Name: Sanjay Govindan
Age: 43
Event: First solo
Where: Pitt-Greenville Regional Airport (PGV), North Carolina
Airplane: Diamond DA20
When I was growing up in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, only the rich like the ruler of my state (Sultan) could afford to learn to fly. It had always been my childhood dream to learn to fly but my parents could not afford it. They were making $375 a month. Our Sultan had his own private runway on his palace ground with a fleet of Cessnas. I loved watching our Sultan fly around just like other village kids. My first experience on an airplane was in 1990 and it was on Malaysia Airlines and it was during my college summer break. I flew from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Senai International Airport in my town. It was only a 45-minute flight on a Boeing 737 (I think) but it was the best experience ever!
Fast forward about 21 years later, I am a U.S. resident and living my dream. I just soloed on a Diamond DA20 at Dillon’s Aviation in Greenville, North Carolina. Here in America, it does not matter if you are rich or poor, upper or lower income, doctor or handyman, you have a shot at your dream. It has taken me close to two years and 47 hours of flight time just to solo. Flying just gives me so much of peace of mind. Thank you America, my newfound home, for making this former village kid from Malaysia live his dream.
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