Aviation isn’t just about flying; it’s about resilience, passion, and the never-give-up attitude that keeps you going even when everything seems against you. I know this firsthand because my own journey to becoming a pilot was full of struggles, setbacks, and moments where I almost gave up. If you’re a student trying to make it in this industry, I want you to know—you’re not alone.

A Journey of Struggles and Determination

After my 12th, I had no idea what to do or where to go. But one thing was clear—I wanted to do something big, something unconventional. My elder brother took me to Jaipur Flying Club because he wanted me to become a pilot. We met the instructors and students there, and the moment they told us the fees, my brother and I just looked at each other, speechless. The instructors and students didn’t make it any easier—they told me there were no jobs, the training period was too long, and that I shouldn’t even think about coming into this field.

But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I asked my dad to get me an SPL book. He even traveled to Delhi just to buy it from an English bookstore. But when I saw how much money was needed for the course, I knew my dad wasn’t comfortable with such a huge financial burden. That was enough for me to step back—I couldn’t put my family through that.

So, I took a different path. I did my graduation from Jaipur and decided to make a career in IT. Later, I completed my MCA from Manipal Institute of Technology.

I worked at TCS for a year, but then one day, I saw an ad in the newspaper: "Become a Pilot in Six Months." That one line hit me like a wave. I couldn’t stop thinking—do I still have a chance? Can I still be a pilot?

The Bank Loan Struggle

I started researching flying clubs and bank loans. Every week, I visited different bank branches, hoping for a yes, but all I ever heard was, "No, we don’t give loans for pilot training." It was frustrating, exhausting. My friend, Ritu, stood by me in this tough time. She kept pushing me to try one more time, to not give up. I must have visited at least 40 bank branches—all rejections. Even my father’s own bank, Bank of India, refused. That was heartbreaking.

Then, one day, I saw a post on Facebook about a student who got a CPL loan from Bank of India. That gave me hope. I went to the bank and asked, "If he got a loan, why can’t I?" I kept pushing, and finally, the loan was approved from their headquarters in Mumbai. But there was another challenge—my father had to put his entire FD as collateral. And he did.

Visa Struggles and Training in the Philippines

Next came the US visa process. I applied twice and got rejected both times. That was another punch in the gut. But I didn’t stop. Eventually, I found another way and completed my training in the Philippines.

In December 2008, I finally received my CPL license. I can still feel the excitement of holding that document in my hands, thinking, "Now my career is going to take off!" What I didn’t know was that a storm was waiting for me.

The Harsh Reality After CPL

The economic slowdown hit hard. Jobs were scarce, and with a huge loan looming over me, the piling interest felt suffocating. For two and a half years, there were no job opportunities. Watching my batchmates struggle alongside me made it even worse. Some gave up. Some switched careers. And some, like me, held on with everything we had.

When airlines finally started hiring again, I thought, "This is it! My time has come!" But life had other plans. I failed airline exams for Indigo and Jet Airways. Every rejection shattered me a little more. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, Kingfisher Airlines shut down, taking away even more job opportunities.

Finding a Way to Survive

With no immediate job in sight, I had to do something. That’s when I started teaching aspiring pilots, CPL holders, and airline first officers for their ATPL exams. But let me be clear—teaching wasn’t a backup plan. It was something I loved.

I wasn’t making much money, but the joy of helping students kept me going. I still remember the days I survived on just four bananas for ₹10 instead of having a proper lunch, just so I could keep teaching. I would walk 3-4 kilometers in the scorching heat to give home tuitions because I couldn’t afford the transport.

Many days, I traveled five hours in shared autos and metros, coming home with empty pockets. Borrowing money from friends was tough, but sometimes, it was the only option. There were even times when I had only Parle-G biscuits for three days straight. Looking back now, those struggles shaped me in ways I never expected.

Near Misses and Unwavering Hope

One of my closest opportunities was a job in Indonesia. I was almost there, ready to pack my bags and start my career. But then, at the last moment, a sudden rule change by the Indonesian government crushed my hopes. I was devastated. I cried for days, questioning everything.

I would watch airplanes fly overhead and wonder—"Was this really meant for me? Will I ever wear that uniform, sit in that cockpit, and finally feel what it’s like to be a commercial pilot?"

Golden Epaulettes Aviation: A Dream Forged in Struggles

Golden Epaulettes Aviation wasn’t built out of luxury or easy success—it was built out of pure struggle, desperation, and the refusal to give up. Awdhesh and I were at our lowest, with no clear way forward. There were moments when everything felt like it was slipping away, but instead of breaking, we fought back.

What started as a survival instinct slowly turned into something bigger than us. We knew exactly what it felt like to be lost, to have no proper guidance, to keep knocking on doors only to hear "No" over and over again. That’s why we built Golden Epaulettes Aviation—a place where aspiring pilots could get the support, mentorship, and real guidance that we wished we had during our own journey.

Every setback, every rejection, every sleepless night became the foundation of this academy. Today, Golden Epaulettes Aviation stands as proof that if you refuse to quit, even the worst days can lead to something extraordinary.

The Turning Point: Air India 2015

2015, Air India announced vacancies. This was the moment I had been waiting for. After all the struggles, all the failures, I knew this was my shot.

But by then, I had learned one thing—success is not just about skills. It’s about resilience. It’s about getting back up every single time you get knocked down.

Your Story Matters

If you’re going through a tough time, if you’re feeling lost or doubting yourself—keep going. If I had quit, if I had given up on my dream, I wouldn’t be here today.

One day, you will look back at this moment and realize this struggle made you stronger.

Every great pilot was once a student who refused to stop dreaming. If you’ve struggled, failed, or felt like giving up, I want to hear your story. Drop it in the comments below—your journey might just inspire someone else to keep going.

The sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.