The Big Dream can come true

On most weekends Brayden Brown, 15, can be found in one of the hangers at Thomas C. Russell Airport preparing for a flight lesson. Though the youngest flight student in the program, Brown has shown promise and an unyielding determination in groundwork, studying and in the cockpit.

His interest in airplanes and flying started early in life, and with his family’s support and encouragement, it never wavered.

“When I was 4, I went flying to Disney World, and I was like, ‘I think that’s what I want to do.’ My grandfather, Mike McDaniel, brought me over here, and we did a Discovery flight. That really got me hooked, so I just started flying here. He’s really supportive, along with my grandmother, Mary McDaniel. I think the acceleration’s what got me. You know, it just pushes you back in your seat.

“I used to make paper airplanes when I was little. I used to get fascinated because my grandparents live not far from the airport, and I could always hear the planes landing and taking off,” Brown explained.

Though flying is a unique hobby for now, it scores him some cool points with his friends, and he’s hoping to continue learning and training. He’d like to make a career out of it one day.

“My friends really think it’s cool. Every time I see them, they’ll be like, ‘When are you going to take me up?’ and I always tell them they have to wait a year and a half,” Brown said.

With instructors like Stephen Barlow and Alex Merril, in conjunction with help from Brown Aero Technologies owner, Regina Brown, Brown’s skills have skyrocketed and could lead him to his ideal career.

“I’m hoping to be either a captain for an airline or a captain for a corporate company one day,” Brown said.

Brown started his lessons last January. With a year under his belt now, he’s eager to fly solo for the first time when he turns 16.

Regina believes Brown was always meant to pilot a plane one day.

“He’s slightly a prodigy at this. It takes a lot of discipline and a lot of study. He has been so dedicated, and it makes a difference. We’re not allowed to solo a student until age 16, and they’re not allowed to earn their license until they’re 17. He’s ready to solo today, we just can’t let him. What we’re hoping is that we can continue with his training and finish up with all of his private pilot requirements. Then, he could move into the instrument rating requirements, so on his 17th birthday, he could test both,” Regina explained.

Merril is Brown’s designated flight instructor, but Brown has received instruction from both

Beyond the Beautiful Blue

Previous Pages: Brayden Brown only lacks a couple of birthdays before he can take his pilot license exam; Below: He practices on a Redbird flight simulator to enhance his knowledge of other areas; Facing Page: Brown started flight lessons at 14 and regularly flies a variety of planes with his instructors.

Regina and Barlow, too. His instructor team has concluded that Brown is ahead of his time and belongs in the air.

“He’s definitely got an aptitude for it. He’s very passionate about it. What I love is that he’s good at studying. He comes in with questions and takes notes. He’s always wanting to come out, even if we aren’t able to go flying. He’ll do groundwork. He’s getting more and more comfortable in the airplane. All of his skills are getting better. Flying, oddly enough, is the easy part. It’s the ground knowledge that has to go with it,” Merril said.

With school in session now, it’s harder for Brown to get the flight time he wants. He makes it a priority to take advantage of the weekends for his flight lessons.

“My flight lessons are usually every weekend. Well, right now the weekend, but as soon as the time changes, I can come here after school. I really just come here whenever I get the chance,” Brown explained.

Preparing for a flight is a tedious task, but Brown usually goes through the motions and checklists with ease.

“We do something we call a preflight. Before every lesson, we go out and check the plane, make sure it’s good for flying. Sometimes we’ll do just groundwork and not even go up, but pretty much that’s what we do,” Brown said.

Before Brown could fly solo or obtain his private pilot’s license, he’s required to have a certain number of hours in different categories, including groundwork and flying hours. There also are the exams and learning radio communications. When it comes to flying hours, Brown has to include some cross-country travel time as well.

“We’ll stay around town sometimes and do something called a cross-country where we travel around at least 50 miles,” Brown said.

The purpose of cross-country flying is to familiarize a flight student with other areas, including other airports.

“Sometimes, he goes to Pine Mountain. Later on, he’ll go to places like Huntsville or Birmingham. Sometimes, training calls for longer flights for him to get experience. For example, flying into unfamiliar airports,” Barlow explained.

Despite starting just a little over a year ago, Brown says getting in the plane and flying is now second nature to him.

“I was nervous the first time we took off but not anymore. My mom is scared a little bit. She’s like, ‘I’m not going to come and watch you solo,’” Brown said.

With supportive instructors, family and friends cheering him on – sometimes even from the hanger itself – Brown is going after his big dream and making strides towards achieving it and proving that, with hard work and determination, achieving dreams is possible, even for someone younger than most. Keep an eye on the sky for Brown; he’ll have his wings in no time.