Senior Olivia Kline has known she’s wanted to be a pilot since she was young. She gets most of her inspiration from her father.

“I’m passionate about planes because my father used to be a pilot. I’ve definitely been surrounded by aviation my entire life. I’ve flown on a lot of planes before. When I was little, I was always asked what do you want to be when you grow up, and I’ve always answered that I’ve wanted to be a pilot,” Kline said.

It wasn’t until 1998 that pilots with any type of sight disadvantages were allowed to get their commercial piolets license. Kline saw her dad run into challenges, but she won’t have to overcome many difficulties since times have changed. She has flown two planes before which has helped her prepare for her future plans. She was already used to the act of flying since she had been surrounded by aviation her whole life.

“Flying the plane itself was exactly how I thought it was going to be. You’re technically labeled as a student pilot until you get your license or anything like that, so there will always be someone else in the plane with you steering you around, making sure you don’t crash.” Kline said.

She recently applied to a prestigious aerospace science institution in hopes that she will get both better hands-on training and professors.

“I got accepted into an aviation program in Oklahoma. It’s at the Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Only 50 people get into it, if even that many people,” Kline said. 

With her experience flying planes, the inspiration she takes from her dad, and now her acceptance into this program, she has her eyes steady on her future.

“In the end, I definitely hope to be a commercial pilot and that’s something I’ve always had in mind. If not a commercial pilot, then just something in the field of aviation,” Kline said.