He walks around the plane and looks around to ensure that everything in the aircraft is working alright. As he gets into the plane, his instructor gives him a reassuring smile. He climbs up and settles into his seat. Picking up his headset, he checks for takeoff approval. The sun shines on his face through the tiny window as junior David Kelly begins another solo flight.
Senior Henrique Arantes and Kelly are currently working towards their pilot’s license. Arantes started learning how to fly in July of his sophomore year and Kelly began to fly last summer.

“I’m very motivated to fly because I believe it can be beneficial to society,” Kelly said. “Whether that be through mission trips or other various means. Also, I also enjoy the feeling of being able to soar thousands of feet in the air.”

Kelly got into piloting through his father, who has been a pilot since the age of 21. Likewise, Arantes got into piloting when he was a child by watching his father fly various airplanes from America to Brazil.

“I was always fascinated when I watched my dad around airplanes,” Arantes said. “It was during these moments with him that my interest really sparked.”

Kelly and Arantes alike began flying in smaller, simpler aircrafts. Arantes began on a plane called Cessna Skyhawk while Kelly’s first plane was his grandfather’s Piper Arrow.

“After my first solo flight, I felt amazing,” Kelly said. “It was an incredible feeling to be able to fly by myself and have sole control of the aircraft.

To fly solo, students are required to be 16 and have proper flight training over specific flight maneuvers for the airplane they fly. They must also display proper safety procedures and proficiency in airspace rules. 

“My first solo was such a unique experience,” Arantes said. “It was both exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.”

In order to prepare for their test to become a private pilot, Kelly and Arantes have performed multiple solo flights, studied a ground school course, and taken practice tests. They have been doing this in addition to their school work and extracurriculars.

“To balance school and flying I generally attempt to finish my homework and then try to get at least ten minutes of flight-study time a day,” Kelly said.  “Whenever I don’t have work, I try to make it out to Hawkins to fly for around 20-40 minutes at least twice a week.”  

Arantes and Kelly plan to take their private pilot tests at the end of the school year. After taking his test, Kelly plans to shift his focus on schoolwork while Arantes plans to focus on college readiness.
“The training I do now should give me a leg up whenever I enter the field of aviation,” Kelly said. “Whether that be in the Air Force or the airlines if something goes wrong with my primary goal.”

After graduation, Arantes plans to attend UT Tyler and study medicine. He hopes to be accepted into medical school and become a family medicine doctor while flying on the side.

“Even though I want to become a doctor, I still want to continue flying,” Arantes said. “Flying will always be something I will do regardless of which career I end up in.”

After graduation, Kelly plans to attend college and get an engineering degree. Then, he plans to move on to a career in the Air Force as a pilot.

“I understand it is not common for a pilot to start their training at a young age,” Kelly said. “I feel that I have been blessed to have the ability and knowledge to be able to fly in my teenage years.”