WHY I’M BUILDING MY OWN AEROPLANE

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN fascinated with aeroplanes. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where there were barely any roads. The main road out of our area wasn’t tarred, and during the rainy season it would become flooded and muddy. When my sisters and I walked along the flooded road to school, I’d see aeroplanes flying above us. I’d be envious of whoever was in the plane because we were down on the ground, walking in mud.

My family moved to New York City when I was about 12. At that time, I never imagined I would be flying planes. None of my friends or family members encouraged my obsession with planes, and still when I