A Black teenager from Prince George's County, Maryland, has officially become the youngest glider pilot in the nation's history.

Caleb Smith, a sophomore at Charles H. Flowers High School, had his first experience with aviation at the age of 10 at Bowie Freeway Airport. As he got older, Smith spent time with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and eventually received one-on-one ground training and airtime, which led him to receive a gliding school scholarship in May 2021.

At 16 years old, he continued his training throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith has also flown solo for the first time after 33 attempts and has completed 12 solo flights, recently passing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) written exam.

The FFA confirmed Smith is the youngest pilot in the United States to earn his glider pilot's license, WUSA-9 reports. He has since become a member of Destiny Aviation Services and was awarded a scholarship from Skyline Soaring Club at Front Royal Airport in Virginia.

Up, up and away!✈️Check out this @WUSA9 story on @CHFlowersHigh sophomore Caleb Smith, the youngest private glider pilot in the country! #PGCPSProud https://t.co/jv5WmaJTmC

— PGCPS (@pgcps) November 29, 2021

Upon graduation from high school, Smith plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Military Academy to become a commercial airline pilot. He also credits Skyline Soaring Club as well as Destiny Aviation Services for helping him achieve this tremendous achievement.

Smith's record-breaking triumph comes nearly a year after 23-year-old Malik Sinegal made history as the youngest African American to be certified as a Boeing 777 pilot last December.

Caleb Smith

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