Mason Schneider is a senior at Cheney High School in Cheney, Kansas. (Go Cardinals). He also started flight training on Aug. 21, 2020, and passed his private pilot check ride on Oct. 16, just 56 days later.
I found Mason on Reddit. He posted of his accomplishment the day after his check ride and as things happen on the internet, it has stirred up a (mostly positive) discussion in the comments section.
Mason was kind enough to answer a few questions for me so I could share his story.
Cheney High School, like a lot of high schools, offers an internship program with the idea of connecting students with real life experiences as a way to learn what might — or not — be of interest beyond high school. Suffice it to say, I think aviation will play a leading role in Mason’s life.
As Mason gave some thought to his internship, he acknowledged his interest in learning to fly to a friend who also happened to be a pilot. It was that friend who “knew a man (my soon to be instructor) that would like to teach me.”
How he did it
Mason flew “three days a week for about two hours each day.” They used his instructor’s 1967 Cessna 150G which Mason says “is a blast! Best one I’ve ever flown! Just so happens to also be the only one” he’s ever flown.
His third class medical exam was July 24. First flight lesson was Aug. 21, followed by his first solo on Sept. 1. He passed his written exam on Sept. 29 and passed his check ride on Oct. 16.
In Mason’s case, and this will be hard to replicate, his flight training cost about $3,000, “simply out of the kindness of my instructor. He is a retired test pilot for Cessna and though he never told me this specifically, I believe he teaches at a lower rate because he has such a passion for aviation and he wants to see it continue by getting young people into the hobby and profession.”
I didn’t ask Mason to connect me with his instructor to see if his belief was accurate. I bet it’s probably pretty much spot on though.
Most people have worked on all sorts of projects in their lives and find it far more fun to work with someone who is motivated and excited rather than someone who is simply checking a box. So much so that it isn’t farfetched to believe Mason’s instructor heavily discounted his normal rates just to work with someone so excited to learn to fly.
How was the training?
“The part I found easier than I thought it would be was the actual flying. Specifically in cruise. Once you get the power and trim set (given it’s a calm day, which is rare in Kansas) the plane practically flies itself.”
On the other side of the equation, “The hardest part for me was getting down the landings. I’ve gotten the hang of it, but I’m still working on the finesse. It was just quite the struggle to learn the feel of when to flare.”
And something few of us will ever truly master.
Advice to aspiring pilots?
“No matter what, keep pushing. There’s going to be some amazing and exciting days, and there’s gonna be some days that you want to just throw in the towel. Just keep your head in the books, and your eyes on the prize. There’s not a feeling in this world that’s better than your DPE handing you your certificate. That feeling of freedom and accomplishment is unexplainable. Just do not give up, and remember what you’re working towards.”
Mason’s next steps will be at Hesston College in Kansas after high school and earning his instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and CFI ratings. From there he’ll go where the opportunities present themselves. Ultimately, his goal is to “become a test pilot for either Cessna or Beechcraft.”
It’s funny, Mason’s path to learning to fly is nearly the same advice I give people (of any age) when they express an interest in learning to fly. Save up your money and time. Once you start, if you aren’t working (or in school) or sleeping you should be flying or studying. With that much focus, I believe nearly anyone can learn to fly in less than two months.
Want proof? Mason did it.
Late breaking update from Mason, “I already received my High Performance endorsement in a Cessna 182, and I am working right now on my tailwheel endorsement in an Aeronca Champion.”
Onward indeed.
We are proud of Mason and this accomplishment. He is an extremely mature and driven young man.
Congrats also to Mason’s CFI — former Citation pilot who donates time and instruction in his 150. Too bad he’s not identified; but I’ll bet his name is Steve. Not steve writing this comment, but the Steve who had to do double time getting me to CFI some 20 years ago.
Very impressive. Congratulations. Here in Canada Royal Canadian Air Cadets run a PPL program and teach 17-19 year old youth to fly in roughly 6 weeks over the summer with a phenomenal success rate. It’s amazing the capacity for learning the youth have.