The Long Climb to the Cockpit: Grit, Faith, and the “Final Boss” of Aviation
By 2Fly Team
If you ask the average traveler how a pilot ends up in the cockpit of a major airline, they might imagine a simple path: you go to school, you learn to fly, you get a job. But those of us in the industry know the truth. The road to the right seat of a commercial airliner isn’t just a career path—it is an odyssey. It is a journey measured not just in flight hours, but in years of relentless pressure, unwavering determination, deep personal sacrifice, and unshakable faith.
To become a major airline pilot, a candidate often faces a timeline of three to five years (or more) of intense training and time-building. It starts with the basics of aerodynamics and weather, moves through the grueling rigor of instrument ratings, and culminates in the precision of commercial maneuvers. But the technical skills are only half the battle. The real test is mental.
It takes missing birthdays and holidays. It takes studying systems manuals until your eyes blur at 2:00 AM. It takes the humility to accept criticism in the briefing room and the resilience to get back in the simulator the next day to do it better. It is a path where “good enough” does not exist; only “standard” and “excellence” survive.
The “Final Boss”
That is exactly the gauntlet that four of our very own—Ashley Moss, Zhero Grant, Jovaun Gillespie, and Sivana Pawar—have been fighting through.
We have watched them grow from wide-eyed cadets into steely professionals. Today, we are proud to announce that they have reached what we affectionately call the “Final Boss” of their airline certification. This is the hardest phase. It is the moment where all the book knowledge, all the solo hours, and all the stress management must come together seamlessly.
They have just been cleared to advance to their next Simulated Flight Test for their airline carriers.
For those outside of aviation, the “Sim” is not a game. It is a multi-million dollar pressure cooker designed to throw every possible emergency at a crew to see if they crumble or conquer. Ashley, Zhero, Jovaun, and Sivana have not crumbled. They have adapted. They have leaned on their faith and their commitment to one another to survive the most rigorous testing standards in the world.
A Look Back
It wasn’t easy to get this far. The picture below captures a moment from when they just started—smiles bright, uniforms crisp, perhaps unaware of the sleepless nights and grueling check-rides that lay ahead. Looking at this photo now, we don’t just see students; we see the seeds of the captains they are becoming.
The Road to 2026
To Ashley, Zhero, Jovaun, and Sivana: You are in the home stretch of this massive chapter. We know the pressure is high right now. We know the sacrifices feel heavy. But you are proving that you are built for the skies.
As you face these next simulated tests and the final hurdles of your certification, know that the entire 2Fly family is standing behind you. We are cheering for your precision, your safety, and your success.
May 2026 greet you with the best news of your lives—the news that the training is complete, the stripes are earned, and you are officially cleared for takeoff with your major airline. Keep the faith, stay the course, and finish strong.
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
The 2Fly Team
