidad” (every turkey gets his Christmas) is a common phrase Ecuadorian pilots use that means someday, somehow, it’s going to be your turn. 

Overcoming obstacles is an intrinsic part of growth.  

However, as I work to obtain a professional degree in aviation in America, every obstacle strengthens my decision.  

The journey has never been about the destination alone, but about embracing the challenges and savoring the victories.