Remember how exciting it was to turn 16 and be able to drive by yourself for the first time and probably how nervous your parents were about the idea?
Now, think about flying an airplane by yourself. That's how one local teen is spending his 16th birthday.
While most teens dream of taking a car out for the first time, Mike Komin has his sights set quite a bit higher.
"A little nervous, but I've been waiting for this for awhile. I've pretty much been raised out here, and I've been out here since I was five," said Mike.
As a kid, Mike says he practically grew up at the airport.
His parents owned a business on the grounds and Mike says the hangars were like his own backyard. So, when he asked his parents if he could get a pilot's license, it wasn't a surprise.
"The kids would come out here in the summertime and run up and down the airport and hang out. Mikey has a job at Massey Aviation and would pick up rides all the time," said Roxann Komin, Mike's mother.
But, pilots say seeing someone so young getting ready to fly solo is rare.
The time and dedication it takes to learn to fly isn't something that keeps most teenager's attention.
But, not for Mike.
"A lot of kids shift their focus from time to time or they play video games all the time, and they don't get out and learn something," said pilot Steve Hinton. "And, there's a lot of aspects to flying, but he's interested in it and loves aviation."
"The environment out here is so awesome, and all the people, they all have their pilot's license, and I've always wanted to be like them," said Mike.
And soon, Mike will take big step toward that goal, when the wheels get off the ground and there's no instructor in the passenger seat. Definitely not a typical way to spend a 16th birthday.
"I'll be able to fly a plane by myself before I can drive a car by myself," said Mike. His solo flight of three takeoffs and landings is scheduled for Thursday evening.
He's working toward getting his pilot's license when he's eligible at 17.
Now, think about flying an airplane by yourself. That's how one local teen is spending his 16th birthday.
While most teens dream of taking a car out for the first time, Mike Komin has his sights set quite a bit higher.
"A little nervous, but I've been waiting for this for awhile. I've pretty much been raised out here, and I've been out here since I was five," said Mike.
As a kid, Mike says he practically grew up at the airport.
His parents owned a business on the grounds and Mike says the hangars were like his own backyard. So, when he asked his parents if he could get a pilot's license, it wasn't a surprise.
"The kids would come out here in the summertime and run up and down the airport and hang out. Mikey has a job at Massey Aviation and would pick up rides all the time," said Roxann Komin, Mike's mother.
But, pilots say seeing someone so young getting ready to fly solo is rare.
The time and dedication it takes to learn to fly isn't something that keeps most teenager's attention.
But, not for Mike.
"A lot of kids shift their focus from time to time or they play video games all the time, and they don't get out and learn something," said pilot Steve Hinton. "And, there's a lot of aspects to flying, but he's interested in it and loves aviation."
"The environment out here is so awesome, and all the people, they all have their pilot's license, and I've always wanted to be like them," said Mike.
And soon, Mike will take big step toward that goal, when the wheels get off the ground and there's no instructor in the passenger seat. Definitely not a typical way to spend a 16th birthday.
"I'll be able to fly a plane by myself before I can drive a car by myself," said Mike. His solo flight of three takeoffs and landings is scheduled for Thursday evening.
He's working toward getting his pilot's license when he's eligible at 17.