Student flies plane solo

When JC Bernarte was younger he never realized his dream would come true, but on Aug. 12 he spread his wings and flew for the first time.

Joining ROTC was more than an educational experience.  ROTC is where Bernarte first found his love for planes.  At the end of last year, he received a scholarship, allowing him to learn to fly at all costs.  Bernarte hopes to pursue a career as an Air Force pilot.

“Flying has been something I have always been interested in,” Bernarte said.

Originally Bernarte was supposed to drive back and forth from Wylie to Fort Worth for his lessons.   He received a free room at the Hangar flying school instead.

“Living on my own was a bit unusual, but I knew I would get used to it,” Bernarte said.

Bernarte’s instructor, Jeff Arlington of Hangar Flying, sat alongside him during the course of his training. He flew for a little over 10 hours which took two weeks.  Soon the 17 year old shed all others and took to the skies all by himself.

“After four days[due to bad weather] of delay, I finally soloed,” Bernarte said.

The first plane he flew was a Cessna 152.  This is the smallest 4-cylinder engine plane in use.  Bernarte hopes to go on to get his private pilot’s license as well as fly an F-16.

“Flying is probably the best feeling ever, of course there’s going to be a bit of nervousness,” Bernarte said.

The only factor of flying that rattled Bernarte’s brain was the landing. 

“That is the hardest part of flying,” Bernarte said.

A reminder of his great accomplishment was made when others cut the back of his shirt off and signed it at the end of his training.

“I think that anyone who wants to fly a plane should go ahead and pursue it.  It is such a great experience,” Bernarte said.