LAKELAND, Florida — The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Center for Excellence is celebrating the 150th pilot who has earned their wings with a scholarship from the James C. Ray Foundation.
Hayden Gomez completed his private pilot checkride Aug. 13, 2022, the day of his 18th birthday.
A 2022 graduate of Central Florida Aerospace Academy, the high school on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL), Hayden plans to attend Jacksonville University to pursue a degree in Aviation Management and Flight Operations with the goal of becoming an airline pilot.
After successfully earning his wings, Hayden has some advice for those pursuing their private pilot certificate: “Make sure you study anything and everything you can. Know all of your ground training before you start doing the practical portion of flying in the air. In order to succeed you need to figure out what you are planning on the ground first before applying it in the air.”
Hayden started his flight training in early 2021 at Legends Aviation Academy at Lakeland Linder International Airport. He completed his first solo in July 2021 in a Cessna 172. He completed his checkride in a Tecnam P2008 with 63 hours of flight experience.
Congratulations young man . enjoy your journey and fly safe.