On April 18, 2025, 20-year-old Kofi Opoku Agyei achieved a milestone few can boast of at such a young age, he earned his Commercial Pilot License from the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming one of the youngest Ghanaians to do so.
Kofi’s aviation journey began in 2023, when he left Ghana to pursue his dream in the United States. With zero prior flight experience, he enrolled at Epic Flight Academy and embarked on a rigorous path of training, theory, and airborne practice.
At just 19 years old, he completed his first solo flight, a defining moment that made him “feel like an actual pilot.” Reflecting on the experience, Kofi shared, “I did three take-offs and landings all by myself. That was the day I earned my wings.”
Since then, Kofi has completed two solo cross-country flights, each exceeding 50 nautical miles. One notable flight took him from New Smyrna Beach Airport (KEVB) to Ocala International Airport, Gainesville Regional Airport, and back, covering a total of 200 nautical miles.
Born and raised in Akropong-Akuapem, Kofi’s rise is not just about aviation, it’s about vision, faith, and resilience.
“Ever since I was a child, I didn’t know what I wanted to become. I had an interest in daring and intense jobs, but I wasn’t sure what path to take,” he said.
It wasn’t until his final year of Senior High School that he felt a “purposeful call from God” to pursue aviation.
Supported by his family, especially his sister, Kofi began training in September 2023. In just four months, he completed his first solo, then earned his Private Pilot License, followed by Instrument and Commercial certifications.
His journey was not without fear.
“On my very first flight, I was scared and nauseous. I know that’s the last thing you want to hear from a pilot,” he laughed. “But my instructor, Kyle Sears, believed in me and reminded me that even great aviators were once scared.”
Flying solo, he said, gave him a sense of freedom and confidence, “It was nerve-wracking, but also one of the most liberating experiences of my life.”
Kofi’s dream doesn’t end with his license. He aspires to work with top-tier airlines like Delta, United, and Emirates. But more importantly, he hopes to return home one day to establish a flight academy in Ghana, to invest in the next generation of dreamers.
“No matter where you find yourself in the world, it’s important to give back, either with your expertise or your resources,” he emphasised.
“I want people from humble backgrounds to look at my story and know that with God, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible.”
Source: Paulina Dedaa Opoku Agyekum, Contributor
