Recently, Infinite Academy student Theo celebrated a milestone many aspiring pilots only dream of, taking his first solo flight on his 16th birthday.
With discipline, focus and family support, Theo had been preparing for years, and over the summer he committed himself to flying once or twice a week to ensure he was ready for the big day.
A Birthday to Remember
On the morning of his solo flight, Theo began by flying with his instructor, completing a series of competency checks that every student pilot must pass before flying alone.
This included demonstrating:
Once his instructor was satisfied that Theo had mastered each element, the moment arrived. Theo took off, flew a circuit around Motueka, and landed the plane solo for the very first time.
Building Toward a Career in Aviation
Theo’s journey in aviation is already well underway. In February, he successfully passed his first theory exam toward his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) - the Flight Radio exam - with five more exams still to complete over the next three years.
His passion for aviation also extends beyond the cockpit. Since the age of twelve, Theo has been part of the Eagles programme, a group for young people aged 12–18 who share an interest in aviation.
Theo’s mum Angela shared, “Recently, he has started to help organise activities that they complete during their monthly meeting. They have done really amazing things like a weekend trip to Christchurch to visit different aviation sites like AirNZ, and the flight simulator down there.
“Once a year they go up in a plane and take turns dropping a toy, trying to aim for a target, and most field trips have an opportunity to fly - even if it's just from Motueka to Nelson,” she said.
A summary of the hands-on experiences students can participate in includes:
More recently, Theo has even begun helping organise activities for the group’s monthly meetings, sharing his enthusiasm for aviation with younger members.
Theo already has a clear vision for the future.
After completing Year 13, he plans to enrol at Nelson Aviation College in Motueka to begin training for his Commercial Pilot Licence.
His longer-term goal is to work as a flight instructor, gaining experience while working toward a cadetship with an international airline such as Air New Zealand or Cathay Pacific.
From there, he hopes to pursue the dream of flying international routes.
Stories like Theo’s remind us that education is not confined to a classroom timetable. At Aotearoa Infinite Academy, our flexible learning model allows students to pursue their passions alongside their academic studies - whether that’s in the arts, sport, entrepreneurship, or, in Theo’s case, aviation.
Theo’s determination, discipline, and love of flight are already taking him incredible places.
And this is only the beginning. ✈️