New Altitudes
Senior Jose Gonzalez’s love of flying has led him to obtain his own pilot license and fly across Florida BY ALEXANDER BRAZDA, STAFF WRITER
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LUE SUNNY SKIES AND SMALL white clouds encompass the airplane as it soars through the air at thrilling speeds. This is a comforting view for senior Jose Gonzalez while he sits in the cockpit, hands on the controls. For Gonzalez, a combination of skill and dedication helped achieve his life-long goal of getting his pilot’s license. Gonzalez first began taking flight lessons at 15 years old but took an interest in flying when he was eight. He vividly remembers going to the airport with his father, where they would watch airplanes fly through the air. When they would go on flights, Gonzalez would eagerly ask to explore the cockpit and speak to the pilots. Gonzalez learned to fly for the first time with a private flying instructor who taught him the basics of how to fly a plane, including how to get the plane into the air and how to land it. He believes one-on-one lessons were a
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HOME TALK
The highlights staff records what students are talking about during online class sessions.
more effective learning method considering he could go at his own pace and focus completely on improving his abilities. After a hiatus of a little over a year, he started receiving lessons from a new instructor at Miami Executive Airport this past summer and he practiced every day. He has flown to places all across Florida such as Marco Island, Key West, Cape Canaveral and Naples. “I do not think flying comes naturally. Once you start doing it and practicing it, you can feel like you are really good at it, but there is always room to improve,” Gonzalez said. “I would never have been the pilot I am today with all the stuff I have learned If I did not practice.” When he flew by himself for the first time, he was thrilled to see his dreams take off as a pilot, but also nervous to be up in the air completely by himself. When he flies, he is able to experience the world from a different angle — both physically and metaphorically. Gonzalez’s only bad experience while flying so far was when he got caught in bad weather, forcing him to reroute from Miami Executive Airport to the Opa-Locka airport. However, he turned this negative experience into a learning opportunity, teaching him that safety is the number one priority before he takes off. Gonzalez has decided to pursue his dreams of piloting further. As a senior, he has already applied to colleges, many of which are aviation schools where he can focus most of his time becoming a pilot. Subsequently, Gonzalez hopes to be recognized for obtaining his
private pilot’s license at such a young age compared to everyone else. He has already begun preparing for the long-term future of becoming an airline pilot. “I am very proud of this accomplishment because I know first hand that flying a plane is not for everybody and that it takes a special dedicated individual with nerves of steel to do this,” Gonzalez’s father, Jose Gonzalez said. Gonzalez’s biggest inspiration is his father who he believes to be his number one supporter. Like his son, Gonzalez’s father had an interest in flying at a young age and earned his pilot’s license. However, he thought of flying as more of an interesting hobby than a career choice. His father has aided him throughout the long process of dedication and hard work towards getting his license. Through the constant encouragement of his friends and family, he was able to reach his goal and believes anyone can do the same. “Flying an airplane is like strapping on your own pair of wings and you can go almost anywhere in the world,” Gonzalez said. “It is all about safety, dedication and perseverance.” While Gonzalez has practiced nonstop and made plans for the future, he acknowledges that this is a very difficult career choice and he will have to prove his abilities to become a pilot. As a 17-year-old who seems to have his career path already planned out, he hopes to inspire the younger generation of curious minds similar to how his father inspired him. h
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“LinkedIn is the dating app for Type-A people.”
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“Mom, can you please be nicer to me? This is my first pandemic.”
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