Las Vegas 16-year-old completes his first solo flight

Ajouté : 2026-05-24

[00:00:02]Getting ready to flip the switch on a dream. How long in the making? About 4 years now.

[00:00:09]Yeah, since I was 12. You nervous? I think I'm more nervous for this interview.

[00:00:14]One last run-through. Also checking to make sure that those there's no bird's nest in there. Before his first solo adventure in the skies. Make sure nothing's blocking the static port that would mess with my instruments. George Kingman.

[00:00:30]I'm George Kingman the fourth. He's George Kingman the fifth. George G5 Kingman started his sweet 16 by spreading his wings. Initially wanting to join the Navy, being diagnosed with celiac disease made him pivot from military to commercial flying. I knew he's always been super smart. Uh but what's really been impressive is how he has become so driven. It's refreshing to see a student that is that excited about aviation. George gives a lot of credit to Westair Flight Training and Rancho High School's Aviation Magnet Program for helping him soar at such a young age. It's a tremendous opportunity for students we recruit across the country.

[00:01:10]You have to have a certain mindset to come out and get into an airplane and fly by yourself on your 16th birthday.

[00:01:16]>> It's my understanding that he doesn't even have his uh driver's license yet.

[00:01:19]So, that's uh it's pretty cool to be able to solo an airplane before you legally can drive by yourself.

[00:01:28]Hey, BUDDY.

[00:01:30]>> [screaming] >> HOW was it, man? It was awesome. It's really freeing to be 1,000 ft off the ground, you know, and it's a dream to you respect pilots so much. They take care of your safety and make sure you get to the right place at the right time. I have more confidence in flying than I ever did before.

[00:01:50]But uh if anybody can do it, he can do it. Evan Leake, Fox 5 News, local Las Vegas.