what ever happened to those very young pilots who were flying around solo a few years ago??

Question

Not to many years ago we were all reading and watching on tv the exploits of some very very young pilots doing some pretty miraculous flying for their age,, (to young to even have a drivers license).. who are they ? Where are they ? are they flying for a living today? They should all be out of college by now...

Answer 1

Oshkosh, Wis. - June 1, 2005 - Jared Aicher and the Eagle Flight Team made the Memorial Day holiday memorable for Oshkosh and Fond du Lac EAA AeroScholars students and their parents. Archer in a Cessna 172 and Dustin Berlin, a Utah Valley State College flight faculty member flying a DiamondStar, arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh at about 4:15 on Monday, May 30, greeted by the students (see photo below) and members of EAA Chapter 252 (Oshkosh) and the EAA Education Department staff.

EAA Chapter 252 helped organize this event and registered kids for their Young Eagle Flights The students were able to apply aviation skills learned in their AeroScholars science courses to the actual flight.

The Eagle Flight has been going well up through Oshkosh, hitting 15 of 16 stops on the way. Weather has been favorable, says Stacey Commer, who handles media and logistics for the flight.

"It's unbelievable, clear weather patches are following us" she said. "There has been severe weather all around us but we've happened to luck out - so far."

Aicher usually takes about three Young Eagles on 30-minute flights per stop, which usually have EAA members awaiting their arrival.

While Aicher is taking the kids on flights, UVSC representatives talk to people about how they can earn college credit during high school in the EAA's AeroScholars program.

"We're making aviation accessible to kids around the country who would otherwise never have the opportunity," Berlin said. "We're eliminating the boundaries."

The goal of the Eagle Flight Project is simple: to make the dream of flying a reality for young people.

During the first phase of Eagle Flight, Aicher will fly a Cessna 172 and touch down in 60 U.S. cities, with a brief trip to the Caribbean islands. In 2006, Jared will attempt a solo flight around the world. An average day for Aicher will include 6 hours in the plane, 600 miles of flying and, no doubt, hundreds of smiling children. All the while, he will be representing UVSC's Global Aviation program.

Answer 2

They never existed. You have always had to be at least 16 to solo and 17 to get an Airman's Certificate (pilot's license). There were several cases of youngsters acting as "Pilot in Command" but they were accompanied by a CFI as they were to young to solo or be issued a pilot's license.

These stunts ended a number of years ago when a young girl was attempting to set a record for piloting a plane across country. She was accompanied by her father, a CFI. They were killed in a crash. I don't recall the exact timeframe or her name but someone will probably chime in with the details.

Answer 3

I think I remember what you are talking about. I think they were the reason why so many laws and restrictions were made to buy single engine airplanes. I have no idea what they are doing now, but I know that there are less people like them since it is hard for teenagers to buy small airplanes now. Also, the money they got to buy the airplanes was most likely from their parents. So, I don't think parents would allow their kids to fly planes like that.
Also, it was considered a developing sport, and it died out. It was more like a fad that some people went through. It never got established.