GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A 17-year-old girl in Gastonia is reaching new heights, training to earn her private pilot license.

 

What You Need To Know

  • A 17-year-old girl is working toward her private pilot license

  • This achievement is unusual for someone her age

  • Shelby Duncan's passion for flying comes, in part, from her family


When Shelby Duncan is not at Gaston Christian School, participating in extracurricular activities, or volunteering at a horse ranch, she’s flying a small plane.  

"It's a lot of fun, especially when you're alone, you're just up there in the air, and it's peaceful,” Shelby says.

The student pilot at the Academy of Aviation in Gastonia had her first flying experience on a sailplane at age 13.

However, her connection with planes dates back generations because her grandfather, aunt, and dad became pilots.

“I know if my dad or my sister were still alive, they would be thrilled to see their niece or granddaughter in an airplane flying,” Shelby’s dad, John, says.

Nancy, John's sister and Shelby's aunt, motivated both of them to pursue flying.

"She was an incredible lady for her time, especially knowing I get to be part of her legacy,” Shelby says.

Shelby is already flying alone but she needs to complete a certain amount of hours to move a step closer toward earning her license.

The private pilot license will allow her to fly her family and friends on a small plane.

Shelby's parents, John and Melanie, are proud of their daughter.

“I think it’s exciting for her and it’s something I’ve always enjoyed, and I hope she enjoys it as much as I have,” John says.

Shelby’s flight instructor, Ross Harwell, says earning this license at her age is unusual.

“[In] this day and age, you're not going to see a lot of people before, about 21 or outside of high school. While you're in high school, you got a lot going on,” Harwell says. “So it's really cool for Shelby to be doing that in during high school as well.”

Shelby is a senior in high school, but she didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

"You just feel fulfilled in this. I did this. It was something that I've worked toward and it's something that I was actually able to accomplish,” Shelby says.

Shelby is likely to earn her private pilot license this spring.

If you want to earn a private pilot license, you must be at least 16 to start flying alone for training, but you must be 17 to take the exam needed to earn the license.