While most people are excited to get their driver’s licenses when they reach 16 years old, a Port St. Lucie teenager had higher aspirations.
Ava Shelly was gearing up to become the youngest female pilot to complete three solo flights.
At 10 years old, Shelly was already learning aviation through her late grandfather.
“He was an airline pilot, so for my 10 birthday, he got me a Discovery Flight, and ever since, I kind of stayed hooked,” she said.
Her grandfather was accomplished in the cockpit.
“He was also triple-rated, so he had his helicopter, glider and pilot’s license,” Shelly said.
She idolized her grandpa and wanted to become triple-rated, so at 13, she embarked on her aviation journey in his honor.
“I soloed the Cirrus SR20 and then I proceeded to do a check right on the glider Schweizer 2-33A,” she said. “I also soloed a helicopter.”
WPTVNow at 16, the aspiring pilot credits her grandfather for guiding her to her dream but thanks her mentor and instructor, Chase Gregory, for helping fulfill her dream.