Aubrey's Story

My name is Aubrey, and I began flying when I was 15 years old. Growing up, I had a passion for aviation, as my dad is a pilot and we would frequent air shows. I always wanted to fly but thought it was an unrealistic dream for me. But, my dad proved me wrong! On August 23rd, 2020, my dad took off work which wasn’t like him considering it was a week day. I asked him why he took off and he told me he just wanted to hang out. We got in the car and he just started driving. He didn’t tell me where we were going, but we turned into the airport road, leading us to Smyrna airport (KMQY). We walked into the FBO where I was met with my original instructor, Scott. He was so kind and made my first experience with flying great! (see picture 1). I enjoyed it so much and couldn’t wait to continue. However, money was a problem. Being 15, I wasn’t making my own money- so I got a job.

I worked at a local sandwich shop making $7.25 an hour, and my entire paycheck went to my lessons. For the first 8 lessons, they were all once a month because that’s what I could afford. Unfortunately then, my instructor moved on the regionals and I was upset. I found a new instructor though, but that didn’t last long. I went up with him and my flight was terrible. He would say things like ‘you should be better after 8 lessons” “you won’t make it as a pilot” “i’m taking control you have no idea what you’re doing” and much more. This flight was on my 16th birthday, too. After that, I took March 2021-June 2021 off from flying because I was really upset from that guy. Summer of 2021 I went back to my home state of Oregon to visit family. I wanted to fly around the area, so I set up a flight at the local flight school Leading Edge Aviation (KBDN). There, i was met with an instructor who was so kind. He showed me a new world of aviation. I flew out of there 5 times in two weeks- I didn’t want to leave.

As my vacation ended, I came back to Tennessee as a new pilot. I had a new perspective, and I found out the rude guy left. I met my current instructor, and she is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is so patient and understanding, and overall just amazing. I continued to fly regularly, as I was working at the sandwich shop as a manager at 16, making double my pay, and working at the airport as an airplane detailer for my flight school. Two incomes, frequent flights, and a great instructor. Weather around middle TN is so unpredictable , so that also affected the time it took in my training. I soloed January 3rd, 2022 and got my private license June 1st, 2022. Now, in October, I am about to my instrument check ride.

My best advice for any young aviators who may have encountered a rude instructor or pilot, just ignore it! Your love for flying and your dream to be a pilot should not be determined by someone else. As a student pilot, you may encounter what I did- don’t give up. I wish I wouldn’t have stopped for as long as I did, but I didn’t know what else to do. Keep going. Keep studying. Most importantly- stay safe and have fun!

Aubrey, 17

Private Pilot

Tennessee