L.A. teenager who flew single-engine plane across the country lands in Compton

Los Angeles Times / latimes.com ^ | July 12, 2009 | My-Thuan Tran

[Niteflyr]

Then it is exactly true when I say a person of 12 years, or younger, can fly a plane with someone else at the dual controls?

But if you are talking legally...the only reason another non-rated person should be "flying the plane" is while receiving dual instruction from a certified flight instructor. If you are not a CFI and going to let your 12 year old daughter handle the controls I wouldn't go bragging about it to the FAA...

[calex59]

Since I have no pilots license at all but know many pilots, I can safely say I am in no danger from the FAA. You are equivocating!

[Niteflyr]

Since I have no pilots license at all but know many pilots, I can safely say I am in no danger from the FAA. You are equivocating!

Not equivocating...just sayin'....:o)

[SeaHawkFan]

Haven’t read all the rules in awhile. Used to be: Take lessons and “LOG” hours at 14, you can take lessons earlier, they just didn’t count toward your license Solo at 16 (then you can go any where your instructor signs off on)
Private license at 17
Commercial at 18

My younger son did all three on his birthdays as you listed. He also got his multi-engine on his 18th birthday and his CFI on his 19th birthday, and started as an airline pilot when he was 21 1/2 years old. Upgraded to capt. when he was 25 and then a check airman when he was 28.

[Niteflyr]

Since I have no pilots license at all but know many pilots, I can safely say I am in no danger from the FAA.

What happens in small general aviation aircraft and what is legal are two different things. That is all I'm saying.

[Niteflyr]

My younger son did all three on his birthdays as you listed. He also got his multi-engine on his 18th birthday and his CFI on his 19th birthday, and started as an airline pilot when he was 21 1/2 years old. Upgraded to capt. when he was 25 and then a check airman when he was 28.

Wow...now THAT should make headlines...I feel so under-accomplished!!...:o)

[ml/nj]

the question was whether she soloed or was pilot in command...or do you have a problem understanding the discussion?

No, Sherlock. I'm not the one who has a problem understanding. I already addressed whether she "soloed" and whether she was PIC. (Neither, in case you missed it.) But that is not what you responded to me about. You specifically said that the black geezer was the safety pilot. You were wrong, and instead of just admitting it you say there was a different question. Maybe you belong on DU? FTR, I am an instrument rated private pilot. I know about these things. And English is my mother tongue. I'm not the one blowing smoke here.

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

“Safety pilot” is the PIC? What of an evaluator pilot. . .doesn’t he perform safety duties?

I don't know much about "evaluator pilot's." I'm not sure what you mean. If you get a check ride for a new rating, currency, biennial, whatever, you're likely to spend sometime under a hood and obviously cannot be PIC then. My understanding, and it's just that, is that if you go up with an instructor in the right seat, he's the PIC the whole time.

ML/NJ

[Niteflyr]

Maybe you belong on DU? FTR, I am an instrument rated private pilot. I know about these things. And English is my mother tongue. I'm not the one blowing smoke here.

Single and mulit rated here...and IA-A&P...and don't tell me where to go...it's a free country...at least until Obama is done with it...

[Niteflyr]

I am an instrument rated private pilot. I know about these things. And English is my mother tongue.

[3niner]

“Safety pilot” was a term used by the reporter. To avoid confusing people, I copied the usage. In this context, the child would have been flying with a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor).

[ml/nj]

Hey Putz! You say stupid things here on FR, especially to me, and you're going to get called on it. If you don't like it, then go find someplace else to play.

ML/NJ

[3niner]

What you wrote was “I find it very interesting that a person can get a pilots license at 12 years of age...”. This is simply not true, a 12 year old can fly a plane (with a CFI at the other set of controls), but a child must be 16 before they can solo, and they would have to be licensed (17 years old) before they would be allowed to solo across the country.

[Niteflyr]

Hey Putz! You say stupid things here on FR, especially to me, and you're going to get called on it. If you don't like it, then go find someplace else to play. ML/NJ

Shakin' in my boots Paco...LOL!

[calex59]

I changed it later. Read all my comments please.

[Niteflyr]

I am an instrument rated private pilot. I know about these things.

Geez...guy get's his instrument in a 150 and he thinks he's frikken god....LOL!

[Niteflyr]

40-year private single/mulit (Beech 18) AP with IA...gen av repair business owner....I think I know a few things too...;o)

[3niner]

Well, that's really stupid! I responded to something you wrote, then you "changed it later", and feel that you can criticize me for responding to what you wrote, before you "changed it".

On what planet do those rules make sense?

[Niteflyr]

Well, that's really stupid! I responded to something you wrote, then you "changed it later", and feel that you can criticize me for responding to what you wrote, before you "changed it". On what planet do those rules make sense?

Ever notice how these aviation stories bring out the armchair experts and basic garden variety wackjobs? Same thing happens every time!

[3niner]

Oh yes. People get all excited about children flying, without understanding that the child is never in charge.

People get all freaked out about the dangers of flying while ignoring the superior safety record of aircraft. Even light aircraft (flown by amateurs) have a much lower accident rate than automobiles, in spite of the fact that it requires more skill to fly an aircraft safely.

If drivers were required to demonstrate even 1/10th of the skilled required to get a pilots license, there would be far fewer automobile accidents (and less cars on the road). If you screw up in a car, you are far more likely to injure or kill someone not in your vehicle, than is the case with a light aircraft.