Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla Wilson.
Kyla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From Single Mom to Sky Commander: How God, Grit, and a Jaw-Dropping Question Launched Me into the Cockpit
Picture this: I’m a college student juggling two full-time loads—Kennesaw State and Georgia Tech, for Air force ROTC and engineering—while working a demanding full-time Engineering job. On top of that, I’m a single mom to my young son, scraping together every penny to keep food on the table and a solid roof over his head. Sleep? A luxury. Downtime? Non-existent. My days blurred into a relentless grind of lectures, lab reports, shifts at work, and Saturday Youth football games. But I was determined— to build a better life for us.
Little did I know, God had a wild detour planned, one that would shatter my carefully laid engineering path and catapult me into the skies.
It all started with a forgotten volunteer gig. I’d signed up months earlier to help at an upcoming airshow in Atlanta, but life got in the way—I completely spaced on it. Around the same time, I was itching for a quick escape and tried booking a trip to Puerto Rico. Flights fell through, plans crumbled. Thank God they did. That “failed” getaway cleared the exact weekend I needed.
Meanwhile, I was deep in Air Force ROTC, eyeing commissioning as an officer. One afternoon, my Lieutenant Colonel pulls me aside for a chat about my post-commissioning family plan. He’s mapping out my future, and naturally, with my airline engineering experience, I figure that’s my lane: tinkering with planes on the ground, solving complex systems, steady and secure.
Then he drops the bomb: “What about becoming a pilot?”
My jaw hits the floor. Literally. “What about a what?” I stammer, my brain short-circuiting. A pilot? For the Air Force? I’m scanning my mental Rolodex for any image of a Black female pilot. Crickets. I’d never seen one, never met one, never even dreamed of one, not in movies. Not in real life. And certainly not in my family. In my world, pilots were tall white males not brown girls like me so I thought.
But here’s where the spark ignites: I’m a certified speed and adrenaline junkie. Fast Motorcycles and Jet-skis? Check. Roller coasters that flip you upside down? Sign me up. The idea of strapping into a cockpit, commanding thousands of pounds of metal at Mach speeds, dodging clouds and defying gravity? It wasn’t just a job—it was a challenge. A thrill. A divine dare. I thought, Why not me? If God was ordaining my steps, this had to be one of them. Obedience kicked in, and I said yes to the unknown.
Research mode: activated. I landed a gig as office manager for a local flying club right here in Atlanta, Georgia. That positioned me perfectly for my “Discovery Flight”—you know, that introductory hands-on session where curious folks get a taste of piloting. Normally, it’s a quick 35-40 minute loop around your home airport: pre-flight checks, then you grab the controls under a certified instructor’s watchful eye. A teaser for the real deal.
Mine? Epic upgrade. We blasted off to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport—out of state, baby!—and stayed airborne way longer than the standard spin. The rush of takeoff, the hum of the engine, the world shrinking below me… and don’t even get me started on the free snacks at the FBO (Fixed Base Operator). Those gourmet treats sealed the deal. I was locked in, hooked like a fish on a line.
That same weekend, I finally made it to the airshow I’d forgotten about. Volunteering turned into destiny. There, roaring across the sky in a display of raw power, was a woman piloting an F-35 Lightning II. Sleek, stealthy, unstoppable. A female force commanding one of the most advanced fighters on the planet. My heart exploded. That’s it. That’s me someday. No more doubts.
I wasn’t that little girl dreaming of wings. No backyard airplane models, no family hangar stories. Aviation took off into my life like a meteor—unexpected, explosive, transformative. From single mom survival mode to soaring with the eagles, this journey taught me: Let God “Take the controls”. Embrace the challenges that scare you. And when opportunity knocks with a jet engine roar, grip the yoke and fly.
Today, as a pilot, I look back and grin. What started as a “no” to Puerto Rico became a resounding “yes” to the skies. If I can do it—you, grinding through your own chaos—absolutely can too.
But God doesn’t consult your five-year plan. I never set out to shatter ceilings—let alone the sound barrier. Yet in that moment, it hit me: First doesn’t mean impossible.
