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Meet Jonathan Strickland...14yr old pilot.

B

BootneckYank

Banned
Don't know whether this really belongs in CA, but...

For those of us worried about the youth of today, there is hope: A 14yr old boy from one of the worst parts of LA (Compton), becomes youngest ever to solo in a helicopter and an airplane, in the same day:

Jonathan Strickland
 
Well done that young man..

I don't wish to detract from his achievements but, it obviously pays to come from a disadvantaged background. Ordinary people couldn't afford that...
 
Good effort but seriously - I always thought you had to be a certain age before you would be allowed to get a licence. I mean, he couldn't get a licence for driving a car until 16 so how can he be allowed to fly solo?

SF
 
SILVER_FOX said:
Good effort but seriously - I always thought you had to be a certain age before you would be allowed to get a licence. I mean, he couldn't get a licence for driving a car until 16 so how can he be allowed to fly solo?

SF
Click to expand...

In the US he can't. He and his instructor flew to British Colombia, where the age is 14. In the US (last time I checked) you can begin training at any age, but solo only at 16, and become licensed at 17.

Dohby_bucket is right, of course. If he hadn't been an inner-city kid on a special program, he never would have had the opportunity. But I'm all in favour of programs like this. Without it, he would have more than likely become just another Compton gang-banger, and maybe dead before age 20.
 
BootneckYank said:
SILVER_FOX said:
Good effort but seriously - I always thought you had to be a certain age before you would be allowed to get a licence. I mean, he couldn't get a licence for driving a car until 16 so how can he be allowed to fly solo?

SF
Click to expand...

In the US he can't. He and his instructor flew to British Colombia, where the age is 14. In the US (last time I checked) you can begin training at any age, but solo only at 16, and become licensed at 17.

Dohby_bucket is right, of course. If he hadn't been an inner-city kid on a special program, he never would have had the opportunity. But I'm all in favour of programs like this. Without it, he would have more than likely become just another Compton gang-banger, and maybe dead before age 20.
Click to expand...

Thats fine however it sends out the wrong message to good kids. Think I'll steal a few cars, rob a few shops & smoke some pot. Then maybe I'll get my pilots licnce :evil:
 
slim said:
BootneckYank said:
SILVER_FOX said:
Good effort but seriously - I always thought you had to be a certain age before you would be allowed to get a licence. I mean, he couldn't get a licence for driving a car until 16 so how can he be allowed to fly solo?

SF
Click to expand...

In the US he can't. He and his instructor flew to British Colombia, where the age is 14. In the US (last time I checked) you can begin training at any age, but solo only at 16, and become licensed at 17.

Dohby_bucket is right, of course. If he hadn't been an inner-city kid on a special program, he never would have had the opportunity. But I'm all in favour of programs like this. Without it, he would have more than likely become just another Compton gang-banger, and maybe dead before age 20.
Click to expand...

Thats fine however it sends out the wrong message to good kids. Think I'll steal a few cars, rob a few shops & smoke some pot. Then maybe I'll get my pilots licnce :evil:
Click to expand...

It doesn't work like that, slim. the idea is to get them before they start going bad. And they have to keep their noses clean to stay in the program. They also have to "pay" for their flight time by working around the airport. So it's not exactly giving them a free ride.
 
slim said:
OK Bootneck Yank
Then how many normal kids have been allowed to join the program?
Click to expand...

Once a cynic, always a cynic, eh?
OK, you got me there. This program was designed around underpriveleged, minority kids.
For the "normal" kids, there is always the Experimental Aircraft assn's "Young Eagles" program, that encourages kids from all walks of life to develop an interest in aviation.
General aviation in the US is trying to reach out and expand. Hell, they even have Veterans programs for used up dorks like me.
 
BootneckYank said:
slim said:
OK Bootneck Yank
Then how many normal kids have been allowed to join the program?
Click to expand...

Once a cynic, always a cynic, eh?
OK, you got me there. This program was designed around underpriveleged, minority kids.
For the "normal" kids, there is always the Experimental Aircraft assn's "Young Eagles" program, that encourages kids from all walks of life to develop an interest in aviation.
General aviation in the US is trying to reach out and expand. Hell, they even have Veterans programs for used up dorks like me.
Click to expand...

Bet this interest doesn't end with a pilots licence.
These days underprivilidged kids are more privlidged than the good kids.
 
Well he's shown a tremendous aptitude for aviation at that age, how many hours did he do before first solo?

He wants to fly 747's? Wait till he gets to 16 , he'll want to punch holes in the sky :D

Well done him.
 
Thats fine however it sends out the wrong message to good kids. Think I'll steal a few cars, rob a few shops & smoke some pot. Then maybe I'll get my pilots licnce :evil:[/quote]

I know what you mean one of my mates couldn't get a job. He ended up getting into a fight and getting done with GBH and his probation officer got him a job and he is also been sent on a 5 day boat trip round scotland for as part of his reabilitaion program.
 
Lucky git - I had to pay thousands to learn to fly.

Bring back national service - teach respect for others, self respect, discipline (does all this still happen in HM armed forces?)

Would also cut down the number of homeless, unemployment, crime, probation, etc. boost numbers of staff available in the armed services...need I go on?
 
I have no problem with this kind of initiative, it shows hope. And for those poor disadvantaged good kids, I am pretty sure they are 'good' for a reason - integrity, discipline etc

Good effort lad
 
boredwafu said:
I have no problem with this kind of initiative, it shows hope. And for those poor disadvantaged good kids, I am pretty sure they are 'good' for a reason - integrity, discipline etc

Good effort lad
Click to expand...

EXACTLY
The whole point of this program is to get these kids before they take to the streets, and totaly f@ck themselves.
It's not about giving gang-bangers a free handout.

PTP: It didn't say how many hours he logged before solo, but I believe the minimums are still 20-solo, 40-license. I soloed at 16, with 22.5 hrs, and got my license at 17 with 50 hrs :oops:
 

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