From childhood cockpit visits to pursuing their pilot licences side by side, Johannesburg sisters Lelo and Lela Mulenga are proving that sometimes the best journeys are the ones you never saw coming.
For most people, the idea of becoming a pilot starts with a childhood fascination with aircraft, a love for travelling or perhaps a lifelong dream of seeing the world from above. For sisters Lelo and Lela Mulenga, however, aviation was always somewhere in the background of their childhood, but becoming pilots was never part of the original plan.
Today, the Johannesburg-born sisters are pursuing their Private Pilot Licences (PPLs), balancing university studies with flight training and documenting their experiences through their growing digital platform, Aviator Sisters (@flywithlelaxlelo).
Their story is one of sisterhood, unexpected career turns and the courage to explore possibilities beyond the dreams they once had for themselves.
A childhood connection to aviation
Growing up, aviation was not entirely unfamiliar territory for the Mulenga sisters. Their father worked for an airline, which meant that flying was part of their childhood experiences. They often travelled with him and occasionally had the opportunity to visit the cockpit, offering them an early glimpse into the world of aviation.
Yet, despite this exposure, their ambitions pointed in completely different directions.
Lela dreamed of becoming an astronaut, travelling to space and working for NASA, while Lelo imagined herself pursuing a career in medicine. Neither sister initially envisioned a future in the cockpit, let alone one they would pursue together.
That changed in 2025 when Lela decided to take the first step towards obtaining her Private Pilot Licence. What began as an individual pursuit quickly developed into a genuine passion for flying.
Watching her sister take to the skies sparked something in Lelo, who eventually decided to explore aviation herself. Having initially planned to move to Cape Town for university, her journey took an unexpected turn when she remained in Johannesburg, creating an opportunity to pursue flight training alongside her sister.
What started as one sister’s dream soon became a shared adventure.
Learning to fly, one milestone at a time
Both sisters are currently training at SkyHawk Aviation in Johannesburg, working towards their Private Pilot Licences. Interestingly, they fly different aircraft, with Lelo training in a Sling 2 and Lela in a Cessna 172.
Their training involves far more than simply getting behind the controls of an aircraft. From ground school and theoretical examinations to instructor briefings and practical flying lessons, the process demands discipline, technical knowledge and a strong commitment to learning.
They are developing their understanding of aircraft handling, navigation, meteorology, aviation regulations and radio communication, all essential components of becoming competent and responsible pilots.
While they are pursuing the same qualification, their journeys are unfolding at different paces. Lela has already achieved her first solo flight, while Lelo is working towards hers and concentrating on her theory examinations.
For Lela, her first solo flight remains one of the most unforgettable moments of her journey. The opportunity came unexpectedly when her instructor gave her the green light to fly alone. With her heart racing, the experience became a powerful reminder of just how much she had learnt and how far she had progressed.
For Lelo, getting into the Sling aircraft was a defining moment. Although she did not initially develop the same immediate connection to aviation as her sister, that experience helped everything fall into place.
Their different experiences highlight an important lesson: discovering your passion does not always happen at the same time or in the same way.
The realities behind the dream
While the idea of becoming a pilot may seem glamorous, the sisters are quick to acknowledge that the journey comes with its fair share of challenges.
One of the biggest considerations is the financial commitment. Flight training is expensive and requires careful planning, particularly when combined with the demands of university studies.
For the sisters, managing the costs has meant progressing according to the finances available to them rather than rushing through training. They have learnt to be realistic about what they can afford at different stages and to appreciate that everyone’s journey will look different.
Beyond the financial demands, balancing lectures, examinations, flight training, friendships, family responsibilities and personal time requires patience and careful time management.
It is a journey that has taught them resilience and the importance of celebrating progress, even when it happens more slowly than anticipated.
They also recognise the importance of representation in an industry that is often perceived as male-dominated.
For them, one of the biggest barriers facing young women is not necessarily a lack of ability, but the limited visibility of women pursuing careers in aviation. Sometimes, seeing someone who looks like you doing something you once thought was out of reach is enough to make you reconsider what is possible.
Through their own experiences, they hope to challenge the perception that aviation is not a career for women and encourage more young South Africans to explore opportunities within the industry.
Sisterhood at cruising altitude
Pursuing a demanding career alongside a sibling might sound like the perfect arrangement, but Lelo and Lela are refreshingly honest about the realities of being sisters.
They have different personalities, interests and approaches to things, and, like most siblings, they do not always agree.
However, when it matters most, they show up for one another.
Aviation has added another dimension to their relationship. They now share an understanding of the pressures of flight training, the excitement of achieving milestones and the occasional frustrations that come with learning something new.
They have also learnt that progress does not need to happen simultaneously. One sister reaching a milestone before the other does not diminish the other’s achievements or make their individual journeys any less meaningful.
Having someone beside you who understands the experience makes all the difference.
And perhaps that is what makes their story particularly special: they are not only working towards individual ambitions but building memories and pursuing a family legacy together.
Taking their journey beyond the cockpit
The Aviator Sisters platform was born out of a desire to document the sisters’ experiences and give others an honest glimpse into the process of becoming a pilot.
It initially started as Lela’s TikTok account, Flywithlela, where she shared content about her flying journey. After watching one of her videos, Lelo suggested that they turn it into something they could share as sisters.
The idea developed into Flywithlelaxlelo, with Lela editing their first videos and the two beginning to document their journey together.
Their content captures the exciting milestones as well as the learning curves, challenges and realities of flight training.
More importantly, they want to make aviation feel accessible to people who may never have considered it as a career option.
The response has been encouraging, with young girls reaching out to express their interest in aviation, share how the sisters have inspired them and ask for advice on getting started.
For Lelo and Lela, these messages are particularly rewarding. They are still learning and working towards their own licences, yet their experiences are already helping others imagine a different future for themselves.
They hope to grow Aviator Sisters beyond TikTok, collaborating with brands and aviation organisations, building a community around women in aviation and encouraging more young girls to consider taking to the skies.
A future with no limits
Looking ahead, the sisters hope to have made significant progress in their aviation careers over the next five years, moving beyond their Private Pilot Licences towards their Commercial Pilot Licences and eventually qualifying as airline pilots.
One of their biggest shared ambitions is to work for the same airline one day. As two people who enjoy travelling, discovering different cultures and exploring new destinations, combining those interests with their professional careers would be a dream come true.
They also hope to continue growing individually while building Aviator Sisters into a platform that creates opportunities, inspires young women and contributes to greater visibility for women in aviation.
For anyone considering a career in aviation but unsure where to begin, their advice is simple: do not allow fear to prevent you from taking the first step.
Research flight schools, ask questions, understand the requirements, speak to people already working in the industry and be realistic about the financial commitment. Most importantly, give yourself permission to explore something new.
The sisters also challenge the idea that becoming a pilot must be a childhood dream. Their own experiences prove that ambitions can evolve, unexpected opportunities can emerge and changing direction does not mean abandoning your potential.
If there is one thing they wish they had known before starting, it is just how much patience and resilience the journey would require. Behind every exciting flying moment are hours of studying, preparation and persistence.
From two girls with very different childhood ambitions to two sisters sharing the skies, Lelo and Lela Mulenga are writing a story that is uniquely their own.
And while their journey is still unfolding, one thing is certain: they are only just getting started.
Follow their journey: TikTok and social media: @flywithlelaxlelo