I’m not just going to be a pilot—I’m going to be one of the world’s greatest aerobatic pilots, defying gravity with joy, mastering flips and inverted flight, and dominating every competition in my path.I will become a Flying Diamond, a radiant gem in the skies, forever elevating the legacy of women in aviation.
My mission: by the end of next year, get as many women as possible into the cockpit for their first discovery flight—to ignite their passion, reveal the exhilaration of flight, and unveil aviation’s true magic. And to create as many beautiful valuable Flying Diamonds that aviation can stand.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all. As a single mom starting out, I was juggling multiple jobs, studying, a packed flight schedule, and my son’s sports commitments—trying to keep my head above water while chasing this dream. I refused to let it derail his life or dreams, so I put on my big-girl panties and figured it out.
Early on, every room I entered made me the only woman—or the double whammy, the only Black woman. The stares felt designed to scream you don’t belong. My first flight instructor tried to break me: with just 2 hours under my belt, he took me up at night, pulled the power, and demanded a power-off stall recovery. It terrified me; I spent the next 10 hours glued to the attitude indicator, haunted by the bank.
Finding a good instructor was another brutal struggle—most were just clocking hours to build time for the airlines, caring more about their own ticket out than actually teaching. They wanted to rush through students to get where they were trying to go.
Then came the outright racism—a bitter man who looked me in the eye and said my skin color meant I’d editorial make it, that I wasn’t smart enough, and I should return his books. Money was another gut punch; flying is brutally expensive, especially as a single-parent minority.
None of it stopped me. I kept pushing, found ways to make it work, and was blessed early on by Lt. Kenny Thomas—an incredible instructor with a heart for teaching over profit. I’ll always look up to him
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Flying Diamonds?
The Flying Diamonds: Soaring Beyond Limits – the business and why we are different
In the exhilarating world of aviation, where the sky is both canvas and challenge, emerges The Flying Diamonds—a visionary enterprise founded by the trailblazing original “Flying Diamond,” Kyla Wilson an upcoming airshow performer on a meteoric rise to becoming one of the world’s elite pilots. With divine grace and unyielding determination, she charts a course not just for her own ascent, but to illuminate the path for women everywhere who dream of commanding the cockpit. This isn’t merely about flight; it’s a movement to empower female aviators to shatter ceilings and dominate the skies, whether in heart-pounding aerobatic displays, sleek airline operations, luxurious Gulfstreams and Citation jets, or even piloting historic warbirds.
At its core, The Flying Diamonds transcends traditional aviation training. We’re crafting a sanctuary—a dynamic space dedicated to honing female pilots into their absolute finest selves. Here, excellence isn’t optional; it’s the standard. We equip aspiring aviators not only with the technical mastery to navigate any aircraft, but with the resilience to conquer life’s fiercest storms. What truly elevates us? Our holistic approach: we prepare you for the cockpit and the chaos beyond, forging unbreakable spirits amid the pressures of pursuit and perseverance.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re in the midst of constructing a state-of-the-art training academy, a cutting-edge hub designed to revolutionize how women learn to fly. This premier facility will blend advanced simulators, expert mentorship, and immersive programs to accelerate journeys from novice to ace. To bring this vision to life and expand our impact, we’re actively seeking sponsorships, partnerships, and fundraising support from visionary allies who share our passion for elevating women in aviation. Your involvement could propel the next wave of trailblazers skyward—and there’s so much more on the horizon, from global events to innovative tech integrations that will redefine the industry.
The name The Flying Diamonds is no coincidence—it’s a profound metaphor drawn from nature’s most resilient masterpiece. Diamonds are born in the depths, subjected to unimaginable pressure, unearthed from obscurity, and meticulously refined into gems of unparalleled brilliance and value. Each one boasts a unique cut, a singular sparkle that sets it apart. So too do our pilots: women of diverse backgrounds, each emerging stronger, more radiant, and irreplaceably extraordinary. We embody “a cut above the rest,” upholding the highest standards of precision, poise, and professionalism. Under our guidance, raw potential transforms into polished prowess, ready to dazzle the world.
