As an aircraft approaches Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 17-year-old Matthew Christian, after months of rigorous training, prepares to land the small craft according to his training.  This flight is one of many for the junior, who is on his way to earning a private piloting license.

Christian began his pilot training in September of 2023 at the age of 16, with the goal of being ready when turned 17 to obtain his pilot’s license, as required by the FAA. Now, after months of dedication, he is set to achieve this significant milestone by the end of November 2024.

“I’m currently 75% of the way done with my training to get my license,” Christian explained. “Now all I have left is a cross-country test and one final exam to ensure I’m ready for the next step of my dream to become a private pilot.”

Throughout his journey towards his earning the license, Christian encountered plenty of obstacles testing his skills and knowledge. He dedicated long hours to studying aircraft instruction manuals, the mechanics of flight, and the navigation controls of planes. To reinforce his understanding, he regularly completes digital assessments, ensuring he masters everything.

“There’s so much information you need to know to pass the online assessments, which takes up a ton of time out of the day but it’s all worth it,” Christian said.

Before beginning his journey in aviation, his family, without any prior background or experience in flying, enrolled him in a flight academy. Attending sessions every Tuesday and Saturday, Christian developed a strong connection with his instructor over his time in training.

Spencer McNabb, Matthew’s current flight instructor at Cirrus Aviation at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, is a University of South Florida alumni and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI).

McNabb said that one thing that sticks out about Matthew is that he pays close attention to detail. Also, his ability to stay calm under pressure has allowed him to quickly adapt to new challenges and have exceptional situational awareness in the cockpit.

“I’m most proud of Matthew’s commitment to continuous learning,” McNabb said. “He consistently seeks feedback and works hard to improve his skills while having a genuine passion for aviation.”

Matthew’s family has strongly supported his interest in flying, and recently, they’ve helped him choose two top universities with excellent flight programs.  Christian is determined to become a commercial airline pilot.

“Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona and Liberty University in Virginia are the two [universities] I have been looking at,”Christian said. “And they both have a successful flight program and are not far from home.”

With his private pilot license within reach, Matthew Christian is one step closer to his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Supported by family and mentors, he’s certain to soar.

This story was originally published on The Gauntlet on November 7, 2024.