Young Eagle Excited After First Solo Flight

November 3, 2011 — Another Young Eagle has taken flight. And he couldn’t be more excited. Connor Gust took a Young Eagles flight in May 2001 in the family’s 1952 Cessna 170B flown by his uncle, Mel (Doug) Echelberger. About 10 years later, Connor found himself in the left seat, this time soloing in a Cessna 172. A 2011 graduate of Oakdale High School, Connor, 18, started private pilot ground school in July at Modesto Aviation. He passed his written exam and has been flying with his flight instructor about twice a week. In fact, a couple weeks ago he was flying around the airport with his instructor when she told him to land and that she was getting out. “That’s when I figured out I was going to solo that day,” he said, laughing. “I was pretty confident that I was ready for it. But when I took off by myself, I thought, ‘Holy cow! I’m actually doing it.’” His instructor told the tower that Connor was soloing for the first time. So when he landed, the controller congratulated him, he said. But others on the same frequency piped in with their comments. “As I was taxiing to park, I heard other pilots say things like ‘Looks like we have a new pilot in the sky,’ and ‘congratulations.’” he said. “It left me with a smile on my face for the rest of the day.” He currently has about 14 hours of flight training in his logbook – You need 40 to qualify for a private pilot’s certificate - and he plans to earn his ticket before next summer. He attends Columbia Junior College and he hopes to someday work in the medical field and continue to fly recreationally. Connor said once he receives his private pilot license, he plans to gain additional ratings, including instrument and twin-engine. But Connor isn’t the only one excited that he’s gotten the aviation bug. Echelberger is proud of his nephew’s accomplishment. “Flying an airplane by yourself is a big deal,” he said. “You will remember that moment for the rest of your life.”

Connor Gust soloed in October 2011 and is well on his way to receive his private pilot certificate. Photo courtesy Connor Gust

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