Elegant, high-class, and unequivocally serious about success, The Flying Diamonds brand evokes an aura of disciplined grace and crystal-clear purpose. When you hear our name, envision the epitome of hard work, unwavering focus, and self-assured identity—the kind that earns you a seat in the cockpit not by chance, but by choice and conquest. We’re thrilled to polish the next generation of gems, inviting women with wings in their hearts to join us, refine their edge, and soar as Flying Diamonds. Together, we’ll redefine the horizons of aviation, one unbreakable spirit at a time.
My mission: by the end of next year, get as many women as possible into the cockpit for their first discovery flight—to ignite their passion, reveal the exhilaration of flight, and unveil aviation’s true magic. And to create as many beautiful, valuable Flying Diamonds that aviation can stand. In pursuit of my dreams, it’s our mission to seek sponsorships, scholarships, and donations to reach unimaginable heights—plus bring 500 other ladies with me on this transformative journey
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Imagine this: the simple act of choosing to start—of leaping into the unknown—has the power to reshape your entire world, propelling you from grounded dreams to soaring realities. This is the first unbreakable lesson I’ve uncovered on my path to becoming a pilot: decisions don’t just guide your journey; “Decision Determine Your Destiny”.
Yet, no ascent is instant. Life demand unwavering CONSISTENCY , the kind that transforms grit into glory. It applies to any goal you may have, starting a business, gym goals, family goats. Even on days when motivation wanes and doubts cloud your vision, showing up relentlessly—day after day—builds the unbreakable habits of a true aviator. It’s not a hobby; it’s a lavish lifestyle, one that exacts a high price but rewards with unparalleled freedom and triumph. I had to learn to step into a pilot’s mindset, think like the wind, act with precision, and watch success unfold as naturally as wings catching lift.
But amid the turbulence, FOCUS emerges as your steadfast compass. With a whirlwind of knowledge to absorb—technical intricacies, safety protocols, endless data—clarity of mind is non-negotiable. Pilot training is a jealous lover, devouring your mental space and demanding undivided devotion. Clear the distractions, sharpen your thoughts, and you’ll not only retain the essentials but cultivate cockpit discipline where a single lapse could spell disaster. This laser-like attention isn’t just survival; it’s the art of mastery.
Then comes the thrill of confrontation: staring fear straight in the eye and claiming victory. From trembling to look out the windscreen during any bank to braving howling winds head-on, the remedy is immersion. Fear thrives in the shadows of the unknown, choking ambition if you let it—but you hold the power to shatter it. We only invite fear because we don’t know or we don’t understand something, so the best way to conquer that is to gain knowledge. Operate in that inner strength, and what once paralyzed becomes your greatest pathway. OVERCOMING FEARS
And through it all is the quiet force of patience, a virtue forged in the fires of frustration and delay. Countless flights canceled by whims of weather, endless repetitions in mastering the art of landing—these trials demand endurance, teaching you to embrace the wait without wavering. Patience isn’t passive; it’s the steady hand that turns setbacks into setups for smoother takeoffs, reminding you that true mastery blooms in time, not haste.
Crucial to it all is the unbreakable pillar of SUPPORT FROM THOSE THAT BELIEVE IN YOU—my husband and son, whose encouragement is an unmatched necessity for soaring high. Their presence, rooting for every milestone, fuels the belief in dreams once unimaginable, a far cry from the solitude of my upbringing. This familial wind beneath your wings doesn’t just sustain; it elevates, turning solitary ambition into shared triumph.
Finally, arm yourself with authentic CONFIDENCE—the quiet assurance that commands respect without arrogance. Walk into any room, any cockpit, knowing you belong, and the world bends to your will.
These lessons aren’t mere anecdotes; they’re the blueprint for transcendence. Whether chasing horizons in the sky or navigating life’s vast expanse, embrace them, and you’ll discover: the pilot’s journey isn’t just about flying—it’s about unleashing the extraordinary within. I would ask anyone if they are ready to take the controls?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theflyingdiamonds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflying_diamond/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kyla-Young/100090431276825/
