At 16 many students are just beginning to adjust to the newfound freedom of a driver’s license. In the case of sophomore Ella Rennecker, she is currently working towards her Private pilot’s license.
Rennecker started taking flight lessons at 14 and earned her Student Pilot Certificate at 16. Following her 16th birthday she completed the solo flying requirement by completing a take-off and landing completely solo.
“It [flying] is a lot of work but it’s really calming,” Rennecker said.
Rennecker first got interested in flying because her dad is a pilot for United Airlines.
“Not many kids can say they can fly a plane,” Rennecker said.
This led her to start the process to earn her private pilot’s license.
“I am getting my license so young because it is something I am passionate about and it will help me achieve my goals quicker and easier,” Rennecker said. “I flew a plane solo before I drove a car alone.”
“I am getting my license so young because it is something I am passionate about and it will help me achieve my goals quicker and easier,” Rennecker said. “I flew a plane solo before I drove a car alone.”
Rennecker hopes to turn this into a career and pursue a job in commercial aviation, with the end goal of becoming a pilot for United Airlines, just like her dad.
If any student is interested in pursuing a private pilot’s license they can go to https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/rec_private which includes the requirements needed to get this license. From there students can sign up for flying lessons at places such as Avit Flying Academy in Wadsworth, Mansfield and Akron-Canton.