45 ++ Best Inspirational Pilot Dream Quotes – U.S. Air Force Capt. Orchydia Sackey, a pilot with the 50th Air Refueling Squadron, stands in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings)
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – From attending airshows where various planes display incredible aerobatic displays, to watching Tom Cruise box office on the big screen, there are many motivational factors that can lead to a person’s desire to become an aviator.
45 ++ Best Inspirational Pilot Dream Quotes
US Air Force Captain Orchydia Sackey, who was born in St. His dream of becoming a pilot was born when he started his first commercial flight.
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“I knew I wanted to be a pilot when I took my first flight to (the United States),” Sackey said. “I was flying with my family from the Virgin Islands to Florida, and I was in second grade. My mom was sitting next to me. When she was so scared on the plane, I had the time of my life. That was the moment I knew I wanted to fly.
Not sure what route to take, Sackey did some online research for paths to becoming a pilot. Sackey made the decision during his junior year of high school to pursue flight through the Air Force and applied for an appointment to the US Air Force Academy.
“Being from the Virgin Islands, I don’t know anyone who has gone to the (Air Force) Academy,” Sackey said. “I already knew the application process myself. Neither of my parents went to college. They wanted to help me as much as possible, but they didn’t know what I needed to do. So, when I applied, I was very nervous.
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USAFA is one of three US service academies operated by the Department of Defense and is one of the top universities in the country. After graduating from the USAFA, a cadet commissions as a second lieutenant in the Air Force or Space Force and completes a minimum of five years of military service. Admission to USAFA is a highly selective process that measures a candidate’s performance in academics and athletics, as well as character and leadership ability.
Sackey completed his USAFA application in January of his senior year. After two months of waiting for a response, Sackey’s representative received the congressional nomination by phone and let him know that he had been accepted.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Sackey said. “I didn’t think I had what it took to go to the Air Force Academy. It was the first step in my dream of becoming an Air Force pilot because the Academy is the largest producer of pilots.
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During their time at the service academy, cadets are tested in a number of ways and deliberately given heavy workloads to help prepare them to effectively manage the stress of deployment.
“The Academy pushed me in every way possible,” Sackey said. “Whether it’s physical, mental, academic or military, I’ve never been challenged like that before. I’ve always been good at school, but I’ve never been able to balance all of those things.
Sackey received the coveted Air Force pilot slot before graduating from USAFA. After graduating, Sackey went to pilot training, which was the last step toward achieving what he had wanted since he was a sophomore.
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“The biggest struggle of my career was pilot training,” Sackey said. “Pilot training is difficult for everyone, but I think it’s very difficult for me. Throughout my life, my efforts are always equal to what I produce. In pilot training, it’s not like that.
During the second phase of pilot training, Sackey found himself in a bad position. He was told that he had to ride the elimination with his commander. Depending on the outcome of the war, Sackey would either continue training or lose his chance to become an Air Force pilot.
“In that moment and on that flight, all my dreams, the things I’ve worked for my whole life are at stake,” Sackey said. “I’ve given (pilot training) everything, and while I’m nervous and scared, in some ways I’m at peace because I’ve worked hard. In the end, I passed because I’m here, and I think I’m a better pilot. I feel like a better person for having gone through this.”
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After completing pilot training, Sackey went on his first operational assignment at MacDill to fly the KC-135.
“My time at MacDill was more than I expected,” Sackey said. “The 50th ARS has become a family to me. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. They have allowed me to grow as an Airman, as an officer and as a person.
Despite having a seemingly full schedule of his daily duties with the 50th ARS, Sackey actively seeks out opportunities and responsibilities that allow him to grow as an Airman. Sackey was recognized as the 6th Air Refueling Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year 2022 for his involvement as director of the 6th Air Refueling Wing’s Aviation Inspiration Mentorship program and his contributions outside of his aviation role.
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The AIM program supports community outreach and engagement by informing and inspiring prospective Air Force pilots through base visits, incentive flights and mentoring sessions. The 6th ARW was the first wing to implement the program in the Air Force.
“Being a part of AIM is the way I want to go,” Sackey said. “From my journey as a pilot, I didn’t have many mentors or the opportunity to experience military aviation. Now that I’m in this position, I have the opportunity to give back. We have a new program where kids who are not connected to the military get the opportunity to flying in military aircraft. That kind of exposure can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”
Kishima Garcia works at MacDill as the 6th ARW’s head of diversity and inclusion. In her role promoting diversity, equity and inclusion on the wing, Garcia has gotten to know Sackey. Coincidentally, Garcia is also from St. Louis.
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“I think it’s important to have a leader in the Air Force like Capt. Sackey because energy is contagious,” Garcia said. “He had a strong spirit that said, ‘I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.’ I think he’s a great influence that can bring other people with his authenticity.”
Sackey continues to be an exemplary Airman and an example of what can be accomplished through determination and resilience. Despite being part of a male-dominated career field, Sackey has illustrated that women can make a significant impact as aviators.
“Being a woman in the military and in the aviation sector, for me, means being an inspiration,” Sackey said. “I remember growing up as a pilot, thinking I couldn’t do it because I hadn’t seen many women doing it. I hadn’t seen many people of color doing it. In my position now, I think about being an example to girls who might have the same desire with me.” Anna Yackshaw, CRJ SkyWest’s first officer, was born into an aviation family. Often engaged in imaginary flights with his grandfather, a Corsair pilot, his decision to fly professionally was made long before he reached his own conclusions. It wasn’t until after a visit to the University of Dubuque during high school that Anna knew her childhood imagination would become so much more. He attended flight school and eventually found himself in a proper seat on the flight deck, flying for SkyWest.
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Growing up, I was very fortunate to spend a lot of my childhood with my grandparents. My grandfather and I were truly inseparable. He was a Corsair pilot and mechanic for the Navy during World War II and continued to fly recreationally after the war ended. I love hearing all the flying stories, and we go on our own ‘imaginary flights’ almost every day. Little did I know that this pretend game represented my career down the road.
After taking countless career assessment tests in high school and not being very happy with the results, I went to a college friend of mine to see if she had any advice. Although he was helpful, it was his college, the University of Dubuque, that led me to my answer. Dubuque has its own flight school. I talked to some friends who were in the program and they were the same
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