ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Today is following a group of Golden Flashes throughout the 2025-26 academic year, chronicling their experiences as they participate in distinctive programs, research and campus activities.
As winter snow blankets Northeast Ohio, Ashanti Mallit faces one of the most challenging aspects of flight training here – unpredictable weather.
"There's snow on the runway, so you can't take off. If there's no snow on the runway, the clouds are too low," said Mallit, a junior professional pilot major in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. "And if the clouds are too low, there's the issue of icing. So, you can't fly with ice on your wings in these aircraft. If it's not icing, it's the wind. If it's not the wind, it is actively snowing and you can't fly."
Despite these challenges, the 20-year-old Chicago native remains focused on her immediate goal, earning her instrument rating. She's one review flight away from completing the practical portion of her instrument check ride, having already passed the oral examination.
"The main thing is just perseverance," Mallit said. "You show up, even if you think it's not a flyable day, show up anyway and you never know what's happened before."
Building Knowledge, Focusing on Safety
Mallit's spring semester reflects her commitment to becoming a well-rounded pilot. She's enrolled in Upset Recovery, a course she describes as her "most exciting class."
The course goes beyond the basic maneuvers required for a private pilot's license, teaching students to recognize and recover from dangerous flight situations. Students learn advanced techniques and even earn a tailwheel endorsement, flying conventional gear aircraft where the back of the plane sits lower to the ground.
"It makes you a more well-rounded pilot and more safety focused," Mallit explained.
She's also taking Aviation Law, which has exceeded her expectations. "I thought law would just be like, oh, here's this regulation, here's what not," she said. "But it's been very educational thus far."
Last semester, Mallit completed Physics 2, microeconomics and Flight Dynamics, along with German Conversation as part of her German minor.
A Passion for Language and Culture
Mallit has been studying German since eighth grade, initially choosing it because she thought it would be easier than Spanish. What started as a practical decision has evolved into genuine appreciation for the culture.
"I have an admiration for the culture now that I understand more about it and the history," said Mallit, who is taking German Civilization this semester, a course taught entirely in German.
She intends to work for an airline that offers international destinations and has researched the possibility of flying for a German airline, though she acknowledges the process for foreign pilots is complicated.
"Either to fly there with an airline or if not, I'll just keep learning the language," she said. "You'd be surprised how often you run into the German language once you become aware of it in the U.S."
Looking Toward the Future
Mallit's goals this semester center on being the best pilot she can be. She's inspired by older pilots who continuously seek knowledge in their free time.
"I want to be the instructor you go to or like, oh, here's this random piece of niche knowledge," she said. "I just want to be a good pilot. That's my sole focus."
She's also committed to maintaining her health, recognizing it's essential for a long aviation career. "A lot of pilots may get off of 12-hour long haul flights, but they'll still go to the gym and then go to bed because they know that their health is what keeps them in the cockpit," Mallit said. "I want to make sure I can go through my full retirement at 65."
With her instrument rating within reach and her sights set on eventually flying for United Airlines through the United Aviate Program, Mallit continues to navigate the challenges of flight training with determination and passion.
"It's what I live for. It's what I breathe for. It's my entire career," she said. "That's why I'm here."
For more information about the College of Aeronautics and Engineering go to
Find more about the United Aviate Program.