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African Aviation Advocates

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African Aviation Advocates

The voice of African and Black aviation professionals, championing diversity, connection, empowerment, and inspiring stories. ✈️💖

02/08/2026

FROM CHALLENGES TO THE COCKPIT: SHE KEPT SHOWING UP UNTIL THE DREAM BECAME REALITY.

There are moments in an aviation journey when the destination feels far away, but the determination to keep going becomes stronger than the challenges standing in the way.

In Teneshia's words:
“After facing challenges from financial to training situations; continuously showing up because I want this, because I don’t see me doing anything else, and because I’ve come all this way; I knew those challenges were just another mountain to climb.

After a year from obtaining my instrument license, I can say I’ve had some moments of Rote and Primacy learning I had to fix. Being patient with myself and showing up everyday giving it my all is what led me here.
The vision, the motivation, the determination, the hunger for success and for this career, is what got me here. To God be the glory, cause without God I am nothing. Live out your dreams, you deserve to! Shout out to Luke Weather’s Flight Academy!”

“I feel official. I feel less like as private pilot & more like a public one, with privileges & limitations of course. I’ve learned so much & still have so much more to learn & I’m here for it.

I’m thrilled, motivated, & determined to do so much more. The sky is literally the limit.”

Congratulations on earning your Commercial SE Teneshia Boston . All of us at African Aviation Advocates wish you clear skies and safer landings.
Keep learning. Keep flying. Keep inspiring.

22/07/2026

My name is Rui da Conceição Rui Conceicao and I am originally from Mozambique 🇲🇿. I have dedicated much of my life to aviation and have had the privilege of serving as a Captain and aviation professional across various regions, working in both commercial and private aviation operations.

My passion for aviation began at a young age. The ability of flight to connect people, cultures, and businesses inspired me to pursue a career in this remarkable industry. Throughout the years, I have built experience in flight operations, charter aviation, airline development, aviation mentoring, training, and executive aviation. These opportunities have enabled me to contribute to the advancement of aviation across Africa and internationally.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been mentoring young pilots and sharing knowledge with aspiring aviation professionals. I firmly believe that aviation has the power to transform lives, open doors, and create opportunities for future generations.

A memorable lesson from my early flying days remains vivid in my mind. After completing my first solo flight, I was celebrating with friends and instructors, enjoying what felt like one of the greatest achievements of my life. Shortly afterward, an engineer approached me and said, “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

We walked over to the aircraft, and to my surprise, he pointed to the main landing gear tire. During my landing, I had touched down so firmly that I had damaged the tire. I stood there in complete disbelief. Until then, I had only heard stories about pilots “eating a tire” on landing and never imagined it could happen to me—especially on my very first solo flight. It was a humbling experience and an important reminder that aviation is a continuous learning journey, regardless of how significant the milestone may seem.

Looking back today, it is a memory that still makes me smile. It reminds me that every pilot begins somewhere and that some of the most valuable lessons are learned one flight at a time.

08/07/2026

Representation Matters 🤎💙

02/07/2026

Congratulations to our very own Aram Thiam AramTheAviator on earning her Private Pilot License (PPL)! ✈️🎉

"I felt really good to earn my PPL and to be able to show my parents proof that all their sacrifices from the beginning to this point have not gone to waste 🇸🇳!"

Congratulations, Captain Aram! The sky is only the beginning. 🇸🇳✈️

29/06/2026

Hey, my name is Yasmin Adan, I’m 20 years old from Nairobi, Kenya. I have already obtained my Private Pilot License and I’m currently building hours as I work towards completing my Commercial Pilot License.

Honestly, I’ve loved aviation ever since I was a kid. Every time I saw a plane flying over me, I’d stop and stare with so much excitement. I was always fascinated by the idea of flying and seeing the world from above. Deep down I knew I didn’t just want to watch them from the ground, I wanted to be the one flying them. Over time, that fascination grew into a dream, and today I am working towards making that dream a reality as a professional pilot.

