For many high school seniors, senior year means prom, college applications and final exams. But for senior Aidan Chorlton it also meant achieving a lifelong dream, earning his private pilot license from the Lake Elmo Aero Flight School.

Aidan’s aviation journey started at the same place as it took off, Lake Elmo Aero. Where he took a flight with volunteer pilots. Interest in aviation also started during family vacation flights. His passion for flight sparked on a ride with volunteer pilots and further fueled by commercial flights during family vacations.

“Aidan likes helping people, so him being a pilot and bringing people around the world makes sense,” senior Jane McKenzie said.

But the road to becoming a pilot was not smooth. While Aidan was going through flight school, like most people he had some struggles. Aidan had trouble understanding certain topics at first and due to this, he questioned whether aviation was for him.  But, Aidan persevered by continuing to study the material and started to get used to asking questions.

“As I kept working at it and started to understand, I learned that it is for me and that am happy that I chose this career,” Chorlton said.

A major milestone came when Aidan first flew a plane solo, which  was “exhilarating” because of the fact that nobody else was in the cockpit with him. Just him. This moment marked his transformation from student to pilot. He had been used to someone always being there and being able to help whenever needed. The switch from always having help to having the cockpit all alone is major for his end goal.

“I was in complete control of the plane. Everything was up to me, and it was really cool,” Chorlton said.

Throughout Aidan’s flight training, his support system played a key role. Family and friends were always there to have his back. During tests, Aiden would be a “nervous wreck” and friends would help him study with flashcards. Simple but powerful words of encouragement like “you can do it” and “I am proud of you” from his family helped Aiden get through those hard tests. Friends like junior Cameron Bove resisted the urge to press Aidan to hangout, giving him time to study and “do his own thing.”

Now with his license in hand, Aidan is a step closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a commercial pilot. His advice for others who thinking about aviation is honest and encouraging. Even though it may seem like a lot of work with such little time, just take the first step it will be easier to tell if it is something to continue to pursue. Even if it does not seem like the perfect thing now, it’s fine to take a step back.

“Always just take that first step and then be able to continue your way,” Chorlton said.