Mon Dec 02 14:40:55 UTC 2024: ## 18-Year-Old Samaira Hullur Becomes India’s Youngest Commercial Pilot
**Belagavi, Karnataka, December 2, 2024** – Samaira Hullur, an 18-year-old from Vijayapura, Karnataka, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming India’s youngest commercial pilot. She successfully completed all necessary examinations and accumulated over 200 hours of flight experience to earn her license.
Hullur’s journey began with a helicopter joyride during the Bijapur Utsav a few years ago, sparking her passion for aviation. She credits Captain Tapesh Kumar and Vinod Yadav for their mentorship and training at the Vinod Yadav Aviation Academy (VYAA) in New Delhi and Carver Aviation Academy in Baramati, Maharashtra. Her rigorous training included six examinations, all passed on the first attempt, and extensive flight hours in various aircraft, including multi-engine planes and night flying. She even completed her final radio transmission technology exam after turning 18, as the eligibility requirement was above her age initially.
Despite excelling academically, completing her SSLC at 15 and her 12th standard at 17, she displayed exceptional determination. Her father, Ameen Hullur, an interior designer, expressed pride in his daughter’s achievement and emphasized the family’s unwavering support. Her mother is a fashion designer and teacher.
Hullur’s accomplishment is being hailed as an inspiration for young girls, particularly in North Karnataka, where female education rates lag behind the state average. Omkar Kakade, a professor at Karnataka Akka Mahadevi Women’s University, praised Hullur’s achievement as an example of courageous and non-traditional career choices for young women.
First Piper 