By Jennifer Theurer

In a recent article written and distributed by USD 379 Communications, Miley McGee, senior at Clay Center Community High School, talked about earning her private pilot’s license.

“My dad inspired me to get my license,” she said. “He got his private pilot license when I was little, and we always took fun little trips, and he always let us fly.”

Balancing schoolwork, sports and flight training at Matta Aviation Services in Junction City required serious commitment.

“I have to be there at 7:00 every morning,” McGee said. “When it was warmer, I flew five times a week, but it is less now because of the weather.”

She took her first solo flight in December, completing three takeoffs and landings. Her achievement was marked by her instructor, Cory Gadd, cutting the back of her shirt, which is a pilot tradition.

“When they cut your shirt, it’s to symbolize them letting go,” McGee explained. “They will draw a pilot-related picture on it and then give it back to me so I can frame it.”

McGee has also completed a 3-hour cross-country flight and continues preparing to obtain other certifications like being able to fly into an airport with a tower.

While she doesn’t plan on aviation as a career path, she knows it will remain a passion.

“I just really enjoy being up in the air and seeing things from a different perspective,” she said. “It’s something I will use throughout my life.”