Ave Maria Teen Pilots First Solo Flight

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Published on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 22:17

A love of flying seems to run in the Kelly family. Zachary Kelly, 19, piloted his first solo flight earlier this month, watched by his father, Jim, a captain with American Airlines.

"It was an amazing feeling - really hard to describe," Zachary said. "I was so used to having my instructor next to me and then I thought, wow - this is really happening!"

Zachary, his brother Aaron and fellow Ave Maria teen Jake Schneider took classes this summer at Immokalee Tech in Introduction to Aviation, studying topics like aerodynamics, engine mechanics and weather. Zachary also started taking flight lessons at Immokalee Airport with instructor Luis Arrendondo (pictured with Zachary at right).

After several hours of instruction, Zachary took up a Piper 140 Cherokee by himself for about a half-hour.

Once safely on the ground, his father, Jim, met him with a traditional dunking ceremony (left, watched gleefully by Zachary's younger sister Kacy.

He'll be continuing his aviation instruction this fall, attending Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX, to pursue a degree in Aviation Sciences.

Zachary's family moved to Emerson Park in January, 2008. His father, Jim, an Air Force veteran, has been a pilot for American Airlines for 18 years and currently is a 737 captain flying out of Miami.

"It was an important first step for Zachary and we're proud of him," Mr. Kelly said.

Below, the Kelly family posing at the airport. Left to right: Aaron, 16, Kathleen, 9, Mom Christine, Zachary, Kacy, 4, Dad Jim, and Kendall,  19 months. 

(photos supplied by Kelly family)