While most teens were learning how to drive, he was soaring above the clouds.

Sophomore Abhineil Gotur’s passion for aviation began at six years old after viewing a cockpit in London for the first time.

“I have been fascinated by airplanes for most of my life,” Gotur said. “[For my birthday in seventh grade], my parents bought me a flight simulator control. Words could not describe how happy I was at that moment.”

In awe of how realistic the flight simulator was, Gotur was certain that he wanted aviation to be his career. But the flight simulator was only the beginning for him. His dreams started becoming a reality once he met Ben, a Southwest pilot introduced to him by his mom at a party.

“I was happy to find someone to have a conversation with about planes without it sounding weird to everyone else around me,” Gotur said. “Ben offered to take me to a Southwest Airlines Plane Hangar at Hobby Airport [and after], said he could get me a Cessna [a small brand airplane] for a test flight.”

From the moment Gotur took off successfully in the air, he felt a sense of freedom and connection to the sky.

“Aviation represents freedom, exploration and a way to connect with the vastness of the world,” Gotur said. “Every flight feels like a fresh start. I really am grateful for what Ben provided me with, and I am beyond grateful that my mom dragged me to that party.”

After his first flight, Gotur realized he wanted to combine his passion of aviation and photography together, starting to take more aviation pictures.

“I want my aviation photos to convey my passion for flying and inspire others to appreciate the beauty and significance of aviation,” Gotur said. “Some people might think it’s an unusual interest, but I hope to show how fascinating and vital aviation is.”

After watching his friends take interest in photography, Gotur saw an opportunity to pursue his passion for it more seriously, having previously done photography only seven times a year when traveling.

“I enjoy landscape photography the most,” Gotur said. “It’s amazing to capture the beauty of nature and God’s creation – mountains, deserts, coastlines, aviation and appreciating the wonders of the world.”

Wanting to photograph one of the “world’s most scenic locations,” Gotur hopes to return to the California coastline to capture its beauty from a bird’s-eye view in a plane.

“The first time I went to a beach was on the California coast, and that memory has stayed with me,” Gotur said.

While photography is his passion, it’s also a big learning curve.

“It’s more than just clicking a button and [having] a photo you’re satisfied with,” Gotur said. “Even though clicking the button does most of the work, [you have to consider other factors like] the correct setting, position and lens for the appropriate situation.”

Sophomore Aayush Khadse, Gotur’s close friend, noticed his love for photography and aviation.

“I’ve known him for eight years,” Khadse said. “Abhineil, for as long as I’ve known him, has loved planes. He loves to rave about the internship he did with United or telling me every detail of a plane he sees in the sky. He loves taking pictures and posting them, particularly of cars and animals. Seeing all the new pictures he takes is always an interesting thing to do.”

Close friend Sophomore Aanya Gautam at Awty International School met Gotur at a Diwali party seven years ago.

“Abhineil’s such a light-hearted person because he always makes everything so fun. He’s charismatic in the way that without even knowing who he is, you can connect with him,” Gautam said. “Abhineil’s affectionate in the way that he always makes you feel better no matter what. He has the ability to help anyone, and even if he can’t directly help, he always makes you feel better.”

Gautam believes that aviation and photography reflect who Gotur is as a person.

“He has such a creative spirit and speaking to him can make you realize that he has such a desire to soar,” Gautam said. “Abhineil is so passionate about photography and I feel that not just the picture he takes but the idea of capturing a moment itself represents who he is as a person.”