General News of Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

‘Flutter until you fly’: Ghanaian pilot who flew world's largest passenger aircraft documents life story

Captain Solomon Quainoo Captain Solomon Quainoo

Captain Solomon Quainoo, the Ghanaian pilot who made history by flying the world's largest passenger aircraft, the A380, to Kotoka International Airport has unveiled his latest memoir titled "Flutter Until You Fly."

This revealing book which was launched at the Accra International Conference Center on April 30, 2024, comprised of 17 compelling chapters, chronicling the remarkable journey of Captain Quainoo from humble beginnings to a globally-acclaimed pilot.

At the heart of his narrative lies a message of hope and resilience, aimed at inspiring fellow Ghanaians to overcome adversities and pursue their dreams against all odds.

Captain Quainoo expressed his desire to instil optimism within his community, emphasizing that regardless of the challenges one faces, success is attainable through perseverance and determination.

“There are a lot of you in Ghana and other places who don’t have any hope, they look at their surroundings and think it is not possible.

“And having started from a very humble beginning, I went through the hurdles and managed to achieve it, I want to show them that it is possible. It is possible to dream, it is possible to have a dream and have a target and it is possible to achieve it,” he said.

Reflecting on his childhood aspirations, Captain Quainoo recalled how, at the tender age of six, he declared his ambition to become a pilot despite scepticism from peers.

In "Flutter Until You Fly," Captain Solomon Quainoo shares the challenges he encountered, including academic setbacks and the necessity to work gruelling 17-hour days in various manual labour roles.

From couch surfing to selling street food, his journey exemplifies the resilience and determination that propelled him to the pinnacle of aviation success.

Through the launch of his book, he seeks to establish a platform for supporting underprivileged individuals in society, channelling proceeds toward his foundation, (Captain Solomon Quainoo Foundation) which aims to provide opportunities for talented yet needy individuals.

“The other reason for writing the book is inspiring the youth and getting them to dream is not enough but to help them and empower them to get to where they have to go,” he added.