LEE High School student selected to be part of flight training program, earns pilot certificate

"The scariest thing I've ever done for sure. But I loved it," Martindale said.

Martindale was selected out of 25 students around San Antonio to be a part of the Dadelian Flight Training Program.

"Adrenaline pumping, hearts pumping and just praying like, man, just please let me set this plane down safely," Martindale said.

After months of study and practice, Martindale passed his solo flight on the first try. Anderson Aviation Flight Instructor Jake Labarbiera is truly impressed with how far Martindale has come.

Labarbiera was able to give Martindale his pilot certificate at the end of the program.

Martindale says it was his JROTC instructor at LEE High School who pushed him to try something new.

"I think he was thinking about engineering. And he said that he was interested in cars. But now i think maybe that this is opened up as an opportunity or interest in planes as well," Army instructor Lt. Col. Retired Kyle Henson said.

"Now I have to do a cross-country flight and then a few more tests and stuff like that and just learning more about piloting in general and then i could go for a private pilot's license," Martindale said.