Ishitha Arekapudi, a determined and visionary 16-year-old from Washington, has reached another milestone on her journey to become an Astronaut, defying all the odds by attaining her Glider Pilot License.
Ishitha’s ultimate dream is to become an Astronaut, and she has tirelessly pursued this path against all challenges with unwavering focus. Her achievements include her Glider Solo at the age of 15, her Power Flight Solo at 16, and now the remarkable attainment of her Glider Pilot license at 16, accomplished at the Arlington Municipal Airport on 9th of July.
Photo Credit: Bharath Kumar Arekapudi
As a passionate space enthusiast, Ishitha is also a staunch ambassador for promoting aviation and space exploration. She is the founder and President of SkyRider’s, an organization dedicated to spreading aviation and space opportunities and knowledge among youth. Furthermore, Ishitha actively contributes as a valuable member of the Northshore Civil Air Patrol Squadron, holding a Sergeant position, and participating in the Red Tailed Hawk Pilot program. Her commitment to learning and sharing her passion for space and aviation is truly commendable. Additionally, she serves as the Official Youth Ambassador for EAA Chapter 84, leveraging social media to disseminate aviation news and foster interest among young individuals.
Ishitha Arekapudi is immensely grateful for the unwavering support and guidance she received from her instructors, Eric Haupt and Lawrence. Eric Haupt, the instructor who signed her off for the Solo, went above and beyond, providing exceptional support and training. Ishitha deeply appreciates Eric’s voluntary dedication and considers herself indebted to him for his invaluable assistance. Additionally, Lawrence, another instructor, generously shared his wisdom, boosting Ishitha’s confidence when she needed it the most. Their contributions played a significant role in Ishitha’s achievements.
These milestones would not have been possible without the support of Ishitha’s parents, sister, all volunteers in Evergreen Soaring Club and the organizations that have awarded her scholarships, including Soaring Society of America, Women’s soaring pilots association, and 1-26 Association.
Ishitha’s journey towards achieving her Glider Pilot License has been filled with twists and challenges, but she remained undeterred. Accessibility to training proved to be a significant hurdle, requiring her to work with six different instructors and face limited weekend operations, which reduced her training opportunities. Despite these obstacles, Ishitha’s determination and positive mindset propelled her forward. She is an inspiration to youth, having not only overcome challenges but also achieved her goals with unwavering passion.
Driven by a desire to inspire others, Ishitha shares her story and spreads her joy and passion for aviation among teenagers. She founded and currently leads the Sky Riders Club at Inglemoor High School, a platform aimed at promoting flying and providing opportunities for teenagers to pursue their dreams.
You can follow Ishitha’s extraordinary journey on Instagram at @nasa.starbound.
Ishitha expresses her profound gratitude to everyone who supported her in achieving this momentous milestone, and she finds it challenging to put into words the immense happiness she feels. She is truly “FLYING HIGH.”
