For the past year and a half, Reading Memorial High School Junior Dario Viliott has been navigating the complex world of flight training, from studying complex regulations to mastering flight maneuvers, each lesson bringing him one step closer to his dream of earning a Private Pilot License.
An Involved Process
The journey to earning a Private Pilot License (PPL) begins with a Discovery Flight, where aspiring pilots get their first taste of flying and decide whether they want to pursue the path further. Once the decision is made, the training officially begins with the help of certified instructors, while students simultaneously begin the process of obtaining essential certifications, including a medical certificate, which ensures they meet the physical and mental standards required for flight, and a student pilot certificate, which permits them to fly solo under specific conditions.
Preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) written exam follows. To prepare, students engage in extensive study, often using textbooks, online resources, or group study sessions to obtain the complex material. After this, trainees will take the 65-question test, where a score of 70% or better is needed to pass. Next, the training continues, with more flying sessions to refine skills, build confidence, and complete the solo flights. At this stage, a checkride preparation ensures readiness for the ultimate practical test with an FAA examiner.
The checkride is a comprehensive flight evaluation where students must demonstrate their ability to safely and competently perform a series of maneuvers. The checkride itself is the final hurdle, and once successfully completed, the new pilot is officially licensed, ready to take family and friends on flights and explore the skies with newfound freedom. Viliott explained that the entire process can take anywhere from three to six months, provided there is consistency in training and the student meets the age and health requirements, though the timeline may vary depending on the individual’s schedule and progress.
Dario’s Journey to the Skies
Viliott has been training at East Eagle Aviation, a flight school based at the Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover. While attending the school, he also works at the airport, where his responsibilities include fueling and cleaning planes, as well as assisting passengers in various ways.
His passion for aviation began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he became captivated by YouTube videos about flying. “I thought it was kind of cool, and then I just did it. Now there’s nothing better,” Viliott says. While his goal to earn a pilot’s license is well-known among his friends and peers at school, it’s often a surprise to those outside his immediate circle. “A lot of people here know about it, but outside of school, most people don’t. So it’s kind of interesting when they find out.”
Once he earns his pilot’s license, Viliott hopes to make aviation his full-time career, hoping to travel the world as an airline pilot. However, as a junior in high school, he’s still exploring his options for the future. “Honestly, I’d rather just go straight into it, but I’m not sure. I still have a lot of time to think about it,” he says.
As Viliott nears the end of his training, he reflects on the hard work and determination that has brought him this far. The journey to earn his Private Pilot License has already been a defining chapter in his life, one that will take him higher, both in the air and in his future.
