“Lots of components.” 

That’s how senior Brooks Hoyt describes what it’s like to fly an airplane.

Hoyt has been working for a year and a half to earn his pilot’s license. He mentions that becoming a pilot has been a lifelong dream for him.

“It was my grandfather, he inspired me. He built RC gliders back in Colorado and flew me in them when I was 6,” he said.

Hoyt has attended training at Elite Aviation, located at the Spirit of St.Louis airport in Chesterfield. He began his training in the summer of 2020. The process to become a pilot takes around 6 months, but due to the crazy weather in the Midwest, it took Hoyt around a year and a half to complete.

“If you don’t live in the Midwest, it should take 6 months. For me it took about a year and a half due to weather delay,” he said.

There are a lot of different components that go into piloting an airplane. Hoty mentions that in order to become a pilot, you must have a strong understanding of these procedures.

“Lots of components. [There is a] ground portion and fly portion. Ground portion you learn about fly theory and fly portion you learn how to fly and how to handle different situations and emergencies,” he said.

Flying can be daunting at times, especially the first time you go up in a plane.

“Of course, aviation is full of a bunch of different variables and they can put you in a bunch of difficult situations. But you have to remain confident while doing it,” he said.

But piloting isn’t all hard work, Hoyt mentions one of his favorite moments while flying. 

“From here to Jefferson City and back. It’s 150 miles. One time it took an hour and a half to get there and 20 minutes to get back due to the wind going toward St. Louis. The second time it took 45 minutes there and back,” he said.

The pilot license that Hoyt has earned only allows him to fly planes for recreational purposes.

“I can’t fly to make profit yet, so I won’t be flying large planes right now,” he said.

Hoyt brings up what he plans to do with flying in the future.

“I want to go into commercial airlines. I want to fly people around the world and fly transcontinental. I want to take people to Europe and Asia,” he said.

Hoyt will have to wait until he’s able to take people out of the country.

“With certain limitations, I can fly anywhere in the United States and take friends and family with me. I can’t fly into Canada or other countries,” he said.

Obtaining a pilot’s license was just the first step, Hoyt will need to earn a college degree in aviation.

“I plan on going to college for aviation and get a degree in it. When I get the degree, I will get a couple other licenses and I will have more experiences to get into airlines. My top choice is Indiana State University. I’m also applying to SIUC and Central Missouri,” he said.

Hoyt has been accepted into Indiana State University but he has to wait until spring to apply to the aviation program.

Flying a plane may seem scary to some, but Hoyt says doesn’t fear piloting because he’s in control.

“It’s hard to label anything as super scary because you feel in control. There have been times where I made a mistake and put myself in danger, but I still felt in control of the situation,” he said.