A young and brilliant man identified as Delante Sykes has successfully achieved his childhood dream of becoming a pilot after 11 years of studying.
Delante Sykes had dreams of becoming a pilot since he was a little kid. He shared some beautiful photos of himself being pictured trying to fly an airplane at the age range of 2 years old.
In 2017, he graduated from Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, North Carolina, and immediately got enrolled to study Aviation at the University of North Dakota, United States. By 2020, Delante Skyes graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management with a 3.73 GPA and looked forward to flying.
He enrolled for Pilot training at the University of North Dakota from 2020 to 2022 until he became a Stage Check Pilot.
Shortly after the completion of his required qualifications at the university, Delante Skyes got selected in the 1st round of the airline draft by American Airlines.
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His Father, Valentino Skyes shared his proud dad moment on Facebook. “Proud Dad Moment Alert. My son was selected in the 1st round of the airline draft by American Airlines. He was drafted as an First Officer.
Last week he took to the skies flying passengers around the country. Congrats First Officer Delante ”The Durag Pilot” Sykes,” Valentino wrote on Facebook. Taking to LinkedIn, Delante narrated that his journey has been on for 11 years and his dream is finally coming to pass.
His words;
“After 11 years of prayer, planning, & perseverance, my dreams have become my reality. “Let me reintroduce myself: F.O. Delante’ “The Durag Pilot” Sykes ✈️ “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NKJV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it typically take to become a certified pilot?
It usually takes 2–5 years to become a certified commercial pilot, depending on the country, type of license, and training schedule. However, due to various challenges, it can take longer, as seen in this case where it took 11 years.
What are the stages involved in becoming a commercial pilot?
The stages include:
Ground school (theory and aviation knowledge)
Private Pilot License (PPL) training
Instrument Rating (IR)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training
Flight simulator assessments
Accumulation of flight hours and type rating
Why did it take 11 years in this case?
Several factors can cause delays in pilot training:
Financial constraints
Repeating theory exams or flight assessments
Delays in flight hours due to aircraft availability
Regulatory or personal life challenges
How much does it cost to become a pilot?
Depending on the country, it can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 (or even more) to complete all the training required for commercial pilot certification.
What advice did the father or son share for aspiring pilots?
While specific quotes were not revealed, their story strongly communicates key messages:
Never give up on your dream
Hard work pays off—even if it takes time
Support from family can make all the difference
Believe in yourself, especially when things get tough