Cleveland Central Student Recognized for Solo Flight

Cason Brinkley, a junior at Cleveland Central High School, was recognized by the Mississippi State Board of Education for his first solo flight. At age 16, this flight earns Cason the distinction of being among the youngest in Mississippi to solo a plane. Along with his exploits in flying, Cason is also a distinguished student, having a 3.82 GPA and serving as elected class president for the Class of 2026. His accomplishments in aviation are also accompanied by the Mississippi Department of

Education working to add aviation to the state’s Career and Technical Education curriculum. This will allow students to receive high-level aviation skills. This program will be implemented to CTE programs in the 2025-26 school year. An aviation program will give students in Mississippi the opportunity to excel in flying like Cason, who will apply to the youth aviation program at the Auburn University School of Aviation where he aspires to earn his professional flight degree.