8-year-old logs flight hours while chasing his dream of becoming a pilot
By Mark Landon
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SALINAS, California (KSBW) — Maverick Foletta is already reaching new heights at Salinas Airport, where he has been taking flying lessons and building toward his dream of becoming a pilot.
The Mission Park Elementary School student has logged more than 10 hours in the air so far, a remarkable start for someone his age. Maverick said his love of flying began about two years ago when his dad first introduced him to lessons.
“It all started like two years ago with my dad. He gave me some lessons. I really enjoyed it,” Maverick said. “Recently, he gave me some more lessons, and I’m enjoying it right now.”
Maverick’s instructor, Enoch Weichers, said the young student has impressed him with how quickly he learns in the cockpit.
“Maverick has been an awesome student,” Weichers said. “I think kids really tend to learn really quickly because they don’t have any preconceived notions of how to do things. He’s very humble and a very quick learner.”
Flying requires focus, and Maverick said there is a lot to keep track of while in the air, from instruments inside the plane to watching carefully outside.
“There are so many things,” Maverick said. “You have all your instruments, and you have to look outside mostly.”
Maverick’s dad, Mike, has spent plenty of time flying with his son and helping him develop strong habits in the cockpit. For Mike, sharing the experience with Maverick has been especially meaningful.
“I’ve been flying a long time. I got my license a long time ago, then took a break, then started flying again,” Mike said. “It’s always been my dream to fly with Maverick, and that was a dream come true.”
Mike said flying together has helped strengthen their bond.
Weichers says most students are ready to solo after about 60 hours of flight time, with 40 hours considered the minimum. Maverick’s instructor believes the young aviator is progressing quickly and could be ready sooner than many expect.
“If Maverick could, he’d probably be ready to solo pretty soon, maybe in the next couple of flight lessons,” Weichers said.
As for what inspires him most, Maverick has a clear answer.
“It’s because I want to be like Top Gun Maverick,” he said.
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