From Ground to Greatness: the flight of India’s first lady pilot

Have you ever met someone who radiates so much positive energy and kindness that it’s hard not to feel inspired by their mere presence?

This Women’s Day, we decided to interview someone just like that. We had the pleasure of speaking with Rabia Futehally, the first woman in India to obtain her private flying license. Her story is one of determination, passion, and breaking barriers.

Join us as we delve into a fascinating conversation with Rabia, where she shares her wisdom and experience.

Just like you all reading this article, we were just as curious about what inspired her to become a pilot.

So we asked her, What inspired you to become a pilot and when did you first embark on this career path?

Rabia Futehally: Haha, well the story is not what people expect but rather something very spontaneous.

I don’t remember the year but, I remember becoming a pilot when my second daughter was just three months old.

I don’t remember the exact year, but it was around the time when Pandit Nehru announced that India needed more people in aviation. The government had announced a subsidy for anyone who wanted to fly, and there were a few flying clubs, including the Bombay Flying Club, where I started flying.

To qualify for the subsidy, you had to meet certain criteria, including passing a medical exam. My father and brothers took advantage of this opportunity, and even though I had a young daughter, they encouraged me to join as well.

So, I passed the necessary tests and began flying at the Bombay Flying Club.

Despite being the only girl there, I earned my pilot’s license before my brothers did. When people ask me about any physical challenges I faced after having my daughter, I say there were no problems. Everyone was helpful, and I enjoyed flying right from the start.

Interviewer: Oh, that’s a lovely story actually, gotta love your dad for encouraging you so much. So, what was the first Aircraft or plane you flew?

Rabia Futehally: Haha, I remember the day my father and brothers came home from the flying club, talking about “rudder” and “stick” and all sorts of flying jargon. I was intrigued and asked them about it. I said, what is this? You people have lost your mind. I said, can’t I fly? Because I was the sole girl there. So my father said, yes, why not? Come on, jump into the car. So he drove me to the airport and I took the necessary tests, including a medical exam. Despite having a young daughter and still living with my mother, I was determined to become a pilot. And I flew my first two-seater Piper PA 18. Under the government subsidies, it was something like 10rs for an hour of lying.

Interviewer: Have you ever faced any dangerous situations while flying, and are there any particular incidents that stand out to you as particularly challenging or unexpected?

Rabia Futehally: During my first solo cross-country flight, I had to fly 300 miles to a destination and back, while keeping track of my position and time. As I approached Pune, an Air Force base, I had to request permission to cross their airspace in very crisp and precise language.

However, the new operator who responded to my call said they had grounded the entire Air Force and I was free to go wherever I wanted.

This unexpected response was both surprising and a bit nerve-wracking, but I managed to complete the flight and land safely at Santa Cruz Airport.

Interviewer: Oh wow, that sounds stressful but you seem to have handled it like a pro. So let me ask you this, what was the best part about flying?

Rabia Futehally: So it’s just a feeling, you know? Hard to put in words, but let me describe you my first flight. I remember my very first flight with my instructor vividly. I sat in the front seat of the two-seater plane, while my instructor sat in the back, quite a distance away. As we taxied down the runway at Juhu, I had no idea what to expect. I held the stick, which is the steering wheel as well as the control for ascending and descending, while my feet were placed on the runner for turning left or right.

As we took off from Juhu, an airport close to the beach, I didn’t know what to expect.

You go from nothing to whatever, 120 mph or something. The plane gathered speed rapidly, and suddenly the ground fell away. I could see bushes and the hedge that divided the airport from the beach disappearing beneath us. Then the sand was under me, and the blue water was in my mind – it was truly an unforgettable experience.

Interviewer: Wow! That must have been a memorable experience! I must ask you this – Out of the many skills required to be a pilot, which one do you consider the most essential?

Rabia Futehally: Before becoming a pilot, you need to meet certain requirements. You have to pass a medical exam to ensure that you’re fit in various ways, including having proper eyesight. Speaking of eyesight, it needs to be within certain criteria, although they used to allow people with spectacles of a certain caliber to fly. But you need to have good vision inside and outside of the cockpit.

In terms of routines, before flying, we had to check the wind direction and gusts to make sure it was safe to take off.

But apart from that you need to have perseverance and courage to pursue your dreams with determination and passion, and show the world that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Interviewer: That’s really inspirational, I am sure all the young girls reading this out there must be really inspired.  So I have one last question for you, how does it feel? Like, I’m sure this question must have been asked you a lot of times in the past. You’re the first Indian pilot female, and even if you had the support of one side of the family, you definitely broke barriers there. So how does it feel to be India’s first lady pilot?

Rabia Futehally: Thank you for your very kind words although I was not the first pilot in India, I was among the first women to take to the skies when flying was introduced in the country in 1911. Back then, the licensing process was different, with A and B licenses being the norm. However, over time, the licensing process changed, and when I began flying, the private pilot’s license (PPL) and commercial pilot’s license (CPL) were introduced. This meant that many restrictions were removed, and with a PPL, I was able to fly passengers.

In fact, I flew a passenger almost every day, and on Sundays, my schedule was packed as many people were excited to experience the thrill of flying with a female pilot.

As the first woman in India to obtain a PPL, I’m grateful for the opportunity and proud of what I’ve accomplished.

Interview: You’re very humble ma’am, talking to you has sure made our day today. If you don’t mind me asking, what is your age ma’am?

Rabia Futehally: I don’t mind answering that at all, I am 87 years old.

At 87 years old, I have no regrets and I am inspired by all that I have accomplished. My advice to young people, my doctors, my children, and everyone else is to focus on what you can do, rather than what you cannot.

Interview: Wonderful! So on this Women’s day, What is the one message you’d like to give all the young girls out there?

Rabia Futehally: If you are unable to pursue one path, find another that suits your skills and passions. For example, if you cannot become a doctor for reasons beyond your control, consider becoming a pilot.

For aspiring young girls who want to become pilots, my advice is to not let anyone discourage them from following their dreams.

My father always treated his sons and daughters equally, allowing us to do whatever we wanted, including driving cars, working in the factory, and flying. I am grateful to him and want to salute him, as well as all of you for following your dreams. One of my flying colleagues, Bharti, and I decided to form a group and unite all these women pilots. Thus, we founded the Indian Women Pilots Association, which has now grown to hundreds of members and is doing very well worldwide. I’m proud to have been part of its inception, and I hope to see it continue to grow and inspire many more women to take to the skies.

Interviewer: That is such a wonderful initiative! This conversation has been nothing short of Inspiring. Thank you so much for being with us, this has been wonderful. I wish you all the best and a very Happy women’s day.

Rabia Futehally: Thank you for having me here, I am very touched to be part of this. Happy Women’s day to all you wonderful women out there!