My Aviation Journey: The Struggles and The Challenges

Surely, the journey has been a long one. After my senior secondary school education, I wanted to go to the university to study Peace and Conflict, but I was late for admission. My mother was a petty trader, so she could barely save enough to facilitate my education. It was a tough start. My mother’s friend suggested I pursue a career in aviation because she noticed I had passion for aviation. In my country, AVIATION and its operations are not something many consider as a career or something someone should be proud of. The drama that followed saw me in the aviation industry.

After the completion of my aviation studies, I applied to several companies to get an aviation job, but did not succeed. A friend helped me get a job as a casual staff at Freetown International Airport, but the condition attached was on a pro bono basis (no salary). Because of my love for aviation, I accepted the offer. After two months without a salary, the other lady dropped, but I continued to work with enthusiasm. I remember dressing smarter as if I was the best paid staff in the office.

It was in this struggle of finding an airline job that I met with Sierra Leone’s most popular journalist who works for the BBC. He gave me tips that I used to obtain other aviation certificates. After that, I got a job with Gambia Bird as a Turnaround Coordinator. But soon after, Ebola struck and Gambia Bird folded. I had to do a voluntary job as a Turnaround Coordinator for some special flights during the Ebola pandemic. After Ebola, I worked as Operations Officer for Fly Salone. It was during this time that I developed the passion to be a Flight Dispatcher.

My Journey to USA

In 2015, I applied and got 5 admission acceptances, but I could not sort matters of tuitions at the time. Too many calls were placed. Letters of sponsorship were drafted, but the efforts proved futile. In 2019, I applied at the Institute of Flight Operation and Dispatch in the United States of America and was offered admission. The process was transparent and took about a month. But there was a big problem.

My savings were not enough for the study, so mother and I plus a few friends struggled to raise the money. We really struggled. My uncles and other family members disappeared as if they never existed. But we never gave up. One of my aunties offered me accommodation, food, transportation and other basic things. She was there at the right time.

I spent a total of 8 weeks to do the training in Texas, United States. Classes were held from Monday to Friday. I used Saturdays and Sundays to read and do some practicals. We had 5 instructors and they were very helpful especially to me that came from a country where dispatching school is nowhere to be found. The program was hectic, intensive and friendly. My classmates were indeed helpful.

My experience studying in the United States was awesome. It built my confidence. And now, as one of only two Sierra Leonean licensed Flight Dispatchers who studied in the United States, it has added more values to me. The study also gave me an international platform which has given me an enviable status. Most people are coming to me for mentorship of which I genuinely give.

The program has also helped me to be even more professional and modest. Life has not been the same again. I am currently a PASSENGER SERVICE EXECUTIVE and Turnaround Coordinator for Air Peace. It is fitting to state that, as we keep pushing, the best is yet to come!

My Parting Words

Chances are that things would be strange, but follow the process and learn. Everything is possible. Self-belief is vital. An absolute failure of most aspiring aviators nowadays is that they're still mentally married to the idea that nothing can get moving without external finances. Keep your head cool and work hard.

Be happy and passionate, stay disciplined and be patient. These attributes will give you better opportunities and could open rooms for more connections. Where I come from, many believe that studying in the United States of America means you're from a political side or from a very rich family. But today, I have changed that idea because I am a living proof that YOU CAN DO IT.