Atlanta native Valarie Wylly is soaring to new heights—literally. The young pilot packed her bags and left her hometown to pursue her dream of flying in Florida, and now, she’s celebrating a full-circle moment as she takes her first passengers on board, including the man who inspired her journey: her father.
In a heartwarming Instagram video, Wylly documented the milestone flight, sharing her excitement as she navigated the skies with her dad as a passenger. The clip captures her confidently communicating with ground control:
“Good afternoon Approach, 201 November Juliet, checking in at 6,500.”
She then receives instructions from air traffic control to proceed towards Sanford Airport before heading to Merritt Island. As she flies, Wylly reflects on how meaningful the experience is, calling it a surreal and unforgettable moment.
“I was just so excited to make this video because I’m having my first passengers ever today, and it is my dad, y’all! I am so very excited. If y’all know, my dad is the reason I got into aviation, so this is so exciting,” Wylly shared in the video’s voiceover.
As the journey continues, she captures her father’s joy as he looks out at the view below, grinning while playing with the buttons in the cockpit like a kid in a candy store.
He even helps push the plane back after landing—despite strong winds making for a challenging descent.
“Of course, my dad had to catch me landing. Honestly, this was not the best landing. Today was very, very windy. But y’all know my landings normally be butter!” Wylly joked, showing off her usual confidence and skill.
The young pilot’s journey to becoming a licensed pilot proves that perseverance, passion, and the power of representation can bring life-changing success in the aviation space.
With Black women making up a small percentage of professional pilots, Wylly’s story is an inspiration for young girls who dream of taking flight.
