Aviation as My Legacy: From Solo Motherhood to Skybound Leadership

Why Aviation, and Why Now

For years, aviation lived in the background of my life as a quiet calling. I was raising my son, rebuilding after loss, and learning how to navigate life as a solo mother. Somewhere in the middle of all of that, my love for the sky kept resurfacing — in documentaries, in photos, in those moments when I would look up and feel a pull I couldn’t ignore anymore.

Aviation, for me, is about more than flying an airplane from Point A to Point B. It’s about building a life with more freedom, more purpose, and more capacity to serve. I want my son to see his mother pursue something big, disciplined, and meaningful — not in theory, but in real life.

My journey into aviation is unconventional. I’m entering this world later than some, with real financial constraints and real responsibilities. But I’m also entering it with maturity, resilience, and a very clear “why.” I’m not just training for myself. I’m training for the stories I’ll tell, the people I’ll encourage, and the doors I hope to open for other women and solo parents who think their window has closed. It hasn’t.

Flight Training Plan & Dual Timeline

My flight training plan is designed to be both ambitious and realistic. I’ve created two tracks: an accelerated path if full funding arrives early, and a scholarship-paced path if funding comes in stages. In both scenarios, I’m committed to safely and steadily progressing all the way through PPL, Instrument, Commercial, and eventually a helicopter add-on.

Accelerated Path (Full Funding + Arizona Training)

If scholarship funds and/or private donor support come together up front, my goal is to relocate to Arizona and train full-time in 2026–2027.

• 2026: Complete Private Pilot License (PPL) in approximately 2–4 months
• Late 2026–Spring 2027: Complete Instrument Rating (IR)
• 2027: Complete Commercial Certificate after building required hours
• Late 2027 (as funding allows): Begin helicopter add-on training

Arizona’s consistent flying weather makes it possible to stay on an accelerated schedule without all the delays caused by winter and frequent cancellations.

Scholarship-Paced Path (Staggered Funding)

If funding arrives in stages through scholarship cycles, I will train in a more gradual but still focused way:

• 2026: Complete PPL on a part-time or moderate schedule
• 2027: Begin and complete Instrument Rating
• 2028: Complete Commercial Certificate
• 2029: Begin helicopter add-on when funding is available

No matter which timeline unfolds, my commitment is the same: to finish what I start, honor every dollar of grant or donor support, and keep moving forward.

👉 Once I upload it, you’ll be able to view my full Flight Training Plan & Dual Timeline as a PDF here.
Download Training Plan (PDF)

Aviation Memberships & Community Involvement

I believe in learning inside community, not alone. To support my training and stay connected, I’ve joined several aviation organizations:

• Women in Aviation International (WAI) – Member since 2025
• The Ninety-Nines, Inc. – Member since 2025
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) – Member since 2025
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) – Member since 2025

These organizations provide mentorship, educational resources, and scholarship opportunities that make my training journey possible. As I move forward, I intend not only to receive support from these communities, but also to give back through speaking, storytelling, and mentorship for other late-entry student pilots.

Official Sharon Crady™ Aerial Media

My long-term vision is to build Official Sharon Crady™ Aerial Media as a division of my broader creative brand. This will combine:

• Flight training and cross-country journeys
• Aerial photography and videography
• Documentary-style storytelling
• Behind-the-scenes looks at training, checkrides, and the emotional side of this journey

I want to highlight not just the “Instagrammable” side of aviation, but the real work behind the scenes — the study, the discipline, the setbacks, and the breakthroughs. I also intend to spotlight humanitarian aviation causes, flight schools, and other pilots whose stories deserve to be told.

My hope is that, through this work, a woman somewhere — or a solo parent who thought their chance had passed — sees my journey and says, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.”

Aviation Documents & Contact

As my journey continues, I will be sharing key documents and updates related to my aviation training:

• Aviation Resume (PDF)
• Flight Training Plan & Dual Timeline (PDF)
• Aviation Cover Letter (selected portions)

If you’d like to follow my aviation journey, collaborate on aviation or aerial media projects, or discuss sponsorship and support, you can reach me through my contact page.