Young pilot wants to take career higher
When 22-year-old Osheen Hall first saw a plane in the sky as a young tot in basic school, he instantly fell in love with the machine and never doubted that he would fly one someday.
"I always wanted to become a pilot because I wanted to see what the world look like from above. At the time, I'd never travelled before and I was always fascinated with the jets and planes flying over my head and I wanted to be able to visit new countries," he said. However, growing up in the rural community of Toms River, St Andrew, he wasn't quite sure how he would attain his very big dream. Still, he was determined to find a way. Hall, who is currently a certified private pilot, told THE STAR that he wanted to show others that such a lofty dream was attainable.
"I feel privileged to be honest. Like it's almost unfathomable because you don't hear of anyone becoming a pilot from where I'm from and now I'm becoming the first," he said.
Hall, who is a past student of Calabar High School, is currently pursuing his instrument rating certification at Naples Air Center in Florida, the same institution where he received his private pilot certification which allows him to fly small planes. If Hall is successful in acquiring this certification, he will be equipped and certified to fly planes in harsh weather conditions. But his main goal is to become a commercial pilot and to fly for a major airline.
However, because of financial constraints, he will not be able to continue his studies at the moment. He intends to work until he is able to come up with enough money to fund the certification. So far, Hall's schooling has been solely funded by his father who lives in the United Kingdom.
"I didn't think I would be able to pursue my dreams so soon because of financial struggles. My mother is unemployed and my father is the main breadwinner. Suh mi neva did think dem would a be able to send mi," Hall said, adding that his father has made many sacrifices to get him this far.
"It really motivates me to work hard and push myself because I know I have to make them proud," he told THE STAR adding that he is also driven by his 16-year-old brother who also wants to become a pilot.
"Being able to alleviate the expenses for him would be an accomplishment for me. I wouldn't want my father to have to do on his own again," said Hall. Prior to attending the Naples Air Center, Hall studied at Aviation College of the Americas in Jamaica for three years which cost about $1.5 million. He admitted that much studying is required to become a pilot.
"It's a bit challenging but once you get the concept of it, it's easy to progress and move forward," he said. He encountered many challenges trying to figure out how to become a pilot and had to rely on his friends for guidance.
"I was never discouraged. The only thing I would say that was on my mind was how I would be able to get this dream going, like where would I start? Where would I go to study? Because at first I had no prior knowledge of where I could get training, how much training would cost, the expenses, what it would be like, because I had no previous exposure," Hall explained.
Hall also advised persons wishing to become pilots to try to expose themselves to as much knowledge as possible before moving into this environment.
"It would save you money if you are pre-exposed to what you need to learn and that will influence how much it will cost. So it will help you to accurately budget yourself," Hall said.