What makes this journey even more special to me is that I’m a Muslim girl from the Garre community, a small Cush*tic tribe in Kenya, and not many girls from my background go into aviation. At the beginning, I faced some discouragement from religious elders and even family members. They felt that aviation wasn’t the most suitable path because women from our community and religion are expected to be modest and reserved, and being in a male-dominated field was seen as conflicting with that. Although I understand where those concerns come from, I believe that with discipline and by staying grounded in my values, it is possible to pursue aviation while still holding onto my faith and identity.
One of the proudest moments of my journey was earning my PPL. After all the training, pressure, and hard work, finally holding that license in my hands was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. It reminded me that every sacrifice was worth it.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been easy. One of my biggest struggles has been staying consistent. Some days were great, and some days were really discouraging, especially after tough lessons or bad flights. The pressure would get to me and I’d lose motivation. But I’m grateful I kept pushing and never gave up on myself.

A fun fact about me is that when I’m not flying or studying, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen baking something sweet. I love experimenting with new recipes and adding my own twist to them. There’s something really relaxing about baking for me. I enjoy the process just as much as the result, and I love sharing what I’ve made with family and friends.

I hope my journey reminds someone out there that no dream is too big. Don’t limit yourself because of where you come from or what people say. The sky is never the limit, it’s just where the journey begins!

21/06/2026

Happy Father's Day to the Fathers who guide, protect, and inspire us every day.

Today, we celebrate not only fathers but also the mentors, father figures, and role models who have helped shape lives, build dreams, and chart the course for future generations.

To those with us and to the cherished memories of those who have departed, your guidance continues to inspire.

Happy Father's Day.

— African Aviation Advocates

20/06/2026

Hello everyone, I’m Tawana Dzinzi, a 19-year-old aspiring pilot from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 currently training at Lanseria Flight Centre in Midrand, South Africa (FAGC), where I am working toward my Private Pilot Licence.

For me, aviation is more than flying aircraft it is a story of purpose, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Before she passed away, I made a promise to my late grandmother that one day I would become a pilot. That promise became my strength on the hardest days and the reason I continue pushing forward even when the journey feels difficult.

Coming from Zimbabwe, aviation can often feel like an impossible dream because of the limited opportunities and the financial cost of training. My family has sacrificed so much to help me get here. They believed in my dream enough to invest in it, even when it meant making difficult sacrifices of their own. Every time I step into an aircraft, I carry their hopes, prayers, and support with me.

Each lesson I study and every hour I spend training reminds me that where you come from should never limit where you can go. My dream is not only to become a pilot, but to inspire other young Africans to believe that impossible dreams are still worth chasing.

A fun fact about me is that besides aviation, I enjoy watching history documentaries and learning about the stories that shaped our world. Another dream close to my heart is one day being able to fly with my grandpa at the Regional Airliner Fastjet a moment that would mean everything to me.

13/06/2026

Hi, I’m Abraham Ikyav Yankyaa from Benue State, Nigeria, and I currently work at MMIA Lagos as a ramp agent. My journey into aviation started with pure passion for aircraft operations. I was always fascinated by everything happening behind the scenes to make a flight successful. What started as interest gradually became a career, and today I’m proud to be part of the team that keeps ramp operations safe and efficient every single day.

Working on the ramp has taught me so much about teamwork, discipline, communication, and how to stay calm under pressure. It’s a job that demands focus, quick thinking, and commitment because every task on the ramp matters when it comes to flight safety and on-time departures.

Undoubtedly, the journey has been challenging, and there were moments in my first two years when the pressure almost got the better of me. Dealing with harsh weather, long working hours, and simultaneous multiple flight operations can be both physically and mentally taxing. Nonetheless, these experiences have significantly contributed to my ability to handle pressure with confidence.

Beyond my role in ramp operations, I have a keen interest in aviation media and content creation, driven by a passion to reveal the authentic side of airport operations and educate others about the aviation industry, particularly the often-overlooked work on the ramp. My aspiration is to advance in the aviation sector while establishing a platform that acknowledges the invaluable contributions of ground operations professionals.

One aspect of my job that I find particularly enjoyable is the use of aviation language and code communication, especially during operations when I'm on the headset.

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