Most pilots remember the day that they soloed in an aircraft. After investing in flying lessons, the time comes when the certified flight instructor decides that the student has developed their flying skills to the level of proficiency to fly the aircraft all alone. That right seat can seem very empty as the student flies around in the pattern of the airport, usually with their instructor watching from the ground. If the student makes it safely back to the ground, there is usually a special ceremony celebrating this milestone in the student’s road to becoming a certified pilot. It is a special day, indeed!

Eric is all thumbs up... Taildraggers Rule!	Eric Shell poses next to the huge tires of the Aviat Husky	Eric likes to fly his helicopter most of all

Most pilots feel a sense of pride in being able to maneuver an aircraft through the air and safely land without the safety net of an instructor on board. There is a young gentleman in North Texas that not only soloed in one aircraft but four. What’s more he did it all in one day!
 

Eric began flying when he was 12 in his dad’s Cessna 150 and soon transitioned to a Cessna 172. He accumulated 40 hours in the Bell 47, 20 hours in the Husky, 10 hours in the Stearman and 3 hours in the Cub during the last two years. He stated that he favors flying the helicopter first and foremost followed by any thing that has a tail wheel.  Local flight instructor Charlie Jirik was instrumental in Eric’s training.

Eric receives ceremonial shirt cutting from instructor Charlie Jirik after solo flights	Eric soloed in everyone's favorite ... the Stearman	Here is Eric next to the Legend Cub

Eric is a National Honor Society student at Prestonwood Christian Academy where he is engaged in cross country track with training starting at 6 AM every morning before classes start. Next summer he is looking forward to taking the mountain flying course and hopes that some day he will be able to attend one of the military academies and fly for the military.