Soaring Through School

Soaring Through School

Story by Angel Wood, Shadow Ridge High School Journalism student

Some may be afraid of heights, but for Shadow Ridge High School Senior Jordan Mirafuentes, 4,500 feet above the grids of the earth provides him with the feeling of tranquility. While the engine roars and the radio quietly chatters, Mirafuentes sees what the land goers can not, miles and miles of clear blue sky and sunbaked scenery. Since his sophomore year, Mirafuentes has been a student pilot at Glendale Municipal Airport. Now as a senior, Mirafuentes continues to navigate the path towards being a successful pilot, student, and son. At an early age, Mirafuentes was introduced to the world of aviation by his father who retired from the military as a pilot. “My dad would always use pilot terms and vocabulary. I got interested in that, so he introduced me to the Air Force,” said Mirafuentes. Through this introduction, he met many pilots and got up and close with the aircraft he dreamed of flying in. “It was amazing, and it sparked what I wanted to do going forward,” said Mirafuentes. His dreams turned into a reality as he experienced his first flight with his father at age 10. “I got to sit in the co-pilot’s seat with my dad in the pilot-in-command seat,” said Mirafuentes. During that experience, he watched how his father performed in the air knowing that one day, he would be following in his father’s footsteps. “The hook for me was when my dad let me take control of the aircraft. It was out of this world and so fulfilling,” said Mirafuentes. He recalls this moment as “memorable” because it was his first time realizing that he wanted to be a pilot.

As a student pilot at Glendale Municipal Airport, Mirafuentes has been able to work one-on-one with a flight instructor who teaches him how to fly, how to get out of dangerous situations, and how to be safe. To become a pilot, the student must pass the written exam, complete a solo, and successfully fly in the check-out ride. Mirafuentes has completed the first two steps and hopes to complete his cross country flight next, which includes flying more than 50 miles. After this achievement, he plans to receive his license.

Through his three years of flight school, Mirafuentes has learned many things that will not only help him while in the air but also on the grounds of life, one being timemanagement. “Being a pilot is an out of school thing and I have to make time for it, but I tell myself to keep pursuing it because it has been my life dream to become a pilot,” said Mirafuentes.

Other things he has learned require practice before perfect performance is made possible. “The hardest part of flying is talking on the radios. There’s a lot of terms that I am not familiar with, but over time, I will be able to pick it up,” said Mirafuentes.

Jordan Mirafuentes smiles from the cockpit before taking off on his first solo flight. He flew for two hours in the Glendale airspace.

With a whole world of aviation facts, precautions, vocabulary, and instructions, “there’s a lot of things I still have to learn. Flying is easy but talking is a little bit challenging,” said Mirafuentes. At the end of the day,

Mirafuentes has been able to soar past his challenges as he reflects on his goals and dreams. “What makes it all worth it is making my parents proud and continuing with my passion,” said Mirafuentes.

Shadow Ridge High School’s future pilot plans to attend the ROTC program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall. By doing so, he aims to get commissioned as an officer to receive a fighter pilot slot in the Air Force. “I’d really like to become a fighter pilot because my dad got the opportunity, but it was sadly taken away from him because of his eyesight. I’d like to take up the torch for him,” said Mirafuentes.

Soaring 4,500 feet in the air above, Mirafuentes flies without fear of the world beneath him. In the cockpit of his plane, he clears the clouds blocking his view.

“I use flying as a stress reliever because it helps me calm down, and it takes my mind off of things that I have to do,” said Mirafuentes. With miles and miles of clear blue sky and sun-baked scenery, “it’s just me, the airplane, and open sky.”

Jordan Mirafuentes celebrates with his mom, Trisha, and dad, Akoni, after getting accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.