For 14-year-old Abhinav Sudjit, flying brings a sense of calm, connection with nature, and curiosity about the world above the ground. His passion for aviation shaped his childhood, weekends, and his family's life choice after moving from Chennai to the UK in November 2021.
The flight in Chennai that started it all
It all began on a sunny day along the East Coast in Chennai when he was eight years old. A short paragliding trip over the coast left an indelible impression on him. He remembers seeing the beach from above and telling the pilot that he wanted to go higher to see the clouds.
His father, Sudjit Sankar (43), recalls a mix of awe and excitement that morning. He notes that his son was fearless and stated, 'I am not afraid of heights. I want to fly above the clouds.' From that moment, his curiosity became evident and turned into a developing dream.
Even in Chennai, he spent hours studying videos and documentaries about aviation, trying to understand how airplanes and gliders fly. After the family moved to the UK in November 2021 for his father's work, new opportunities opened up for Abhinav that were unavailable in Chennai. Although adapting to the new education system and environment was challenging, it allowed his growing interest in aviation to develop.
Soon they discovered a local gliding club in Kent. A trial flight in a two-seater glider gave Abhinav his first real introduction to the sport. His father recalls that his son couldn't imagine how gliders could fly without an engine, but he was immediately captivated, and his interest grew into determination.
Gliding is a type of flight using an aircraft called a glider that has no engine. Pilots use rising air currents, known as thermals, to stay airborne. This requires careful observation of the sky, understanding the wind, and making precise decisions to maintain altitude and direction. Abhinav explains that it is quite complex because one must plan every maneuver and respect the sky, and every flight is a lesson in patience and mindfulness.
Learning to read the wind
Training began in a two-seater glider with an instructor, during which Abhinav mastered the basics of aircraft control, takeoffs, landings, and safety rules. During one early flight, an emergency landing was caused by a rope snapping during takeoff. His father notes that his son remained calm, and this became a lesson in focus and responsibility, increasing his dedication to the field.
Gavin, the instructor at the club, vividly remembers the first impression: 'Abhinav was calm and incredibly focused. Most children are restless, but he asked intelligent questions and absorbed every detail. It was clear he wanted to understand every part of the sport.' Weekends were dedicated to the airfield: mornings started with preparing gliders and studying the weather, afternoons with practicing maneuvers, and evenings concluded with discussions and reflections.
The instructor emphasizes that gliding involves controlling the aircraft, reading the air, forecasting changes, and developing patience, and Abhinav embraced all of this with maturity.
Despite the intensive training, education remained a priority. Abhinav, who is currently in the 9th grade, says that school is always number one, and most of his flights happen on weekends, which helps him balance studies and training. His father adds that they had to change their lives to support him, with early mornings, long days, and hours waiting for the weather, but watching his enthusiasm and commitment made every sacrifice worthwhile.
Over three years, he completed his training, mastering takeoffs, landings, emergency procedures, and interpreting weather conditions. Every lesson strengthened his technical skills and judgment. Gavin notes that it was his patience combined with his calm demeanor that set him apart. Before the young pilot is allowed to fly solo, he must demonstrate maturity, discipline, and the ability to make sound decisions, which he consistently showed.
Finally, on October 6, 2025, two days after turning 14, he was allowed to make his first solo flight. In the UK, 14 is the minimum age for a student pilot to fly a glider alone, provided the necessary training is completed.
Abhinav shares that he hoped to do it on his birthday, but the weather postponed it by two days. When the instructor stepped away and said, 'The sky is yours,' he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. But when he took off, it was magical. Flying alone was unforgettable.
His father recalls that moment emotionally: 'Watching him take off alone filled me with a mixture of pride and relief. When he landed safely, calm and composed, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I will remember this day forever.'
The day the instructor said: 'The sky is yours'
This achievement attracted attention. The Aero Club of India recognized him as Asia's youngest solo pilot and awarded him an FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) sports license, which allows him to participate in official gliding competitions.
He says that receiving this license felt like confirmation of all the effort and support behind him. Rajiv Pratap Rudi, President of the Aero Club, personally ensured that his achievement was highlighted on the club's news portal, making the recognition both official and personal.
Gavin believes that the sky is just the beginning. He asserts that he has the potential for national and international competitions, and with dedication and focus, there is no limit to what he can achieve.
The journey taught Abhinav how to handle pressure alongside the technical skills required for flying. The 14-year-old admits there were moments of fear. A snapped cable or a difficult landing tests self-confidence. But watching the instructors remain calm taught him how to handle pressure and maintain composure.
His father reflects that supporting him taught him patience and showed the reward for responsibly nurturing a child's passion. The growth he saw in him, including confidence, responsibility, and focus, is priceless.
Now he aims to obtain the bronze badge, a key milestone in gliding, and hopes to represent India internationally. To receive it, the pilot must accumulate the required solo flight experience, complete two qualifying soaring flights, and demonstrate his piloting skills to an instructor. This badge will bring Abhinav closer to the cross-country certificate, which can be obtained at age 16 and allows pilots to fly beyond the radius of their home airfield.
Abhinav explains: 'It would be an honor to inspire other young people to explore this sport. Every flight teaches me something, and I feel like I am part of something bigger.'
A short flight over the Chennai coast once ignited a dream. Today, that dream has carried Abhinav into the sky as Asia's youngest solo pilot, thanks to years of patience, training, and encouragement. Every weekend, every lesson brought him closer to the dream he first saw at eight years old. The young pilot says: 'The sky is calm, but full of life. I cannot imagine my life without flying, and I hope to develop in this field.'
