Ruth becomes the first Khasi woman to get Private Pilot License
FROM OUR REPORTER
SHILLONG, May 25: The official representative of Sunrise Aviation for recruitment of potential students, Sanboklang Thangkhiew has expressed delight after Ruth Kharkongor who was under his guidance was able to achieve success in her aspirations to become a private pilot license holder.
Ruth, a resident of Laban, became the first ever Khasi woman to be awarded a Private Pilot License on May 14 from Sunrise Flying Academy, Florida, USA.
Sanboklang, a resident of Lum Mawbah, Upper Shillong, was the first ever Khasi pilot after receiving his private pilot license in 2007 from Delta Connection Academy, Florida.
He later completed his Instrument Rating and CPL from Cloud Dancer Academy.
Speaking to newsmen, Sanboklang said, “I am thrilled that she was able to achieve her dream and become the first ever Khasi lady pilot. It brings me great joy to see that someone from our state has been able to achieve success in the aviation field and hope that this will also serve as an encouragement other youths having similar dreams.”
He said that after Ruth had requested him to guide her, he decided to help her.
Informing that a Khasi lad from Nongstoin, Monday Bornson Lyngkhoi is one of the brightest students he has guided, he said, “This young lad completed his commercial pilot license in less than a year which astonished the American instructors who even gave him a nickme ‘Bullet Pilot’.
He observed that there are many potential students from the state who can achieve and excel in pilot training, but are uble to follow their dreams due to lack of fincial assistance.
“Some parents are reluctant to send their children to study aviation because they have a wrong perception about safety and the risks of the aviation sector, however this perception is incorrect,” he said.
He said that any aspiring students who desire to take up aviation can always approach him for help.
Sanboklang has come a long way after receiving his private pilot license in 2007 as he is now a co-founder of Flight Training Express an aviation academy in Florida.
Recalling his path after achieving success in 2007, he said, “After receiving my license, I later invested in a company and co-founded the Flight Training Express in 2009. I came back to India since I wanted to open an aviation academy in Meghalaya to help the youths of the state aspiring to become pilots. However, I did not get any fincial assistance from the state government.”
He further informed that he had met the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this regard and the authorities at Umroi airport, who according to him, had tried everything to help but due to lack of funds he was uble to set up the academy.
