NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — “Shavi” Samaranayake has a unique view of Northwest Arkansas. He’s only seen most of the region from above, in the left seat of a Piper Arrow.
Flying is a family affair for Samaranayake, whose grandfather was an aeronautical engineer for Air Ceylon. His mother works for the national airline in his hometown of Columbo, Sri Lanka. With only a few single-engine airplanes in Sri Lanka, Samaranayake had to travel to the United States to train as a pilot.
Samaranayake’s experience is representative of many others who came to Northwest Arkansas seeking job opportunities.
He spent a year in Tulsa, earning his private pilot’s license and instrument rating, then moved to Fayetteville last month to complete his commercial rating and to earn a certified flight instructor license. He’ll head home early next year and hopes to fly for the national Sri Lankan airline.
“I was just looking online for flight schools, and this one popped up on Google,” Samaranayake said. “I’m spending three hours in the air on a good day.”
Samaranayake took his high school classes in English, the international standard language of the aviation industry. Once he completes his certified flight instructor license, he’s headed home to teach at a flight school run by a family friend, and to enroll in college. Once he gets his degree, he hopes to take the test for pilot selection at the national airline and secure a special rating to fly Airbus jetliners.
Meanwhile, he’s enjoying his adopted home — and its comparatively good weather.
“I like this area,” Samaranayake said. “It’s not as cold or snowy like Oklahoma was.”