Anshika Aashish Mangal, a teenager from Mumbai, becomes fastest Indian woman to complete U.S. commercial pilot training

Mumbai : Mumbai native Anshika Aashish Mangal, 19 years old, has accomplished something really incredible, forever cementing her place in aviation annals. She finished her commercial pilot training in the United States in a record-breaking 5 months and 10 days, becoming her the quickest Indian girl to do so.

After finishing high school in March 2022, Anshika took the first steps towards pursuing a career in aviation. She completed the WPC Radio Telephone Examination RTR(A) and the commercial pilot training theoretical papers between June and September of the same year, demonstrating great devotion and love for her chosen job. These successes paved the way for her lofty goal of earning a commercial pilot’s licence.

In November 2022, Anshika received her US visa, opening doors to an incredible opportunity. By the end of December 2022, she embarked on her flight training in the United States. While the standard duration for flight training in India typically ranges from 1 to 1.5 years, the favorable weather conditions in the US allowed Anshika to complete her training in an impressively short timeframe.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), approximately 747 commercial pilot licenses were awarded to women in India between April 1, 2015, and June 30, 2022. India currently boasts the highest number of female pilots globally. Total number of CPL holder in India are 20,993 as of March 31, 2023.

Expressing her future plans, Anshika Mangal shared, “I plan to undergo multi-engine training and complete my license conversion process in India. I aspire to acquire an type rating and am determined to work exclusively for Indian airlines.” Her determination and drive to excel in her career are evident as she aims to contribute to the Indian aviation industry.