Sky’s the Limit for Parvanya Singh
At just 18 years old, Parvanya Singh from New Delhi, India, has already set her sights on a career in aviation. “My association with aviation is primarily linked to my dad, who’s an engineer,” she said. Growing up, she and her mother often accompanied her father, a Senior Sales Engineer, on his work trips. “My mom and I used to tag along with him on a few of his trips,” Parvanya recalled, adding that her parents’ shared love for travel, whether journeys to Punjab or international destinations like Singapore, is what inspired me to pursue something that involved traveling for my career as well.” While she doesn’t have direct family members in the aviation industry, Parvanya reflects that “all of my childhood’s background was painted with aviation,” shaping the passion she carries today.
Parvanya’s dream of becoming a pilot started at an early age, “I’ve been told that I used to say from early on, when I was a kid, that I wanted to be a pilot,” she shares, though she admits she can’t recall a single defining moment. Instead, “it sort of built over the years. The conviction that this is what I wanted to do.” Unlike many of her peers, Parvanya never seriously considered another career path. In fact, when faced with India’s pivotal decision, after completing her 10th grade, choosing between science, humanities, or commerce, she chose science. “Becoming a pilot in India requires you to have Physics and Math,” she explained, “so, I chose Science, just in case.”
Her path to beginning flight training at Phoenix East Aviation was made smoother with the support of TNC Aviation. “I reached out to Phoenix East Aviation’s admissions department in June 2023, and discovered TNC AViation about a year after, after attending one of PEA and TNC’s seminars in Delhi,” she explained. Their guidance proved invaluable as she prepared to begin her journey in the United States. “TNC Aviation helped with the visa process as well as the accommodation here,” Parvanya noted, emphasizing the role they played in making her transition possible.
During her private pilot training, Parvanya found inspiration in the representation she experienced early on. “I was almost solely taught by female instructors, and one of them, Pearl, was my ground school instructor as well,” she shared. Witnessing Pearl’s “work ethic and tremendous patience” reassured her that with dedication, she could earn a place in the aviation world. Training out of Phoenix East Aviation’s Flagler campus (KFIN), Parvanya appreciated the smaller environment compared to the busier Charlie airspace Daytona’s campus flies out of, though she noted “there’s relatively less female instructors.” For her, the opportunity to see women leading in aviation was invaluable. “I’m just grateful to have felt that representation and hope that I can give the same feeling as a flight instructor, in the future,” she said.
Starting her training in Florida at just 17 years old was both exciting and intimidating for Parvanya. “I was ‘fresh off the press’ of high school, as they say,” she recalled. Being far from home brought its own challenges. “Initially I was very homesick, but overtime it got better.” Along with adjusting to a new country, she also wrestled with big-picture doubts. “I was a bit nervous about whether I’d make a good choice in choosing flight training before getting an undergrad degree and whether I’d chosen wisely in taking aviation as a career, since it can get crazy expensive at times,” she admitted.
Looking back at her training so far, one experience stands out above the rest. “I’d say the most memorable moment of my training so far has been my long instrument cross country for sure,” Parvanya shared. Flying with her instructor, Mr. Jung, they traveled to KPIE with a stop at KSRQ. “Half of the flight went by perfectly, but the second half was the one in which I messed up a bit on the approaches, ” she admitted. What followed was a lesson she’ll never forget. “Suffice to say, I will always remember that 20 minute long debrief that propelled me to make sure I’d never make those mistakes again. Or at least try my best not to.”
Among the lessons she has carried with her, one piece of advice stands out. “At the end of the day, you should always come back to your training,” Parvanya recalled. While simple, the guidance has proven powerful in keeping her grounded and focused. She credits this wisdom to a CFI mentor “who now works as a flight instructor as well,” and it continues to shape the way she approaches each new challenge in aviation.
Today, Parvanya’s hard work is reflected in the milestones she has already achieved. “I currently hold a Private Pilot License with an Instrument Rating”, she shared proudly. Her training journey is far from over, though. With determination and focus, she is “now working on obtaining my Commercial Pilot License,” ultimately progressing toward her goal of building a professional career in aviation.
As she continues working toward her goals, Parvanya shares heartfelt advice for aspiring pilots. “To give your training everything you can, because that is going to be the one thing, at least in your career, that nobody can take away from you,” she emphasized. She reminds students that challenges are temporary, “you can lose connections, your favorite CFI might leave, but if you just keep your head down and work hard, you can get where you want to be.” And above all, she encourages them not to lose sight of the joy in the journey. “Training can be tough but remember to enjoy it as well. I know it’s easier said than done, but still.”
When asked what advice she would give to young women considering aviation today, Parvanya’s message was clear and encouraging. “I would say that a career in aviation is worth it and it can be really fulfilling if you really want to do it,” she shared. For her, the field stands out because of its fairness and demand for dedication. “It’s a field where people are evaluated on the basis of their skill (that you build over time and experience) and ability to put in the work. At least, that’s been my experience until now.”
Closing her story, she reflects on the support and mentorship that have shaped her journey. “The mentorship process during my training has been really amazing and it was one of the factors that kept me going and striving to better myself and improve my knowledge,” she explained. For her, aviation is not just about flying, it’s about the people who lift you up along the way. “In flight, everything you feel mentally, appears in high definition, so it’s extremely important to have a support system that takes care of you and helps you.” For Parvanya, that support system has always been her family. “It’s not easy to ship your 17-year-old daughter halfway around the world and trust that she’ll be fine,” she said of her parents and brother. “They may not be the only ones doing that, but that doesn’t make it much easier. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now, being highlighted for my flight training.”
Parvanya Singh’s story is a compelling reminder of how passion, persistence, and the right support system can turn dreams into a reality. From her early days exploring the world alongside her parents to mastering the skies in Florida, she has shown that dedication and hard work can propel anyone forward, especially those willing to embrace challenges and learn from every experience. With her Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, and the pursuit of a Commercial Pilot License, Parvanya is not only achieving her own ambitions but also inspiring the next generation of pilots, particularly young women, to reach for the skies. Her journey illustrates that with focus, mentorship, and perseverance, the sky truly is the limit.
