As a young girl with no experience in the sky, Anna Roberts never dreamed that she would one day have a long career of flying. However, a world-changing pandemic and a chance encounter with a book sparked a curiosity that would slowly grow into a passion for flying.
In the midst of a world engulfed by a pandemic, 13-year-old Anna Roberts sought solace amidst the aisles of her local Hobby Lobby. It was there that she stumbled upon Nerves of Steel by, Tammy Jo Shults. Initially intrigued by the story, she decided to purchase a copy.
As Anna delved into Tammy Jo’s gripping narrative of flying F-18 fighter jets and successfully landing Southwest Flight 1380, she found herself captivated. This novel became the guiding light for Anna’s journey into the world of aviation.
In March of 2022, fate smiled upon Anna at the Women in Aviation (WAI) International Conference where she had the opportunity to meet her idol, Tammy Jo Shults. Their interaction lasted an “insane” 30 minutes, leaving Anna in awe of Tammy Jo’s remarkable presence. Reflecting on the encounter, Anna described Tammy Jo as ‘amazing,’ further solidifying her as a source of inspiration. Motivated by this encounter, Anna felt a renewed sense of determination to turn her dream of flying into a reality.
By 16, she embarked on formal training with the Bradley Flying Association at Peoria International Airport. Initially plagued by weather delays and miscommunications, Anna refused to succumb to defeat. Instead, she embraced the setbacks as learning opportunities, choosing to toughen up and be steadfast in pursuit of her goals. Anna was determined to accomplish all necessary steps to become a pilot at the youngest legal age.
By March 2023, at the age of 16, she achieved a significant milestone by completing her initial solo flight. However, her journey was not without its challenges. After soloing, Anna encountered an exceptional number of delays that hindered her progress in fulfilling her certification requirements. Despite these setbacks, she remained firm in her determination to become a pilot by 17. With unwavering commitment, Anna continued to chip away at her requirements, slowly but steadily moving closer to her ultimate objective.
That same year, Anna’s ambitious plans continued to grow as she looked forward to attending AirVenture in Oshkosh as a certificated pilot. On the day of her much-anticipated checkride, excitement surged. Anna arrived, fully prepared with her navigation log, logbook, and dreams of success. However, her excitement quickly turned to dismay when she discovered a devastating setback: due to a paperwork error and a forgotten step, Anna did not possess her student pilot certificate, only a printed application. As a result, ineligible to take the exam, she also learned her 19 hours of cross-country flight time were invalidated. This unexpected turn of events shattered Anna’s plans, leaving her feeling disheartened as she returned home.
With the pressure mounting and senior year on the horizon, Anna’s second attempt emerged. Struggling to maintain focus, she ultimately failed her oral exam. The weight of pressure and stress began to take its toll, causing a noticeable change in Anna’s demeanor. She described feeling “more uptight than usual” and admitted to “losing her mind for a bit.” Recognizing that the situation was only deteriorating, Anna knew that it was time for a change.
In the fall, she made one of the toughest decisions an aspiring pilot can make. Temporarily stepping away from flying, she chose to focus on her commitment to volleyball. Despite the challenges and heartbreak, Anna’s dedication to her team paid off in a way she never imagined. Her team had a wild record-breaking season culminating in a trip to state. Throughout this experience, Anna forged lifelong memories, felt recharged, and gained valuable life lessons that she could later connect to her pilot training.
Armed with new wisdom, Anna approached her private pilot exam with a newfound perspective. She embraced the mantra of not “putting one thing on a pedestal” and instead focused on celebrating the good but not getting distracted and swiftly moving on from setbacks. With determination fueling her every step, Anna re-entered the private pilot exam arena. On December 19th, she conquered the first hurdle by completing her oral exam with confidence and poise.
In a twist of fate, Anna encountered yet another setback as her designated pilot examiner (DPE) discovered a crack in the exhaust pipe of the Cessna 172 scheduled for her test. This unexpected turn of events forced her flight to be abruptly discontinued, prolonging her wait to take to the skies once more.
As December and January embraced their characteristic Midwest winter, Anna found herself forced to discontinue and reschedule multiple exams. Then, one crisp day, February 13th, an opportunity arose. In a paradoxical turn of events for Anna, she took to the skies and earned her Private Pilot Certification. “I couldn’t believe that I actually did it,” Anna explained, “I accomplished something bigger than me.” With her newfound pilot certification, Anna could breathe freely once again.
Although Anna’s dream of attending Air Venture as a certified pilot did not materialize, she found infinite joy participating in the 2024 WIA conference as a pilot. There, she savored connecting with inspirational people and was honored to represent LifeLine pilots at their booth.
Reflecting on her journey to become a private pilot, Anna acknowledges the numerous setbacks she encountered. Yet, she affirms that each obstacle was a valuable lesson in disguise. Through perseverance and determination, she matured significantly and now feels thoroughly equipped for the next phase of her aviation journey. Anna will embark on a new chapter at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she will pursue a major in Aviation Management alongside Flight Training. Additionally, she aims to enlist in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) to prepare for a career in the Air Force. While her ultimate aspiration is to pilot fighter jets, Anna remains open to any flying opportunities that come her way.
Despite her youth, Anna has already encountered and conquered numerous challenges. Her journey’s triumph is made even more remarkable by the adversity she faced along the way. With her unwavering perseverance, composed demeanor, and thoughtful approach, Anna is poised to excel as she continues her ascent in the field of aviation.
Article written by Laurie Mulé
With over a decade of writing experience, I’m driven by a curiosity for people’s stories, exploring fresh ideas, and embracing life’s diverse opportunities. When I’m not writing, I’m pursuing my instrument rating or hiking with my dog, Nova.
