The roar of aircraft overhead has captivated Krith Kaartik Reddy for as long as he can remember.
While many children looked to the skies in passing, he looked with purpose, wondering how machines weighing hundreds of tonnes could leave the ground.
Today, that childhood fascination has become the foundation of his future.
The 20-year-old from Saweni, Lautoka, is pursuing a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical) at the Fiji National University’s Pacific Centre for Aviation Studies (PCAS) in Nadi, determined to one day help keep aircraft safely in the skies.
His journey, however, did not follow the timeline he had imagined.
After graduating from Pandit Vishnu Deo Memorial College in 2024 as Student of the Year, Mr Reddy missed the application deadline for his dream program.
While he received offers to study other courses, including civil engineering, he made the difficult decision to wait another year rather than abandon his ambition.
“That year became one of the most valuable chapters of my life,” he said.
“It taught me resilience, patience, discipline and the importance of trusting the process.”
The gap year also reaffirmed something he had known since childhood – aviation was never just an interest.
“My passion has never changed. Ever since I looked up at an aircraft as a child, I knew aviation was where I belonged.”
One memory remains etched in his mind. In 2011, he watched the “Queen of the Skies”, the Boeing 747-400, at Nadi International Airport.
“I found myself wondering how something so massive could fly. As I grew older, that curiosity evolved into a passion for understanding the engineering behind every flight.”
Now immersed in his studies, Mr Reddy says every lecture strengthens his commitment to the profession.
“For me, aircraft maintenance engineering is more than repairing aircraft. It is about ensuring every aircraft leaves the ground safely.”
He credits his parents, Munesh Reddy and Punam Nair, together with his lecturers at FNU, for encouraging him to pursue his goals and continually challenge himself.
His long-term ambition is to become a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer working on commercial aircraft, earning a reputation for precision, professionalism and reliability.
Looking back, Mr Reddy believes missing one deadline never meant missing his future.
“Your timeline does not define your potential.
“Stay disciplined, trust the process and remember that your comeback will always be stronger than your setback if you refuse to quit.”
