Student describes path to pilot's license, credits EAA chapter and scholarship

A student featured in the Lake County Schools "Grama Blueprint" video said an early class project in third grade sparked an interest in aviation that has stayed with them through high school.

"Right now I'm working on my pilot's license at the airport here," the student said, describing participation in an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter that builds kit planes and a Young Eagles flight experience. They said the EAA membership and a scholarship "will pay for my flight training at least through my private pilot's license." The student added that the earliest you can solo on a student license is 16.

The student described applying to the U.S. Naval Academy, Georgia Tech and Embry-Riddle and said they plan to study aerospace engineering and attend Officer Candidate School if needed. They noted local practice flights at airports, and that emergency-service helicopters (AdventHealth and Volusia County Sheriff's helicopters) operate in the same training patterns.

The account in the video is a personal description of a student's pathway and does not represent a district policy change or program adoption.