Meet Kamora Freeland, an FAA-certificated private pilot who, at the age of 17, became one of the youngest African American female pilots in the United States. Hear how Kamora—who had never even seen a pilot who looked like her—achieved her dream at no cost to her family. Kamora’s advice? “Look into scholarships, because there are a lot of them out there that people do not know about,” she says. To get started, check out our list of organizations across the country that offer aviation-related scholarships.

In this episode, you'll gain insight into the pivotal role parents play in helping children discover and nurture their purpose, the hard work and dedication required to become a safety-conscious pilot, and the resources available for those on a similar path—like the Red-Tailed Hawks Fly program. 

You'll also hear how Kamora prepared for the final test to earn her pilot certificate—the checkride. Checkrides test a pilot’s knowledge, skills, and judgement. It’s a hands-on flying test that aviators must pass to earn their pilot certificate from the FAA. 

Learn about training at faa.gov/pilots. Share this incredible story of determination, sacrifice, and overcoming challenges with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Even more curious about aviation after this episode? See how you can get involved with the FAA’s Airport Design Challenge. K-12 students learn STEM skills while designing virtual airports in Minecraft, guided by FAA aerospace and engineering experts.

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