Delante Sykes, who has wanted to be a pilot since he was two years old, has realized his childhood ambition after 11 years of study. His proud father is celebrating his son’s success.
“Proud Dad Moment Alert. My son was selected in the 1st round of the airline draft by American Airlines. He was drafted as a First Officer,” Delante’s father Valentino Sykes posted on his Facebook page.
Delante has truly demonstrated his determination by working hard to pursue his passion. After graduating from Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, North Carolina in 2017, he immediately enrolled at the University of North Dakota to study Aviation.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management with a 3.73 GPA in 2020. He trained as a pilot at the University of North Dakota for nearly two years before becoming a Stage Check Pilot.
Delante met all of the requirements and was eventually selected by American Airlines in the first round of the airline draft. Delante also posted his accomplishment on LinkedIn.
“After 11 years of prayer, planning, & perseverance, my dreams have become my reality. Let me reintroduce myself: F.O. Delante’ “The Durag Pilot” Sykes,” he wrote along with his pictures during his childhood years trying to fly a plane.