According to a Pew Research Center study, teens, on average, have five hours and 44 minutes of leisure time a day and spend three hours of that time on screens — gaming, social media, watching videos, and watching television.
While other teens play or watch imaginary adventures, 14-year-old John Humphreys has already soloed in a glider.
It is safe to say John is not an average teenager.
“I have always been homeschooled,” he says. “I am an active member of the Infinity Aero Club of Tampa, where I do STEM aviation classes, projects, sims, and drone programs.”
“I became interested in flying when I was much younger,” he continues. “Instead of my parents taking me to a normal theme park like Universal or Disney, they took me to Kennedy Space Center and Fantasy of Flight. Seeing the towering rockets and the big flying machines inspired me to want to learn all about them and one day become an astronaut.”
John’s Inspirations
“Some historical figures that really inspired me to pursue flying were Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Chuck Yeager,” John says. “When I met the Blue Angels and the Rhino Demonstration Team for the Navy, which included Lt. Amanda ‘Stalin’ Lee, Lt. Ryan ‘Peaches’ Garcia, and CPO Justin Delacruz, I knew I wanted to fly for the Navy in the F/A-18.”
Also inspiring him is Ricardo Foster (LCDR, U.S. Navy, retired), who is president of the Infinity Aero Club, which is based at Tampa North Aeropark (X39).
“He has helped me tremendously and continues to encourage me,” John notes. “He also introduced me to my two current instructors, Rand Vollmer and Phil Mednick.”
“John was the second youngest of the four pilots I have soloed before their 16th birthday,” reports Vollmer, who has been a private pilot since 1971 and a CFI since 2011 and is retired from the U.S. Army.
Why a glider?
“I was inspired by my friend Ava Shelly to fly a glider because you can solo at 14 as opposed to 16,” John says. “I also wanted to fly a glider because it requires much more skill and finesse. I plan on getting certified to fly more motorized aircraft. I started with a Pipistrel Motor-Glider, and I have already started working on other planes, such as an Alto LSA and a Cessna 172.”
Vollmer explains that the 2019 Pipistrel Virus SW (N221AV), unlike other gliders, has a motor.
“They are classified as ‘self launch’ gliders by the FAA,” he says. “So while most glider pilots learn in aircraft without engines that are towed into the air, the Pipistrel takes off under power very much like any airplane and requires a self launch endorsement from the instructor. Because it is in the FAA category as a glider, students as young as 14 can legally solo in it. A self launch glider can be soloed much more quickly than an aero tow or ground launch glider (the other types of endorsements for gliders) because it is easier for the student to accumulate airtime and landing practice.”
“It has been a lot of fun working with John,” he continues. “Like most younger pilots, his coordination, as well as stick and rudder skills, came very quickly. More importantly, John was very disciplined in his studies and motivated to achieve this goal. So before he could even drive a car with a learner’s permit, John soloed a Pipistrel that cruises at up to 120 knots (138 mph). I first soloed a Cessna when I was 19, and that was second only to the birth of my daughter as a highlight of my life. I know that John’s memory of soloing at 14 will be way up there too.”
John soloed the glider March 22, 2023.
“On my solo, I didn’t really realize the magnitude of that moment until I was banking and looked at the ground,” he recalls. “That was when I realized I was truly flying all alone, and I was completely free! During my solo, I honestly was so happy that I couldn’t stop myself from just humming a little song.”
John continues his flight training and is working with other members of the Infinity Aero Club Tampa Bay to repair a Cessna 172.
His career goals are lofty.
“The main career path I am considering right now is to become a Naval Aviator, including test pilot, TOP GUN Instructor, and Blue Angel. Then, I will use my experience to apply to a space agency and become an astronaut. Then, who knows? Maybe I’ll run for president.”
John’s Advice for Aspiring Aviators
“My advice to other students who are interested in flying is not to be intimidated by the amount of work,” he begins. “Its bark is worse than its bite, and some of the work is actually fun! In challenging situations, trust your training and don’t overthink. Once you reach the point where you have a solid foundation and have gained some muscle memory, your confidence starts to build, and the sky is the limit.”
John also has some advice for teens whose parents may not be on board at first about them learning to fly.
“At first, my parents were very scared of me flying, especially by myself, but now they are much less worried and very proud of me,” he says. “They are always helping me to get time and opportunities to be in the air as much as possible. I have a nine-year-old sister, Nicole Laura, who was also unbelievably scared of me flying. This was until, of course, she experienced her own flight and realized how amazing and fun it is.”
Keep it up, kid. Learn to fly real gliders if you want to become a good stick. Pay for it all yourself, too. Stay away from girls until you have your ratings, and make sure the one you choose likes to fly but doesn’t expect expensive gifts or much of your time.