He walks around the Cessna 172N Skyhawk, checking every instrument. He checks the weather radar and, when it’s safe, takes off, enjoying the distant view of the city. Senior Bowen Knox started flying in May 2025 with Spinks Flight Center in Burleson. He drew inspiration from a family friend who works as a pilot for American Airlines. 

“[I enjoy] the knowledge that comes with it, and it’s a cool thing to get into,” Knox said. “I also really enjoy just the adventure and the freedom of it. There’s nothing quite like it. You’re just kind of doing your own thing, and it’s beautiful.”

In school, Knox holds a position on the varsity golf team, where he dedicates his time to daily practices and frequent tournaments. He also maintains a part-time job, working multiple days after school. 

“The most challenging part is the discipline when it comes to my own schedule,” Knox said. “I have a pretty busy schedule, so finding the time to study because knowledge is really important, there’s a lot you need to know. So finding the time to study, scheduling with my instructor, that’s all on my own.”

Through time in the cockpit, Knox built a strong relationship with his flight instructor, Michael Somerville. They work together to ensure the flight goes smoothly, and in moments of quiet, catch up on the latest sports news. 

“He’s a really nice guy. He’s smart. He picked up flying pretty quickly. He’s a great pilot,” Somerville said. “I always enjoy it whenever he texts saying that he wants to get on the schedule and get a flight done. It’s really enjoyable to me because I get to see all of his progression.”

Somerville believes Knox’s strongest quality shows in his positive attitude and willingness to learn. He recognizes Knox’s eagerness to determine the “why” behind every part of flying. From pre-flight to landing, he acts with certainty in his skill. 

“[Since he started,] he’s a lot more confident. His landings have gotten a lot better. He’s just a lot more knowledgeable about what it is like to be a pilot, flying general aviation,” Somerville said. “When we’re walking out to the plane, and we’re doing pre-flight, you could tell that he’s not questioning everything he’s doing. He knows the correct procedures and why we do them.”

After earning a student pilot certificate, an endorsement from his instructor and passing a pre-solo knowledge test, Knox was set to complete a solo flight. During his second solo, he was forced to abort as another aircraft experienced an emergency landing. With no instructor and about 40 miles from home, it was up to Knox to land safely. 

“During that moment, it was scary just because I knew I couldn’t have done anything to help him fly the plane, but it was just all up to him to make the correct decisions,” Somerville said. “Bowen, having been through his training, knew exactly what to do. And he did a great job doing the right thing.”

Following graduation, Knox plans to attend college and earn a degree in an aviation program. He hopes to earn the rest of his ratings and eventually become a commercial pilot.

“I really hope that he gets to progress with his aviation career,” Somerville said. “I know he has dreams of pursuing it in college and eventually becoming an airline pilot. So, I just really hope to just watch him grow as a person, as an aviator and as a pilot. I can’t wait to see what the future has for him.”

On Feb. 16, Knox passed his check ride, officially earning a Private Pilot’s License. The check ride served as a final exam, consisting of a four-hour oral section and a three-hour flight. Knox focused on his training and growing his knowledge of aviation to prepare for the exam.

“I try to remember that it’s all my training, so I know what I’m capable of,” Knox said. “I know that when there’s something that I need to figure out and make a decision on, there’s always pressure in knowing that I need to make the right decision. I just know that I can fall back on what I’ve already learned.”

Fuel pump on, windows and doors secured, landing lights on as senior Jackson Sant enters the runway to takeoff in his Piper Cherokee plane. 

“Growing up and seeing my uncle fly, I knew it was something I wanted to do because of how I looked up to him,” Sant said. “It wasn’t until summer 2024 that I got serious about wanting to get my license and start flying that I fully committed to it.”

In June 2024, Sant went on a discovery flight where he flew with a certified instructor to get familiar with all aviation basics. 

“The discovery flight allows you to see the dedication needed to flying before you fully commit to it,” Sant said. “It was after that flight that I decided it wasn’t just a fun hobby, but I wanted it to be my lifelong commitment and passion, so I started to look up flight training and colleges.”

Sant began flight training in May 2025, where he completed ground training and a minimum of 40 total flight hours, including 20 with an instructor and 10 solo hours.  

“It takes a lot of hours in the plane and the classroom learning everything about the rules and the regulations of the FAA,” Sant said. “Flight training was rough for sure, but thankfully it was really rewarding and luckily it came very naturally to me.”

To obtain a Private Pilot’s License, students must pass a written test of 60 multiple-choice questions and a checkride with an FAA examiner. In the checkride, students receive an oral exam, testing their aviation knowledge and a flight test where the student is tested on safety, control and critical thinking skills.  

“The checkride takes a lot of preparation and studying of material and flight reviews,” Sant said. “I was very nervous going into it, but I think it went fairly well.”

Sant attributes his success to his flight instructor, Kevin McCall. McCall became Sant’s flight instructor in the summer of 2025 and believes he came into the flight school already very knowledgeable in aviation. 

“Jackson had already been flying Microsoft Flight Simulator a lot at home, and you could tell it showed and helped a lot,” McCall said. “He already had a really good baseline of aviation, but aside from that, he seems like he’s just always consuming material inside and outside of the plane.”

McCall began instructing aviation two years ago and believes the biggest lesson any person going into aviation will learn is patience because of the extent of knowledge one must learn to fly.  

“There can be a lot of ups and downs because it can be a very long and daunting process to become a commercial pilot,” McCall said. “Progress doesn’t always look linear, but it’s important to continue to remain patient throughout the whole process.” 

After high school, Sant plans on attending Embry-Riddle University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science-Flight with a minor in Air Traffic Control.

“Entering the aviation job market with a degree from a part 141 flight school will ensure you are considered for the top jobs in the industry,” Sant said. “I’m eager to not only learn to fly, but to gain skills in leadership and critical thinking that Embry-Riddle teaches.”

True hard work and commitment is what it’s taken for senior Dave Lopez to work to earn his private pilot license. Lopez was born in the Philippines and grew up in Abu Dhabi, so traveling’s always been a big part of his life growing up.

“I would say the hardest part of trying to fly planes is staying consistent,” Lopez said. “It’s hard to balance out flying planes with school, sports and other hobbies I have.”

Lopez plans to pursue his commercial and flight instructor license, but he does not want to attend college and major in the aviation management field.

“From the outside, flying planes looks like a lot of fun, but there is a lot that people don’t see,” Lopez said. “There is a lot of studying and dedication you have to put in, like the radio communications and the maps and charts you have to study.”

To earn a private pilot’s license, it is required that you have 40 flight hours and Lopez currently holds 28.

“I think it is hard trying to balance getting my hours with school and work,” Lopez said. “However, I think if you have the passion for it you can find a way to get it done.”

Lopez’s mentor Anthokira Izelu-Dobbs explained that out of 1,400 applicants, only 300 of them got accepted into the flight school, and Lopez was one of the students selected.                                                     

“When I first saw Dave, I saw someone who was very confident, observant and serious,” Izelu-Dobbs said. “After getting to know him and knowing his involvement as a captain of his hockey team, it was evident of his leadership ability.”

Dobbs said Lopez quickly developed into a confident and poised pilot.

“As a pilot, you need to be confident, a great listener and someone who can make a decision on the fly,” Dobbs said. “Those qualities he obtained leading the hockey team transferred to the cockpit.”

Lopez first started flying planes in February 2025, so he’s still learning and growing as a young pilot.

“When it comes to studying the planes and being committed, it does not seem like much fun,” Lopez said. “However, I will gladly put in the commitment and wake up early for a morning flight.”