16 Years Old..... His Plane Is Small But His Dreams Are Large

A Life Aloft

A Life Aloft

Well-Known Member
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A 16-year-old boy who learned to fly at Compton/Woodley Airport is aiming to become the youngest pilot to fly solo around the Earth, taking aim at an entry in the Guinness World Records.

But first, Isaiah Cooper intends to break another barrier: he wants to become the youngest African-American pilot to fly around the continental United States.

He departed on that attempt Tuesday morning, leaving from outside Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum at the Compton Airport, where he was a member of an at-risk youth program that teaches local children to fly.

“I’m so happy that I get this opportunity,” Cooper said. “Most people don’t.”

He hopes his flight will inspire other teens.

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His mother just wants him to call home every time he lands. She cried at her son’s departure event, which brought dozens of family members and friend to the airport before takeoff.

Cooper and his flight instructor Roger Azad will fly from California to Washington state, to Maine, down to Florida and back across the country, with several stops along the route. They’ll fly about eight hours a day.

The attempt is a practice flight for the larger goal, which Cooper hopes to complete next year.

"It's making him truly believe he can do anything he wants to," said Robin Petgrave, who founded the museum and flight program.



The current Guinness record-holder for the youngest person to fly solo around the world is Matthew Guthmiller, who finished his flight in El Cajon, in San Diego County, at age 19 in July 2014.

Cooper wants to break the record when he is 18. An 18-year-old Australian man is trying to break the record now.

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Rotate. ROTATE!

I admit that I find these "younger further faster" records a bit tasteless in general, especially after that mess with the little girl and the overloaded 177, but going around the world in an RV is no joke, flight instructor on board or otherwise. Hope he has a good journey and makes his goal.
 
The reason I posted this is really because I like to promote the various kids programs out at CPM. It's mostly inner city kids there. I have volunteered there some there over the years working with the Young Eagles, and with kids building and flying model airplanes. They have a number of events, mentoring and various programs for kids. Three of their largest sponsors are Boeing, Northrop Grumman and UPS. It's a great place to volunteer and you'll meet some terrific people.( a lot of old fart pilots too!)

The pilot in the video who is speaking is Robin Petgrave. He has really done a remarkable job over the years as the Director of TAM in mentoring and teaching kids about aviation and teaching them to fly. He has raised funds, garnered sponsors, goes to and speaks at the various schools in the at risk communities in L.A. and gives a lot of his time and efforts trying to mentor and help kids and give them a second chance and hope. He has helped many kids to turn their lives around and make positive choices for their future. He's quite the task master too. He's a great guy.

I also think it's pretty great to see where this young man came from, what he has learned and how he has changed.
 
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Don't these kids always end up dead? Not being crass, but "get there-itis" combined with inexperience has generally proven to be a bad mix.
 
A Life Aloft said:
The reason I posted this is really because I like to promote the various kids programs out at CPM. It's mostly inner city kids there. I have volunteered there some there over the years working with the Young Eagles, and with kids building and flying model airplanes. They have a number of events, mentoring and various programs for kids. Three of their largest sponsors are Boeing, Northrop Grumman and UPS. It's a great place to volunteer and you'll meet some terrific people.( a lot of old fart pilots too!)

The pilot in the video who is speaking is Robin Petgrave. He has really done a remarkable job over the years as the Director of TAM in mentoring and teaching kids about aviation and teaching them to fly. He has raised funds, garnered sponsors, goes to and speaks at the various schools in the at risk communities in L.A. and gives a lot of his time and efforts trying to mentor and help kids and give them a second chance and hope. He has helped many kids to turn their lives around and make positive choices for their future. He's quite the task master too. He's a great guy.

I also think it's pretty great to see where this young man came from, what he has learned and how he has changed.
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Didn't I read about this happening already, or was that another kid?
 
Most records are stupid and in some way subjective, anyway. I think it's still entirely appropriate to wish this young guy luck. I mean is it kind of a non-event in the history of aviation? Yeah, obviously. But given his background and the fact that he's by all appearances not just filling a seat and bringing in the cameras, but actually planning and flying the thing (I stand open to correction on that), I don't mind throwing a "like". I mean compare and contrast to Earhart's great great grand cousin twice removed doing the same thing at age 30 or whatever with huge corporate sponsors in a freaking PC-12.
 
Boris Badenov said:
Most records are stupid and in some way subjective, anyway. I think it's still entirely appropriate to wish this young guy luck. I mean is it kind of a non-event in the history of aviation? Yeah, obviously. But given his background and the fact that he's by all appearances not just filling a seat and bringing in the cameras, but actually planning and flying the thing (I stand open to correction on that), I don't mind throwing a "like". I mean compare and contrast to Earhart's great great grand cousin twice removed doing the same thing at age 30 or whatever with huge corporate sponsors in a freaking PC-12.
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I just keep imagining the instructor waking up in the terminal environment every landing..."Okay, remember, airspeed, airspeed, airspeed...don't forget right rudder...Flare, ease it back...my airplane"

But seriously I hope he stays safe and has fun. Good luck if he needs it.
 
And his flight instructor.... sorry but not a record at all. Same as me taking a toddler on a ride around the country.

It's not an accomplishment unless you do it. All you.
 
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