JUNIOR CAYDEN Sparks wants to fly After high school, Sparks plans to apply to the United States Air Force Academy and later join the Air Force.
“Ever since sixth grade, I picked up a book in the library, one of those ones with the pictures of airplanes, I thought it was so neat, and that’s what really sparked my interest,” Sparks said.
Sparks will earn his pilots license through the military and wants to fly C-17s, large cargo planes, and then hopes to move his way up to Air Force One.
“C-17s four engine cargo planes,” Sparks said. “Yeah, huge planes.”
Spark’s parents support his choice to join the Air Force, but he said naturally his mom is a little nervous about him going into the military.
Sparks will have to go through schooling, testing and lots of practice before he can.
Chris Langenderfer, a flight instructor at St. Charles Flying Service, said to earn a pilot’s license, they require 36 hours of ground school and then a minimum of 40 hours flight time.
Applicants then have to pass a three part test in order to get their license.; A written test, a flight evaluation, and an oral exam covering the controls of the plane.
In school students learn basic aerodynamics, the air space system, and weather regulations.
“That’s the kind of stuff you learn on the ground,” Langenderfer said.  “In the airplane you’re just putting that to practice.”
While one has to be at least 16 to fly solo and 17 to get a pilot’s license, there’s no minimum age to start flying.
Langenderfer said most people who are
capable of driving, with enough practice, will be able to get it eventually.
“Once you’re a pilot it’s like you’re in the club,” Langenderfer said. “Your part of that big
community.”