Caden Urschel, EAA 1161510, first got involved with aviation when he was just 7 years old when his dad, Scott Urschel, EAA 1203239, began to let him fly his helicopter on ferry flights.
Caden was first introduced to EAA when his dad took him to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016. While he was there, he decided he wanted to become a member. From then on, Caden and his dad have tried to attend AirVenture every year.
Caden said he loved flying with his dad so much that it was a no-brainer to start lessons.
“To me there is really nothing that compares to flight, and the first time you go in the air it’s a great feeling and that’s something I wanted to keep doing,” Caden said. “So the next step for me was to solo.”
Caden soloed on February 14 in a Robinson R44 and an Aeronca 7AC Champ. The morning of his solo, it was overcast but he had good VFR ceilings. Luckily, the rain held off until he did his last landing in the Champ.
“Throughout I was feeling great,” Caden said. “Just as I got into the R44 I was a bit nervous, but once I had taken off I felt amazing from there on out.”
Caden said he plans to continue his instruction, but it’s still undecided what type of flying he would like to do in the future. Caden said aviation as a career is very possible. For now, his next step is to take his checkride, which he plans on doing on his 17th birthday.
“Until then I will be training and working on instrument flying as well,” Caden said. “I’m also planning on taking my private pilot written this summer.”
Have you reached a milestone recently? Passed a checkride, given your first or hundredth Young Eagle flight, flown your homebuilt for the first time? Tell us about it at editorial@eaa.org.