Kamora Freeland Takes Flight: The 17-Year-Old Who Earned Her Pilot’s License Before Her Driver’s License

She’s soaring to new heights — literally.

At just 17 years old, Kamora Freeland has become the youngest licensed pilot in New York State and one of the youngest in U.S. history, a groundbreaking milestone that’s inspiring a new generation of young aviators. What makes her story even more extraordinary is that she learned to fly a plane before she even had a driver’s license (The New York Post).

On February 26, Kamora officially earned her Private Pilot License (PPL), granting her the ability to command a single-engine aircraft carrying up to 12 passengers. Remarkably, she obtained her driver’s license the very next day — a testament to her determination and focus. Her historic achievement was honored at the New York State Capitol in Albany, where Assemblyman Charles Fall and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton presented her with a Proclamation of Achievement recognizing her contribution to aviation and youth empowerment.

Kamora, a senior at Kingsborough Early College Secondary School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, never imagined herself in the cockpit. “I never wanted to be a pilot,” she admitted with a laugh. “But after my first flight, I was like, ‘Wow! I could do this for a living.’”

Her journey began unexpectedly in 2019, when her mother, Lakema Freeland, discovered the United Youth Aviators (UYA) program — a community initiative founded by NYPD Officers Milton Davis and Clet Titus to introduce aviation to teens aged 13 to 18 under the guidance of FAA-certified instructors. The program aims to make aviation accessible to underrepresented youth, particularly young Black students, who are historically excluded from the field.

Although Kamora initially had no interest in flying, her mother believed in her potential and secretly placed her on the UYA waitlist. For nearly two years, Lakema followed up every few months until Kamora was finally accepted in 2021 at the age of 15.

“What I admire most about Kamora is her discipline and ability to learn from her mistakes,” said Officer Titus. “She’s composed, focused, and always ready to improve.”

Over 18 months of intense training at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Long Island, Kamora learned not only the mechanics of flight but also aircraft maintenance, meteorology, and navigation. She trained extensively in both a Cessna 172 G1000 and a Piper Warrior II, mastering the art of takeoff, landing, and in-flight decision-making.

“She takes flying seriously,” said Davis. “Her intelligence, discipline, and maturity are light-years ahead of her age. She’s the kind of pilot any parent would want their child to fly with.”

Her accomplishment is even more striking considering how rare young licensed pilots are. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, fewer than 4% of licensed pilots in the U.S. are between 16 and 19 years old. The gender gap is even starker — women represent just 5% of all certified airline pilots, while Black women account for less than 1% (CNN).

Despite those odds, Kamora has already flown solo across state lines. Her proudest moment came during a nearly two-hour cross-country solo flight, where she took off and landed at three different airports in a single trip — a crucial milestone for every pilot.

Aviation experts note that Kamora joins a small but growing list of young Black pioneers reshaping the field. Figures like Ryan Garner, who earned his pilot’s license at 18 in North Carolina, and Christopher Ballinger, one of Baltimore’s youngest Black aviators, have paved the way for a new generation to take flight (Smithsonian Magazine).

Looking ahead, Kamora’s ambitions extend beyond the runway. This fall, she’ll begin her studies at Spelman College in Atlanta on a full presidential scholarship, majoring in economics. While her academic path may not directly involve aviation, she hopes to one day combine her love of flying with business — perhaps leading initiatives that expand access to STEM and aviation programs for minority youth.

“I want people my age, especially young Black girls, to know that nothing is impossible,” Kamora said. “You can literally break through any barrier if you stay focused.”

Her mother, Lakema, couldn’t be prouder. “Watching her fly that plane was surreal,” she shared. “I knew she had the courage to do something different — something historic.”

With a dream as limitless as the skies she flies through, Kamora Freeland is proving that the future of aviation is not only diverse but also incredibly bright. As Officer Davis put it, “The sky isn’t her limit — it’s just her starting point.”