For Raina, becoming a pilot was a very personal, almost innate desire. Or as she recalls, with an unmistakable joy in her voice, it was a ‘selfish’ wish to fly and see the world – not from a window seat, but directly from the cockpit. Raina started flying in 2021 with Yeti Airlines and inspired many other girls to fly.
Raina also represented Nepal at the 23rd Miss Earth 2023 pageant in Queen Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam. In a conversation with WOW’s Ankita Jain, Raina speaks of the thrill of being a pilot, her love for flying, female representation in the aviation industry and making dreams come true.
First in the family to fly, how did the journey towards becoming a pilot begin? Where did you complete your flying training?
My love for aviation started from a very early age. My father was well aware of my love for aircraft and to fuel my excitement he used to watch documentaries on Discovery Channel and study history books about the World War just to tell me stories about the aircraft that were used during those periods. To pamper me, he even used to gift me aircraft toys whenever he used to travel.
I completed my training from flight schools of South Africa And France.
Any life lessons learnt in this male-dominated field?
One very important lesson I learned is that any male-dominant field teaches you consistency; driving you to be more diligent in what you do, thriving to become the best version of yourself.
Tell us about the female representation in the aviation industry.
There are approximately 700 licence holders and among them, less than 500 are working currently. And sadly, the number of working female pilots is even less than 50.
Was commercial pilot your first choice?
I always dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot but since Nepal does not have any Air Force unit, commercial airline pilot is the closest to my dream job.
You fly planes, but what gives wings to your soul? And what does flying mean to you?
For me, flying is my passion which gives me freedom and strength. And the dreamer in me gives wings to my soul.
How often do you fly and what is the first thing you do when you reach home?
Sometimes flying schedules can be very hectic due to meteorological issues which results in tight flight schedules. However, according to aviation rules and regulations, flight crew can fly 10 hours in a day and 1000 hours per year is the limit, so we fly according to the limitations and rules.
The first thing I do when I am back home after my flight is fill my pilot logbook.
What does your uniform mean to you?
My uniform to me is the responsibility of the passenger I fly for, my pride and my strength.
When not in uniform, what is your style like?
When I am not in uniform, my go-to style is formal causal which is comfortable. Normally I am a sneakers, jeans and a cap girl but I like to pull off casual formals like jumpsuits, trench coats, heels and shades.
Who, according to you, contributed to you being the confident person that you are?
I would say, my mother. She is calm and poised in many avatars. And in my process of becoming who I am today, I would like to give the credit to her. She has always been there to guide me in any situation that life has to throw and give me confidence in every step of
my life.
How do you keep calm in high-stress situations?
As a pilot, we are trained to tackle high-stress situations calmly and thoroughly so in general day-to-day life I think my profession has contributed in that aspect as well. In case, nothing works a good movie or watching a mesmerising sunset definitely helps to calm my nerves down.
If you could pick anyone in the world, who would you like to be your co-pilot?
I would like Angelina Jolie to be my co-pilot since she has a pilot licence; this just reminded me of a song called “girls just want to have fun”! (laughs)
Which is your favourite airport in the world? Which is your favourite destination to fly to?
Singapore Changi Airport, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, features Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a lush indoor forest, Shiseido Forest Valley and Canopy Park. It is a harmonious blend of nature, architecture and machines that creates a surreal, almost magical atmosphere.
My favourite destination to fly to would be Iceland. I want to see the Northern Lights (one on my bucket list).
If a movie is to be made about your life, who would you like to see play you on screen?
Alicia Vikander
Was participating in Miss Nepal always your dream?
No, it wasn’t. But it was one of the things I wanted to try in my life, and with determination and fate, it happened to come true.
As a person, you keep exploring your potential and building your strength. What is your goal for this year?
My goal is simple. To be more diligent, disciplined and ace in whatever I put my heart and mind into. This year, I will be focusing in my flying career since I took a break from it for my pageantry journey.
You share a love-hate relationship with the glamour world. Tell us about that.
Entering the world of media, cameras, glitz, glamour, stages, and pageantry from a background in aviation feels like embarking on an uncharted flight. In aviation, there’s a structured environment, precise protocols, and a focus on safety and efficiency. However, transitioning to the glamorous world of entertainment requires navigating through unfamiliar territory, where spontaneity, creativity, and self-expression take precedence. It’s like flying into uncharted skies, where each moment presents new challenges and opportunities for growth. While it may feel daunting at times, pushing oneself out of the comfort zone is a testament to personal courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Despite the contrasts between these two worlds, the journey to reconcile them is a thrilling adventure marked by learning, adaptation, and the pursuit of excellence in both realms.
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