By Paul Maloy, EAA Director of Education
Far too often, teenagers are categorically labeled as inadequate, unmotivated, unfocused, and lazy. However, the truth for many teens is exactly the opposite! With an appropriate goal in mind, they are driven to accomplish spectacular results.
Such is the case with two teenage girls, a teen boy, and a sister-brother duo.
Earlier this year, Kimora Freeland officially became the youngest Black woman to earn her private pilot certificate in the history of New York state, actually completing the task on her 17th birthday, even before she got her driver’s license! Her goal now is keep going to get her ATP and fly for a major airline, then open her own flight school to continue inspiring other youths toward opportunities both in and out of aviation.
Seventeen-year-old Kyle Wren of Colorado made his flying dreams come true earlier this year before graduating from high school. “I was always that kid that would look up to the sky, see an airplane, and wish that I was the one in that cockpit,” Kyle said. “I was a junior when I started flight training, and then it was February of my senior year of high school when I was certified.” He added, “A good pilot is always learning, so don’t give up on your dreams and know that it is definitely worth it.” Kyle is already working on his bachelor’s degree, fully funded through a scholarship he earned.
British teenager Olivia Thompson made aviation history in the U.K. when she completed her private helicopter pilot’s license on July 4, after just four months of training. “My dad always said the difference between success and failure is hard work, and I have worked really hard,” said Olivia. “Now I’ve done it. I’m a helicopter pilot, and this is what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life, which is really exciting and a bit unreal.”
At AirVenture 2023, Belgian natives and siblings Zara and Mack Rutherford came to share about their record-breaking, independent journeys flying solo around the world. At 19 years old, Zara became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a Slovakian-built Shark Aero light-sport, single-engine aircraft. Just months later, flying another specially modified Shark Aero single-engine aircraft, Zara’s younger brother Mack took off from Sofia, Bulgaria, at age 16, returning five months later having turned 17 years old en route, becoming the youngest person ever to fly solo around the world.
Zara’s goal during her journey was “to show young women that they can be bold, ambitious, and make their dreams come true.”
For his own solo trip around the world, Mack said, “No matter what background you have, I believe it is never too early to work towards your dreams, and [never] limit yourself by others’ expectations.”
Truly, with the right encouragement, teens can indeed accomplish big dreams! Curious? Not sure where to start? EAA’s online aviation education program, AeroEducate, is freely available to help young people make their own aviation or aerospace dreams come true.