A pilot must go through a rigorous process to become certified. This process includes completing ground school, logging more than 40 flight hours, obtaining necessary instrument and engine ratings, and working toward a preferred license. Misa Franklin, a private pilot instructor, describes her journey to becoming a pilot.
Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Franklin came to the United States at age 15. While visiting Illinois, she saw her friend’s dad’s plane for the first time. “My friend’s dad had a Cessna. He took me for a ride, and that was when I knew I wanted to be a pilot,” Franklin said.
After moving to St. Clair County, Ill., Franklin started taking flying lessons. Within just a few classes, she could perform multiple maneuvers: takeoffs, steep turns, slow flights, and landings.
Years later, after constant practice and studying, Franklin’s most anticipated moment finally arrived: she received her private pilot’s license at Scott Air Force Base. However, before getting her license, Franklin also needed to pass an exam. “I was super nervous. There was just so much to remember, so the whole exam was nerve-racking. But all the studying paid off,” Franklin said.
After receiving her license, Franklin returned to Japan for a year before coming back to the United States. She reflects on her life up to that point. “After I came back from Japan, everything was a mess. I knew I wanted to work toward my solo, but I didn’t have the time. I was also nervous to start flying again because I thought I had forgotten everything.”
Franklin then moved to Bowling Green, Ky., where she attended Western Kentucky University. Bowling Green was also where Franklin soloed for the first time, a moment she remembers vividly. “It was the most ecstatic feeling, knowing I could finally fly a plane by myself. It was a moment I never could have even dreamed of,” she said. Franklin stayed in Kentucky for a couple of years post-college before moving to St. Petersburg, Fla. In Florida, she became a full-time flying instructor, now teaching more than 15 students. “Not only do I get to do what I love, but I also get the chance to change other students’ lives in the process.”
In addition to the meaningful opportunities of helping others, Franklin shares other insights as to why she loves to be a pilot. “Flying lets you forget about all your problems,” Franklin said. “It’s almost like therapy. Plus, when I see everyone from the sky, it just makes me think how small my problems are.”
In the end, Franklin left a word of advice: “The sky is the limit; you can do whatever you set your mind to.”