Jackson Schaffer

SENIOR YEAR Soaring Through

Senior Jackson Schaffer finds his passion for flying while working for his pilot’s license Natalie Lindmark reporter

Most high school seniors are currently caught up in a whirlwind of big decisions, anticipation and being able to have one last time for high school shenanigans. However, one senior has a different focus in mind. Jackson Schaffer is devoting his senior year to getting his pilot’s license.

After turning 18, Schaffer decided to pursue his lifelong interest in flying.

“Flying has always been something that I wanted to do. When I was a kid and Air Force or military planes would fly over, I would freak out,” Schaffer said. “My grandfather was in the Air Force and he’s been a big influence on me. He’s the whole reason I’m getting my private pilot’s license now because I’m also going to go to the Air Force after college.” Schaffer plans to attend Oklahoma State University and participate in their flying program, but he has some preparation to do before he leaves and his career, quite literally, takes off.

“The specifications for a private pilot license is 40 hours of flight time and 20 hours of ground school,” Schaffer said. “I try and fly as much as possible and schedule as many flights as I can.” Schaffer attempts to navigate his busy schedule between school and flying. He wants to fly as much as possible while also upholding his other commitments and participating in school activities. “You’re

constantly calculating where you are, what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.” Schaffer said

“Usually about an hour a day is what I’m shooting for. I’ve been flying every day for the past couple weeks,” Schaffer said. “Training has been tough with not only having to go to school but playing sports and having other commitments in the community. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of late nights studying.”

It is a struggle balancing flying with the other aspects of his life and Schaffer said he realizes that flying isn’t always fun and games.

“It’s not just like driving a car. You’re constantly calculating where you are, what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. It’s a lot of numbers and I’ve never been really good at math,” Schaffer said. “ We calculate air speeds by hand and find directions using old paper maps. There’s a lot of new technology that we get to use but you got to learn the old stuff first. That’s probably been the biggest challenge.”

As busy as Schaffer’s senior year has been, he said he wouldn’t trade this experience and feeling of flying for the world.

“The best part is absolutely that feeling you get right when the wheels leave the ground,” Schaffer said. “I remember my very first flight that I was the pilot in command. Right when the wheels left the ground I remember freaking out and getting really scared that I was in command of this plane. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, this isn’t what I want to do.’ Then, once we got off the ground, everything was so calm and it was one of the greatest feelings of my whole life.”