Udupi: While many of her friends pursued conventional careers in engineering and medicine, 20-year-old Shiney Asma Saldanha followed her childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Shiney, a resident of Karkala, has completed her commercial pilot training at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA). She is the daughter of Ashok Jacob Saldanha and Maria Gretta Saldanha.Although it has yet to be confirmed, online reports claim that she is the first woman from the Udupi district to obtain this qualification.Shiney completed her schooling and pre-university education at Christ King Educational Institution in Karkala and enrolled for pilot training soon after completing her pre-university course. “I was never interested in becoming a doctor or an engineer. Flying was different, and I felt this field suited me,” she told TOI.Shiney began her training in 2023. The programme included ground training and 200 hours of flying. She trained on the single-engine Diamond DA40 and the twin-engine Diamond DA42 aircraft.Shiney said she enjoyed every aspect of flying. “It depends on a person’s interests and what they want to become. Flying requires one to be practical and attentive. I find it interesting and genuinely enjoy it,” she said.Although the Boeing 777 fascinated her during childhood, Shiney said she is now open to flying any aircraft and intends to make the most of the opportunities that come her way. Her immediate goal is to join a commercial airline. “I will apply to airlines and take up the opportunity that comes my way,” she said.“I worked for this for years, so I am very happy. The number of messages on social media has been overwhelming,” she said.Shiney’s father, Ashok, told TOI that he was very happy about the achievement and that she had this dream since fifth grade, he said that she completed her 200 hours of flying around two days back and is undergoing the documentation process at the institute.
