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When Carson King stepped onto the tarmac at Troy Regional Airport, it wasn’t the first time he’d flown a plane. But, it would be the first time he flew a plane alone. 

King is part of Pike County School’s First in Flight and Leadership Academy and was at the airport for his first solo flight. 

“I like to think I’m confident in everything I do,” King said. “But, I was a little bit nervous. If something went wrong, it was all on me. It was a beautiful day for flying. I knew I could get off the ground, but getting back on the ground is harder. I felt like the solo flight was a long time in coming, but I was ready for it.”

King said he had around 75 flights under his belt and had been practicing landing. He said landing was more difficult because a pilot can’t see the wheels. So, he said you had to really be able to “feel” when the wheels were going to touch the ground in order to transition from flying to landing. 

King was able to complete his solo flight and said he’s shooting to receive his private pilot’s license through the First in Flight Academy sometime this spring. 

Jeff McClure, Pike County Schools Assistant to the Superintendent, said the First in Flight and Leadership Academy was a partnership between Pike County Schools, Troy University and Skywarrior Flight Training School in Pensacola, Fla. McClure said there was a shortage of aviators in the area because not as many pilots were mustering out of the military anymore. So, McClure said the objective of the program was to provide a leadership centered academy that included flight training. Students that complete the program receive an associate degree of science in general education. 

McClure said to date, 26 students had entered the program with eight receiving a pilot’s license and another two completing instrument certification. 

King said he plans to continue flying and has his sights set on getting his instrument certification next year. He said flying during the day, pilots rely on landmarks to get to their destination. But, at night or in poor weather, pilots have to rely on instruments to get to their destination. 

As for the future, King has no plans set in stone just yet. 

“I’m considering getting more licensing and I’m also considering going into airport management,” King said. “But I’m not sure where life is going to take me right now.”