First Helicopter Solo At 16 Makes New Mexico History

Isaac Wilson made history in his home state of New Mexico on Tuesday when he flew his first solo in a helicopter at age 16. The flight over Double Eagle II Airport in Albuquerque was the first of its kind there. It also was a unique milestone for Wilson's instructor, Douglas Christian of Vertical Limit Aviation. "Sixteen years old, he's making history today," Christian told KOB News 4. "He has the whole world in front of him and he's gonna be a great pilot." Wilson, who soloed at the minimum legal age for the helicopter training, plans to earn his private certificate next year and go on to fly commercially. "I'm working towards maybe flying for fire or life flight, or maybe eventually becoming a test pilot," he told the station.

Double Eagle, a towered field located northwest of Albuquerque International Airport, has an elevation of 5,837 feet. Wilson's instruction in a Robinson R22 came with specialized training from Vertical Limit Aviation, which advertises its niche in high density altitude and mountain flying. KOB's footage showed Wilson preflighting the helicopter in a flight suit and aviator sunglasses. His call to Double Eagle Ground: "I'm a student pilot doing a solo flight." KOB also interviewed Wilson's mother, Kathryn, who confirmed that he "does not officially have his driver's license yet." She said her son is on his way to his lifelong career goal: "It's always been, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot."