For many, studying abroad is a chance to explore new cultures and gain valuable life experiences. For Alexis, her time at Itchen College in autumn 2023 sparked an even greater passion—one that would take her to the skies.
Currently, Alexis is training to fly a Diamond DA40, a sleek, single-engine four-seater aircraft. With her eyes set on a future in commercial aviation, she is preparing to obtain her full pilot’s license within the next couple of months. Her ultimate dream? To captain a jet for United Airlines.
“By the time I graduate University I should have my bachelors and I should have all my ratings,” Alexis says, referring to the various training pilots must undergo to qualify to fly jumbo jets.
The road to becoming an airline pilot in the U.S. is no small feat. It requires approximately 1,500 flight hours, and many aspiring pilots achieve this milestone by working as Certified Flight Instructors (CFI). Alexis plans to follow this path, gaining both experience and flight hours as she works toward her goal.
Her dedication to aviation is evident in her daily routine. Balancing high school and flight training, she attends classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., then heads straight to flight lessons three times a week. These sessions include both ground instruction and actual flight time, ensuring she builds the skills necessary for a career in aviation. Despite the demands, Alexis finds the balance manageable with commitment and perseverance.
One of her most memorable experiences so far was a solo flight from Sacramento to Chico, California—a journey of over 150 miles.
“So, I’m in California, and it is incredibly hot here. And when it’s incredibly hot, it’s super hard for the plane’s engines to start,” Alexis recalls. “So, the day my first solo my instructor’s like ‘right okay, we’re ready for you. Go solo like just you do on your laps of the airport’.”
Such flights are crucial milestones in a pilot’s training, providing invaluable real-world experience in navigation and flight management.
This May, Alexis will graduate from high school and take the next major step in her aviation journey. She has been accepted into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, one of the world’s top aviation schools, where she will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science. This program will provide her with the necessary flight ratings and further solidify her expertise in aviation.
Before diving fully into her studies, Alexis plans to make the most of her summer. She is eager to visit her host family and friends in Southampton, as well as explore Eastern Europe—a testament to her love for travel, which was ignited during her time abroad.
“And you’ll drop by Itchen to say hi to us in the office, right” I ask Alexis.
“Yeah of course,” she replies.
With her unwavering dedication and passion for flying, Alexis is well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
