MEET KIMBERLY ANYADIKE THE NIGERIAN WHO HOLDS THE RECORD AS THE YOUNGEST PILOT TO FLY CROSS-COUNTRY

21 year old Nigerian-American, Kimberly Anyadike is a pilot who holds the record as the first African American teen to fly across the United States. She performed this feat at the neophyte age of 15 in 2009. Anyadike learned to fly at age 12 through the Compton-based Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum [TAM], which offers aviation lessons in an after-school program for disadvantaged youths. The Organisation also encourages youth involvement in aviation as an alternative to drugs, gang violence and other self-destructive activities.

Anyadike was inspired by the stories of great pilots like Bessie Coleman, the first African-American airline Pilot, and Mae Jemison, the first African American female to travel in space. So great was her passion that she paid for her flight lessons by working many regular jobs and odd jobs while still maintaining an excellent academic scorecard which was a prerequisite to remain in the program.

Anyadike single-handedly flew from Compton, California to Newport News, Virginia without serious technical support. It took her 13 days to complete the flight and the miles flown were 2,342. The plane used was a Cessna C-172. She was accompanied by safety Pilot Ronnell Norman, a certified commercial Pilot and Major Levi H. Thornhill, a retired U.S. Air Force Pilot who at age 87 is a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen who served during World War II.

Concerning her cross country trip, Anyadike stated; “Flying over Texas was the most fun because there were a lot of summer rainstorms. I wasn’t scared—I’m never scared. I just focus. And before every flight, I pray.” She also desires that her accomplishments would inspire other young people and affirm that the sky is no longer the limit!