http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/proficiency/careers/dream-makers-everyday-pilots-reaching-for-the-sky.html?start=1

He's just shy of 18, but Jonathan Strickland already has earned his private certificate and instrument rating, and has commercial and CFI checkrides scheduled on his upcoming 18th birthday. He has been flying since he was eight.

I fly myself to high school, he says, matter-of-factly. I land in Van Nuys and just take a bus, ride my bike or skateboard to school. For Strickland, this is all part of a clearly defined goal of becoming a pilot for a major airline. It's a dream I've had since I can remember, he says.

Strickland's journey began while traveling on airliners with his grandmothersomething he enjoyed very much. When Strickland was eight, a pilot friend who flew for Delta took him for a ride in a Cessna 182, and Strickland was hooked. He continued to fly the 182 with his friend whenever he could. After hearing about Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, near his home in Compton, Calif., Strickland applied to the program, which is designed to help inner-city youths get involved in aviation.

Strickland was accepted and began flight instruction: He was a natural stick, and at 14, he flew a helicopter to Canada with his flight instructor, and soloed both the helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane on the same daya first for his age.

Strickland has amassed more than 380 hours in the air and is piloting a high-performance Beechcraft A36 Bonanza and preparing for his commercial checkride. He has been accepted to Embry-Riddle University to pursue a degree in aviation and his dream of becoming a captain on a major airline.

Strickland has a simple piece of advice for anyone pursuing aviation: I can tell you for sure that good things happen to people who hang around local airports. He finishes our conversation with one last thought: You have to be determined. If you're determined, nothing can stop you.

What an awesome kid!

Hanging around the local airport when I was a kid sure has paid big dividends for me. Hope the young man has a great career ahead of him.

very nice, i was about 2 inches from going to embry riddle, got a half ride there but it was still very expensive and about 16 hours from my house.  its a good school and that kid will probable fit in there lol btw i couldnt imagine flying myself to school lol.

cool

He must get all the ladies.

He must get all the ladies.

..especially on prom night, i'd take a chopper over a limo any day lol