The Pilot Dream
The dream of becoming a pilot is the thread that runs through everything Shaurya Bahl does. It started at age 6 and has never left. Every venture he builds, every dollar he earns, is ultimately in service of this dream.
The Dream
Shaurya wants to become a licensed commercial pilot and fly for Emirates. His target flight school is the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) — one of the most prestigious flight training programs in the world, based in Dubai.
"My goal is to fully fund my flying education at the Emirates Flight Training Academy."
He already had a pilot in his family, which planted the seed early. He liked the idea of traveling the world as a job — sitting in a cockpit and controlling something powerful.
The Plan
Shaurya has mapped out a detailed pilot pathway:
Step 1: Research and Prepare (Age 15-16)
- Understand license paths: PPL → CPL → possible ATPL theory
- Start saving and understand costs
- Speak with flight schools
- Build perfect study habits in math, physics, and English
- Begin fitness routine and medical readiness
Step 2: Medical and Entrance Readiness (Age 16-17)
- Book initial aviation medical (Class 1 for commercial path) ~6-12 months before starting
- Organize passport, ID, background paperwork, vaccinations
- Aptitude tests and ICAO English proficiency prep
Step 3: Flight School Selection and Enrollment (Age 17-18)
- Compare schools on safety, fleet, weather, instructor ratio, job support
- Decide home-country vs. abroad path and license authority
Step 4: Training Phases
- PPL — Fundamentals and solo flying
- Hour building and theory (ATPL theory for airline track)
- CPL + IR + Multi-engine (if applicable)
- Type rating and airline assessments
Step 5: Early Career
- Build hours via instruction, charter, or regionals
- Keep medical current, logbooks clean, learning continuous
Key Requirements
- Class 1 aviation medical (for commercial track)
- Strong English and radio-telephony skills
- Solid math and physics base (this is why Shaurya focuses on these subjects in school)
- Financial plan for training + living
- Consistent fitness and sleep routines (see Health & Fitness)
How Building Funds the Dream
The connection between Shaurya's entrepreneurial work and his pilot dream is direct:
| Venture | Role in Funding the Dream | |---------|--------------------------| | Simplifly | Primary revenue potential through B2B eSIM contracts | | LockIn | B2B deals with RTA, schools, offices | | Raly | Fintech intelligence platform | | AI + Frnds | Community building, networking, future opportunities |
Everything is connected. The ventures fund the dream. The dream gives the ventures purpose.
"After all the learning, make money. Fund the dream."
The Timeline
All of this — landing clients, building the brand, possibly opening the first LockIn cafe — before he turns 18. The pressure is self-imposed, the timeline is ambitious, and the motivation is singular: get to that cockpit.