Gabriel Carothers, then 17 years old, made aviation history by becoming the state of New Mexico’s youngest pilot. The young pilot reportedly accomplished the feat after finishing his private pilot check ride a few days after his 17th birthday, according to KOAT.
Carothers said he gained interest in flying at an early age. “My father had a family friend who had an airplane that used to fly us,” the teen said. “So, he thought it’d definitely be interesting to take me and my brother up for a flight when we were 5 and 6 years old.”
Carothers was also just 14 when he designed and set up his flight simulator. “I had to do research on what went into a computer and then what parts and components were needed to make sure it worked,” the teen said. “Learning all the intricate pieces of it, the programming of it in the simulator itself was another thing.”
Carothers admitted that he wasn’t “actually thinking about creating history” when he became the state’s youngest pilot. He said, “I was simply thinking about flying and doing what I enjoy doing every day.
Carothers added that his current goals include participating in air shows as well as learning how to operate vintage aircraft. Additionally, he declared his intention to enlist in the Air Force.
“Leaving a trail behind and leaving a path for other kids to follow really lightens up my heart, and to make sure that they have a future no matter what they do,” the teen said.