Vance T. Robinson, a sophomore at Serra High School in Gardena, will be flying high on his birthday and Valentine's Day by executing his first solo flight at Hawthorne Municipal Airport. And he's not wasting any time: Feb. 14 marks his 16th birthday, the age that student pilots in the United States are first allowed to take flight on their own.
His proud grandfather, George Varnadoe, Jr., will be there to cheer him on.
"It's going to be a very historic event because you don't find too many 16 year olds, especially from the inner city, embarking on a solo flight," Varnadoe said.
Varnadoe said his grandson is calm and collected as his takeoff at approximately noon quickly approaches.
"He's playing this off as if he's a seasoned pilot. To be honest, I'm more excited than he is. He's more than prepared."
Robinson began training when he was 14 at Beach Cities Aviation Academy in Hawthorne. He has logged more than 100 hours in the air and is on track to get his pilot's license by 17 and become a flight instructor by 18. The dream is to become a commercial pilot.
And it certainly seems as if he has the support system to achieve that dream.
Varnadoe, with whom Robinson lives, is the CEO and founder of U-Turn Alcohol and Drug Education Program, a business that counsels anyone 12 and up.
"My job was to help him navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence. The ages between 12 and 17… that's a very delicate age. He's not involved in drugs, he's not gang affiliated… he's building up a resume," Varnadoe said. "Whatever your mind can conceive, you will achieve."
Robinson's goal to reach the sky was triggered by a flight to Chicago he took with his grandfather when he was 10.
Varnadoe said he anticipates local politicians to join him in the wings alongside Robinson's grandmother, mother, family and friends. According to Varnadoe, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks promised a second certificate of recognition following the last one he presented to Robinson at the Taste of Soul Festival in Los Angeles in October.
The celebration will continue at ground level afterward.
"My wife and I may take him out to dinner," Varnadoe said.
