That first solo flight is a defining event in the life of a pilot, whether your goal is to fly airliners or just have fun in the air. While there’s no maximum age for solo, most people know there’s a minimum: you have to be 16. But that’s only for powered airplanes. As this video shows, you can solo a glider at just 14. Ride along on Jack Wallace’s first solo in a Blanik L-23 for your daily dose of inspiration.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/05174409/14-year-old-glider-solo.jpg480900studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2018-03-02 10:26:442021-06-08 19:23:27Video: first glider solo at 14 years old
Friday Photo is a new installment to share those special moments capturing first solos, checkrides or other special memories. Please send your achievements to [email protected] using the format below and be featured in an upcoming edition.
We’re pleased to feature Natalie Kelley for the inaugural moment. After earning her Private pilot certification, Natalie was inspired to create the Fly Girl Aviation Scholarship – a $5,000 award to help another pursue her dream of learning to fly. Learn more at SportysAcademy.com/FlyGirl. Ed.
The moment: Private Pilot Checkride
The pilot: Natalie Kelley (right)
The place: Clermont County Airport (I69)
The aircraft: C172R
The instructor: Ken Kostolich
The memory: “This was a moment I had been waiting for since I was 8 years old. This achievement proved to me that I actually could do anything if I set my mind to it. I was smart enough. I was capable. The only thing I needed was time and determination.”
Want to share your “Friday Photo” of your solo or checkride moment? Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/05174405/Natalie-Kelley-Private-1024x768-1.jpg7681024studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2018-02-23 10:00:242021-06-08 19:23:27Friday Photo: Private Pilot
Sporty’s 2018 Learn to Fly Course is the most thorough update yet to its award-winning complete pilot training system. With thousands of active students using its training products, Sporty’s fielded input from those pilots to incorporate enhancements to make it the best ever. A major change is that you don’t have to select which format to use. The Learn to Fly Course includes all three formats for the same price: online, for Apple TV, and for iPads/iPhones.
Come along for an in-depth tour of the Learn to Fly Course and learn strategies to get the most from your pilot training experience.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/05174401/Sportys-2018-Learn-to-Fly-Course-course-demo-and-tutorial.jpg14002240studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2018-02-17 11:58:122021-06-08 19:23:28Webinar video: behind the scenes with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
When your tires are this big, you really can land almost anywhere. In this wild video, join a group of friends in some unique backcountry airplanes as they go flying through Utah. They land on top of mountains, next to rivers, and even at a gas station. Your daily reminder that “aviation” includes a lot more than just an airliner from JFK to LAX.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/05174502/backcountry-cockpit-shot.jpg477900studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2018-02-16 09:09:442021-06-08 19:23:28Video: landing almost anywhere, even at a gas station
Helicopter pilots talk about freedom a lot, especially the freedom to take off and land from almost anywhere. This video is a great example, as two pilots stop by a friend’s house on the way to a famous BBQ restaurant – in a helicopter. Watch their careful planning, the backyard landing, and then the arrival at the Salt Lick. So much more fun than driving.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/05174506/Helicopter-back-yard.jpg479900studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2018-02-09 14:30:022021-06-08 19:23:28Video: Picking up friends from their backyard in a helicopter
The islands of the Bahamas offer some well-known flying adventures, but the Baja Peninsula in Mexico has its own charm too. Just a short flight from Southern California and Arizona, the hundreds of miles of coastline offer incredible views and diverse wildlife. There are dozens of airports, and the flying weather is often excellent. Fly along in this video as the pilot visits Loreto, San Felipe, and Ensenada.
Video: first glider solo at 14 years old
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsThat first solo flight is a defining event in the life of a pilot, whether your goal is to fly airliners or just have fun in the air. While there’s no maximum age for solo, most people know there’s a minimum: you have to be 16. But that’s only for powered airplanes. As this video shows, you can solo a glider at just 14. Ride along on Jack Wallace’s first solo in a Blanik L-23 for your daily dose of inspiration.
Video from Jack Wallace.
Friday Photo: Private Pilot
/in Friday Photo/by studentpltnewsFriday Photo is a new installment to share those special moments capturing first solos, checkrides or other special memories. Please send your achievements to [email protected] using the format below and be featured in an upcoming edition.
We’re pleased to feature Natalie Kelley for the inaugural moment. After earning her Private pilot certification, Natalie was inspired to create the Fly Girl Aviation Scholarship – a $5,000 award to help another pursue her dream of learning to fly. Learn more at SportysAcademy.com/FlyGirl. Ed.
The moment: Private Pilot Checkride
The pilot: Natalie Kelley (right)
The place: Clermont County Airport (I69)
The aircraft: C172R
The instructor: Ken Kostolich
The memory: “This was a moment I had been waiting for since I was 8 years old. This achievement proved to me that I actually could do anything if I set my mind to it. I was smart enough. I was capable. The only thing I needed was time and determination.”
Want to share your “Friday Photo” of your solo or checkride moment? Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]
Webinar video: behind the scenes with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
/in Webinars/by studentpltnewsSporty’s 2018 Learn to Fly Course is the most thorough update yet to its award-winning complete pilot training system. With thousands of active students using its training products, Sporty’s fielded input from those pilots to incorporate enhancements to make it the best ever. A major change is that you don’t have to select which format to use. The Learn to Fly Course includes all three formats for the same price: online, for Apple TV, and for iPads/iPhones.
Come along for an in-depth tour of the Learn to Fly Course and learn strategies to get the most from your pilot training experience.
To learn more about flight training, visit Sporty’s flight school.
Video: landing almost anywhere, even at a gas station
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsWhen your tires are this big, you really can land almost anywhere. In this wild video, join a group of friends in some unique backcountry airplanes as they go flying through Utah. They land on top of mountains, next to rivers, and even at a gas station. Your daily reminder that “aviation” includes a lot more than just an airliner from JFK to LAX.
Video from Shonduras.
Video: Picking up friends from their backyard in a helicopter
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsHelicopter pilots talk about freedom a lot, especially the freedom to take off and land from almost anywhere. This video is a great example, as two pilots stop by a friend’s house on the way to a famous BBQ restaurant – in a helicopter. Watch their careful planning, the backyard landing, and then the arrival at the Salt Lick. So much more fun than driving.
Video from Critical Angle.
Video: Flying in Baja, Mexico
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsThe islands of the Bahamas offer some well-known flying adventures, but the Baja Peninsula in Mexico has its own charm too. Just a short flight from Southern California and Arizona, the hundreds of miles of coastline offer incredible views and diverse wildlife. There are dozens of airports, and the flying weather is often excellent. Fly along in this video as the pilot visits Loreto, San Felipe, and Ensenada.
Video from forogers.