Highlights
- Sweta Rathod started flying lessons in 2018 at Horsham Aerodrome in Victoria.
- She practised for almost 150 hours while fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother of two kids before passing the pilot test.
- Sweta can now fly a two-seater aircraft and is eyeing a permit for a four-seater plane.
Having completed 18 months of training, the Gujarati Australian can now fly a two-seater aircraft within a 25-kilometre radius of Horsham Aerodrome.
Sweta spoke to SBS Gujarati about her experience training to acquire a pilot's license.
"I never imagined that I would fly an aircraft. One day, my husband met Barry [Laws], the president of Horsham Aerodrome, who asked me if I was interested in flying an aircraft."
I grabbed the opportunity, and now I can fly high over the Australian sky.
Country town provides opportunities
Sweta and her husband came to Australia in 2011 from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, a state on India's western coast. She holds a degree in teaching.
The couple landed in Adelaide first and then moved to Horsham in Victoria for a business opportunity in 2012.
“Country towns provide you with various opportunities to hone your skills."
Sweta with an instructor in the aircraft. Source: Supplied by Sweta Rathod
"After detailed research, I learned that there is no pre-requisite condition to enrol in the program. Hence, I decided to give it a try and started flying lessons in 2018,” Sweta said.
"Initially, it was hard, but continued practice made me realise that I can fly an aircraft and it was adventurous."
'Getting a license depends on skills and dedication'
Before taking her examination, Sweta practiced for almost 150 hours while fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother of two kids.
“Getting a license depends on skills and dedication," she said.
"I had to manage my practice around my kids' school and kindergarten schedule. Often I had to cancel classes as no one was there at home to look after them."
Moreover, the weather also played its part. She had to postpone her training in windy weather.
Finally, after one and a half years of supervised training, she passed her examination in 2019.
It is a restricted pilot license that allows me to fly a two-seater aircraft within a 25-kilometre radius.
Sweta practised for almost 150 hours before appearing in the license test. Source: Supplied by Sweta Rathod
'The most amazing experience'
Sweta said flying is an adventurous experience that requires mental strength.
"Strength and stamina with good eyesight are vital. Some people may experience acrophobia, but you cannot afford to give in to your fears and lose your concentration when you fly,” she said.
"Even though I got scared and tired when I started taking lessons, I persisted."
"It's the most amazing experience trying to fly by yourself. I had never experienced anything like that in my life before."
Remembering some memorable moments Sweta said, "During one of my flying lessons, Victoria had a dust storm and I was flying above the storm which is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Another exciting experience was watching the rainfall on the ground while flying above the clouds."
Be prepared
During her flying examination when her instructor suddenly turned the engine off, Sweta says “I got scared at that moment, but we learn how to stay calm and land the plane. The training teaches us how to tackle the situation if it happens while flying.”
"We look for the safe areas in open fields to land which is a very important part of the training."
Sweta also explained that, just like cars on the road, aircraft face traffic jams in the sky.
A view from Sweta's aircraft. Source: Supplied by Sweta Rathod
“We need to obey standard traffic rules. We can be in touch with other pilots through radio and decide landing numbers. But we need to give priority to medical or emergency aircraft first."
What's next?
“A pilot needs to renew their license every year. If you haven't flown within a year of securing permission to fly, you need to take lessons and pass the test again,” Sweta said.
Sweta's license to fly a two-seater plane allows her to take another person up with her.
"However, as soon as I got my license, the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia and lockdown restrictions didn't allow me to fly," she said.
But now I am looking forward to taking my family members with me.
She is now eyeing a permit to fly a four-seater plane.
