For Trevor Grigas of Schenectady, NY, flying was a childhood dream, from a time when he would fly small foam Airhog planes. On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, he took one leap towards making that childhood dream a reality when he flew solo in an airplane for the first time. 
Trevor is a Falcon Scholar at Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) in Front Royal, VA. Last spring, the then-18-year-old received a coveted Falcon Foundation Scholarship, enabling him to attend one of five prep programs in the U.S., where he would develop his academics and physical fitness and then re-apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). Trevor chose R-MA, and now, as he approaches the end of his Falcon Scholar year at the small military school, he has both his Air Force Academy appointment and his first solo flight checked off.
Like most first-time soloists, Trevor admitted to a bit of trepidation at first, but after spending the previous two weeks on doing pattern work to ensure his takeoffs and landings were consistent, R-MA flight instructor Marc Kramer knew Trevor was ready to solo.
“After hopping in the plane and taxiing for run-up, I was a little nervous, however, as soon as I made my radio call for takeoff my entire body calmed down and I felt at home. From there it was smooth flying. I felt at home the entire flight. I had never had that kind of confidence while flying, but when you are solo you have to be sure of your actions and it pushes you to have confidence in yourself,” Trevor said.
Trevor will continue flying and hopes to obtain his private pilot certification before graduating from the Falcon Scholar program on May 18th. At USAFA, he plans to join the powered flight club or the soaring team, with the ultimate goal of becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.