High School Students and Aviation: How Teens Can Start
Published by: Jordan Morris
You pick up a brochure at a career fair, or you look up at a plane crossing the sky above your school, and a thought sticks: maybe I could do that. If you are a high school student, the answer is yes. You can start exploring aviation long before you graduate, and the FAA sets clear age milestones along the way.
At Speedway Flight Training, we love meeting students at this stage. This guide covers how teens can start, what happens at each age, and what parents can do to help, beginning with a discovery flight.
Start where you are: a career fair or a conversation
You do not need a pilot certificate, a medical, or years of savings to begin. The first step is curiosity plus a conversation. Career fairs, school visits, and community events are good places to meet pilots and ask real questions about training, cost, and career paths.
If you met our team at a career fair, you can share your details with us and we will follow up. Come with questions such as what a typical day of training looks like, how long it takes, and what you can do now to prepare. Our complete Private Pilot guide gives you a preview of the road ahead.
Meeting the people who fly and teach is one of the best first steps for a curious teen.
Take a discovery flight and feel the controls
A discovery flight is the fastest way to find out whether flying is for you. You fly with a certified instructor, experience the training environment, and see Atlanta from the air. You do not need a student pilot certificate or a medical certificate to take an instructor-led introductory lesson.
Parents are welcome to talk through the experience with us beforehand. Because policies for younger students can vary, contact us through our contact page about your teen’s age and schedule so we can plan the right first flight. Our discovery flight guide covers what happens from check-in to debrief.
The age milestones that matter
The FAA sets minimum ages for key steps. Knowing them helps you plan your high school years around flight training.
| Age | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Any age | Take lessons with an instructor. A student pilot certificate is not needed just to take lessons. |
| 16 | Eligible for a student pilot certificate for airplanes, which is required before solo flight |
| 16 | May solo an airplane after the required training, instructor endorsements, and medical qualification |
| 17 | Eligible for the private pilot certificate in an airplane |
An FAA medical certificate has no minimum age, and most airplane students address it before solo. Our FAA medical process guide explains how to find an Aviation Medical Examiner and prepare for the exam.
How to use your high school years
Flying is a skill you can prepare for on the ground. Strong math, science, and communication skills all help pilots, and study habits transfer directly to ground school. You can also read, watch, and ask questions until you feel ready to start lessons.
Plan your training around school. Weekends, summers, and school breaks are common times for lessons, and consistent practice matters more than a fast pace. Our guide to staying proficient between flying seasons can help you keep skills fresh when your schedule gets busy.
Paying for flight training as a teen
Flight training is a real investment, and parents and students often want a plan before they begin. Start by asking what your goal is: a private pilot certificate, or a longer route toward a professional career.
We offer resources to help. Our financing page explains loan options through our lending partner, subject to approval and terms. The Speedway Scholarship Fund supports aspiring pilots with financial need, and applicants must be at least 17 years old. If you plan to study aviation in college, explore our university programs.
Every pilot starts somewhere, and many begin with one flight.
FAQ: Teens and Flight Training
How old do I have to be to learn to fly?
You can take lessons with an instructor at a young age. A student pilot certificate for airplanes requires age 16, and a private pilot certificate requires age 17. Contact us about your teen’s age for a discovery flight.
Do I need a medical certificate before I start?
Not for an instructor-led introductory lesson. Most airplane students address the medical certificate before solo, so review our medical guide early.
Can I solo before I turn 17?
Airplane students who are 16 can solo after meeting the requirements, including training, endorsements, and a student pilot certificate. Your instructor decides when you are ready.
Can I finish a private pilot certificate before I graduate?
It depends on your age, schedule, weather, and consistency. The private pilot certificate requires age 17, so plan the timeline with your instructor through our Private Pilot program.
How can parents help?
Ask questions, attend the discovery flight, and talk through budget and schedule together. Our financing options and scholarship page are good places to start.
Is aviation a good career?
Many pilots love their careers, but outcomes depend on training, hours, and hiring conditions. Our pilot career guide explains the common path.
Book your first discovery flight
Ready to see whether flying fits you? Book a discovery flight at Atlanta Speedway Airport, meet an instructor, and sit in the cockpit where every pilot’s story begins. Bring your questions and your parents, and we will help you map the next step from there.
