A call to those who believe in possibility
Help Adam Harry Reach the Flight Deck
After nearly a decade of fighting for the right to fly, Adam Harry is approaching the final stage of his Commercial Pilot Licence and Bachelor of Aviation.
Seven Impact Champions can help him finish the journey.
7 places available $5,000 USD each $35,000 remaining
Become an Impact ChampionThe journey
He Never Stopped
I’m Neelu Bhuman. For the past seven years, I have been documenting the life of Adam Harry—one of India’s pioneering transgender commercial pilot trainees.
When I met Adam in 2019, he was fighting simply for the right to belong in aviation.
Since then, I have watched him navigate family rejection, financial hardship, discrimination and institutional barriers that would have caused many people to abandon their dreams.
Adam never did.
Today, after a journey spanning nearly a decade and three continents, Adam is completing his Commercial Pilot Licence and Bachelor of Aviation in Perth, Australia.
For the first time, the flight deck is within reach.
One final funding gap stands in his way: $35,000 USD.
What remains
The Final Stretch
What your support will make possible
The remaining $35,000 will support:
- 100 hours of Commercial Pilot Licence flight training at Flight Training Perth
- Flight Operations and Flight Planning courses toward Adam’s Bachelor of Aviation at Edith Cowan University
- Uninterrupted progress through this final stage of his professional qualification
Adam is expected to complete the flying requirements for his CPL between October and December 2026, followed by the final two semesters of his Bachelor of Aviation through June 2027.
With the necessary support, he will be positioned to pursue professional airline employment.
Why now?
Flight training depends on continuity. A funding interruption could delay Adam’s progress just as he approaches the qualifications he has spent years working toward.
This is not the beginning of Adam’s journey. It is the final stretch.
Seven people or collectives can close the gap
Become an Impact Champion
We are forming a founding circle of nine leadership supporters committed to helping Adam complete his training.
The Shah and Bhuman-Nicholson families have already claimed the first two places.
Seven Impact Champion places remain.
7 Impact Champions times $5,000 equals $35,000
A $5,000 leadership contribution funds one-seventh of Adam’s entire remaining training need.
Individual donors, families, aviation groups, employee networks and philanthropic partners may claim a place. Supporters may also sponsor more than one.
- 01 Available
- 02 Available
- 03 Available
- 04 Available
- 05 Available
- 06 Available
- 07 Available
- 08 Claimed — The Shah Family
- 09 Claimed — Bhuman-Nicholson Family
The difference you make
Your Impact
As an Impact Champion, you will help Adam:
- Complete the flight hours required for his Commercial Pilot Licence
- Finish two essential courses toward his Bachelor of Aviation
- Maintain momentum through the final stage of qualification
- Move closer to professional airline employment
- Turn a landmark change in aviation policy into a lived reality
Impact Champions will also receive a special on-screen Impact Partner credit in the feature documentary CHIRAKU, recognizing their role in helping bring this journey to completion.
Your name will be connected not simply to a film, but to the moment possibility became progress.
Significance: Doors opened for a fairer future
Why Adam’s Journey Matters
Adam Harry fought for more than his place in the cockpit. His challenge helped prompt India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to issue the country’s first guidelines for transgender pilot applicants, opening a path to be assessed fit to fly.
The reform enabled Naina Menon to earn her pilot licence, fulfilling a long-delayed dream.
Yet Adam is still working to complete the journey he helped make possible for others. After a year of coercive conversion practices and discrimination, he shifted his training to Australia.
Seven years into filming, I hope CHIRAKU ends with Adam earning his Commercial Pilot Licence.
Policy change opened the door.
Now Adam needs the support to walk through it.
For members and allies of the LGBTQ+ aviation community, this is an opportunity to stand behind someone who challenged an aviation system—and help ensure that his courage leads all the way to the flight deck.
The documentary
CHIRAKU: The Story Behind the Journey
Since 2019, I have documented Adam’s journey through the feature documentary CHIRAKU.
The film follows his pursuit of flight across continents, exploring trans joy, chosen family, ambition, migration and systemic change. The project has received support from Firelight Media, Sheffield DocFest and BFI Doc Society.
We have allocated the remaining $35,000 within CHIRAKU’s impact budget to support Adam’s educational and flight-training expenses during this final stage of qualification.
The film will preserve Adam’s story.
The Impact Champions can help change how it ends.
Chosen family
A Personal Note from Neelu
I am approaching you not only as a filmmaker, but as Adam’s chosen brother.
For seven years, I have watched him continue when there seemed to be every reason to stop. I have witnessed his generosity, resilience and determination firsthand.
My partner, Andrew Nicholson, and I have personally supported Adam’s education while leading a relationship-based fundraising effort that has already raised approximately $23,000 through friends, colleagues and supporters across our networks.
Now we are asking seven more people to stand with us.
As a filmmaker, I believe in Adam’s story. As his brother, I believe in Adam.
— Neelu Bhuman
Director, CHIRAKU
Final CTA
The Flight Deck Is Within Reach
Nearly ten years of persistence have brought Adam to this moment.
Seven Impact Champions can help him complete his training—and help aviation’s promise of belonging become real.
Will you be one of them?
Leadership gifts, philanthropic partnerships and introductions to aligned supporters are deeply appreciated.
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