04 June 2026
Three Year 10 students from Kent Street Senior High School have already completed a solo aircraft flight, at an age when most teenagers are still waiting to get behind the wheel of a car.
Lukas completed his first solo flight with flight instructor Kevin Lathbury.
The trio achieved the milestone through the school’s specialist aviation program, which provides students with a pathway into the aviation industry while still completing their secondary studies.
Running from Year 7 to Year 12, the program combines the standard curriculum with aviation-focused learning, including aeronautics, principles of flight, drones, rockets, engineering, mechanics and robotics.
Students can also gain practical experience through flying lessons with the school’s licensed instructors, working towards first solo flights before they are even old enough to hold a driver’s licence.
For Lukas, an interest sparked by online aviation videos quickly turned into a passion after his parents gifted him a birthday flight in a Cessna 172 last year.
“That first flight changed everything for me,” he said.
“When I found out about Kent Street’s aviation program, I thought this would be amazing to do and would help me massively.”
“Leaving the ground by myself during my first solo flight and looking down to see my mum with her hands on her mouth felt a bit crazy.
“I didn’t really realise that I was flying by myself until I was on final approach saying my final call.”
Maison completed his first solo flight in a glider and said the achievement did not feel real at first.
“I opened the canopy and was met with my parents waiting, a huge smile on my face I could not wipe off,” he said.
“That night all I was thinking about was if it was a dream.”
Since joining the program, Seth has accumulated almost 18 hours of flight time and completed his first solo flight at Jandakot Airport earlier this year.
The program transformed his early interest in aviation into a clear career goal after experiencing his first flight over Rottnest Island.
“The moment we became airborne, I experienced what pilots often call the ‘flying bug’,” Seth said.
“I find it both amusing and motivating that I can fly an aircraft solo, yet I am not permitted to begin learning to drive on public roads until I turn 16.
“I find flying an aircraft easier than driving a car.
“Flying requires a high level of planning, situational awareness, and adherence to procedures, where driving often involves more reactive decision-making in a constantly changing environment.”
All three students now have their sights firmly set on aviation careers.
Lukas hopes to one day become a commercial pilot, while Maison aspires to work as an aircraft maintenance engineer and eventually earn his private or commercial pilot licence.
Seth is aiming to join the Royal Australian Air Force as a fast jet pilot, with ambitions of later mentoring future pilots as a flying instructor.