Staff Writer
Sitting in the captain’s seat of a Bombardier CRJ-200 for the first time, Captain Carrington Kaoma reflects on a journey that began with a childhood dream of driving a city bus.
Today, as captain of a 50-seat regional jet at Proflight Zambia, he embodies years of perseverance, family sacrifice, and determination.
His rise to the left seat was far from easy. It took 15 years, more than 6 000 flight hours across four countries, and countless challenges.
In an industry where few aspiring pilots ultimately command commercial aircraft, Kaoma’s achievement demonstrates that dedication can turn ambitious dreams into reality.
Growing up in Lusaka, Kaoma had no family background in aviation. His parents raised him in Zambia, where he attended local schools before completing his secondary education.
His fascination with aviation began through television, online videos, and admiration for pilots’ uniforms and professionalism.
“I think my mother wasn’t impressed with me driving a bus, so she put some wings on it, and now I’m an airline pilot,” Kaoma jokes.
After completing his IGCSE examinations, a chance meeting between his father and a flight school contact in Eswatini changed his future. At just 17 years old, Kaoma moved alone to Johannesburg in 2009 to begin flight training.
The financial burden was immense, and there were moments when continuing seemed impossible.
“It’s a high sacrifice, high reward type of industry,” he says.
He credits his parents for believing in him, recalling their encouragement: “Let’s finish what we started.” Their support, alongside mentors and friends, helped him overcome the demanding years of training.
After qualifying, Kaoma became a flight instructor at his former academy before returning to Zambia to join a charter company.
Over seven years he flew Cessna Grand Caravans into remote airstrips, mines, and isolated communities while also mentoring younger pilots.
Among his favourite destinations was Nkamba Bay on Lake Tanganyika.
The COVID-19 pandemic altered his career path. He later joined a South African operator conducting humanitarian flights into West Africa before flying in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, supporting airline operations and serving the oil and gas sector.
The experience strengthened his adaptability and broadened his operational expertise.
In 2024, Kaoma joined Proflight Zambia, a move he describes as a homecoming.
“I knew that I was going to work for them one day. It’s good to be part of the growth that’s currently going on.” He has witnessed the airline’s rapid fleet expansion.
