Seventeen-year-old Gabriel Carothers has etched his name in history as the youngest African American pilot ever to soar the skies in the United States of America.
Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gabriel recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing his private pilot check ride, marking his place in the record books as the youngest black pilot to fly solo.
Aviation has been Gabriel’s lifelong passion, a love affair that took flight at the tender age of eight. His initial introduction to the world of aviation occurred during an ‘Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles’ event held at the Moriarty Airport in New Mexico, where he was given the chance to take the controls of an aircraft during a flight. This early experience ignited his fascination with flying, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking achievement, Gabriel modestly stated, “I wasn’t really thinking about making history; I was just thinking about flying and doing what I love every day.”
He went on to describe the deep dedication and commitment that have fueled his journey: “I don’t even recognize it, but then it’s days like this that really makes me feel it and reflect on it. The past 4 to 5 years of me training and doing ground school of me waking up in the morning knowing I get to look forward to something like my check ride.”
Gabriel’s passion for aviation led him to delve deeper into the world of aircraft at the young age of 14. He embarked on a journey of self-study, mastering everything from aircraft design to programming, ultimately culminating in the creation of his own flight simulator.
Gabriel attributes his inspiration to his father, Alex Carothers, a retired United States Air Force pilot.
“My father had a family friend who had an airplane that used to fly, so he thought it’d be interesting to take me and my brother up for a flight when we were five and six years old ,just to get a feel for it,” Gabriel recalled, emphasizing the pivotal role his father played in nurturing his passion for aviation.
Gabriel Carothers’ remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the fact that there is no age limit when it comes to achieving extraordinary success. His dedication, hard work, and love for flying have propelled him into the annals of history, inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
SOURCE: scholarshipregion.com