Women in Aviation: Zaria Childs

My name is Zaria, and I am a private pilot student in the Accelerated Airline Pilot Track (AAPT) program at Acron Aviation Academy.

My love for rollercoasters led to my love for aviation. Almost a decade ago, I was taken on a surprise trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and after taking my first flight on a Delta MD-88, my weather girl aspirations were taken over by aviation. I graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a major in Aviation & Airport Management and a minor in Law, then went on to work in aviation consulting for six months. Deciding the corporate world wasn’t for me, I began searching for flight schools with structured programs that would allow me to pursue my dream of flying, which led me to Acron Aviation Academy.

After taking a campus tour, I was immediately drawn to the friendly staff, abundant resources, and the strong sense of purpose the Academy had to offer. I am also super honored to have been selected as a 40th Anniversary Scholarship recipient, which helped me jumpstart my training here.

Celebrating Women in Aviation is so important, and I am so grateful to be a part of this community of talented and extraordinary women. My female aviation influence is Mrs. Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician and physicist who helped perform the calculations necessary for the Friendship 7 mission in 1962. Mrs. Johnson’s determination and ability to overcome adversity are inspiring qualities I hope to carry with me throughout my aviation career.

One thing I would like to say to young female aviators is that success oftentimes doesn’t come from perfection. Growth is never linear; there are ups and downs, but with discipline and hard work, anything is possible. Never be afraid to let your mind expand beyond the box society has built for you. The sky is truly the limit!