Michaella Vandetta is a pioneer in the aviation industry, having become the first female pilot in the country. She holds a Private Pilot License (PPL) for multiple engines and is currently in the process of obtaining her Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Vandetta had a passion for aviation from a young age. She often watched planes fly overhead and dreamed of one day flying them herself. However, at the time, there were no female pilots in Sierra Leone, making it seem like an impossible dream.
Vandetta who is the daughter of president Bio the current president in Sierra Leone was determined to pursue her dream. She worked hard to obtain her PPL, which she achieved in 2019. This was a significant accomplishment, not only because she became Sierra Leone’s first female pilot, but also because it was a challenging and rigorous process.
A PPL is a license that allows a pilot to fly small aircraft for non-commercial purposes. It requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including a certain number of hours of solo flight, and passing a series of written and practical exams. Vandetta’s PPL for multiple engines means that she is qualified to fly aircraft with more than one engine.
Now, Vandetta is working towards obtaining her CPL, which will allow her to fly larger aircraft for commercial purposes. This license requires additional flight time, more advanced training, and passing more rigorous exams. Once she obtains her CPL, Vandetta will be able to pursue a career as a commercial pilot and open up new opportunities for herself and other women in Sierra Leone who aspire to become pilots.
Vandetta’s achievement has not gone unnoticed, and she has received recognition across the country. Numerous of blogs have posted her achievement online thus giving a mindset of pursuit to other women.
Vandetta’s accomplishment is not only significant for Sierra Leone but also for women in the aviation industry worldwide. The aviation industry has traditionally been male-dominated, and women pilots are still a minority. Vandetta’s achievement shows that women can excel in this field, and her story can inspire other women to pursue their dreams, regardless of the barriers they may face.
Finally, Michaella Vandetta is a trailblazer who has broken barriers and shattered stereotypes in Africa’s aviation industry. Her passion, determination, and hard work have made her the country’s first female pilot, and her pursuit of a CPL will open up even more opportunities for her and other women in the industry.