Teen Solos 13 Planes On 16th Birthday

News Discussion
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His target audience is very young impressionable people who in that age bracket are willing to take on a lot of risk without fully understanding the consequences. Remember, it wasn’t to long ago we all thought we would live forever.

Taking on a challenge that this young man accomplished foregoes understanding all of the risks involved like changes in weather, pilot fatigue, get it done at all cost. Remember, the goal does not appear to be safety first. The goal is fly as many airplanes as possible in one day period.

I really don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but, no matter how I cut it, it doesn’t sit well with me. Flying is to serious to play these types of games. Young people are just to impressionable.

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Well said. That hand gesture is also used by scuba divers around the world. As an advance certified diver with over 200 dives logged i have made and observed this hand sign thousands of time underwater and it has become my habitual OK sign all the time.

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I understand why some are so bent on derailing a celebratory moment, and it’s disappointing. A 16-year-old safely soloed 13 different aircraft in one morning, after years in the making, and instead of encouragement, some adults here resort to sneering and petty jabs.

Yes, he had access, through his parents, their business, and mentors. So what? So did I. Tthe GI Bill helped me. Out of gratitude, I gave back by promoting youth in aviation. That’s what grown-ups do.

Mocking a young pilot’s success doesn’t make you insightful. It just makes you bitter.

I’ve spent years encouraging young people to get into aviation because I know what it gave me. That’s why this story matters. This young man, whether some like it or not, is a role model. Not because he had every barrier cleared for him, but because he showed what’s possible when opportunity meets preparation and discipline. We should be lifting that up, not tearing it down.

Way to go, Sullivan!

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“opportunity meets preparation and discipline.”

Same can be said for eating 1,000 hot dogs in 15 minutes. Will the hot dog, or, the eating of hot dogs be advanced in any way? I just don’t see the accomplishment, if you want to call it that as a redeeming benefit for aviation. Not in the least.

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“he showed what’s possible when opportunity meets preparation and discipline”

With unlimited money and support, all things are possible.
I don’t think people need to be reminded of that fact.

That’s why I questioned his statement on “inspiring others”.to get into flying since the number 1,2, and 3 obstacles to it are money, money and money in that order. It’s not denigrating his achievement; just his statement.

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Lets just “stow the crocodile tears”. :joy:

Entertaining times ahead.

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Sullivan Vande Voort: The 16-Year-Old Who Soloed 13 Aircraft and Inspired a Community

On his 16th birthday, while most teenagers are waking up to cake, cards, and a trip to the DMV, Sullivan Vande Voort did something truly remarkable—he soloed thirteen different aircraft in a single day. That’s not a typo. Thirteen. And not just any planes—each one requiring its own set of skills, checks, and nerves of steel.

But if you know Sullivan, you know this feat didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of years of hard work, early mornings, late nights, and the kind of dedication that turns dreams into flight plans. Sullivan isn’t just a student pilot—he’s a local legend. The kind of young man who scrubs the belly of your Cirrus SR22 without being asked. The kind who shows up not because he has to, but because he wants to learn, to help, and to be part of the aviation community he loves so deeply.

Those who’ve had the chance to meet Sullivan know his character goes well beyond the cockpit. He’s respectful, humble, and always working—whether it’s turning a wrench, fueling a plane, or just being a helping hand around the hangar. It’s no surprise that on the day he turned 16, instead of heading to the mall or a birthday party, he was taking the left seat in aircraft after aircraft, checking off solos with a quiet confidence built over years of hands-on experience.

Sullivan’s story is already inspiring a new generation of pilots. It proves that aviation isn’t just for the well-connected or the wealthy—it’s for anyone with the drive to learn, the humility to listen, and the heart to keep showing up. He’s a reminder that greatness is built in the little things: in the way you treat people, in how hard you work when no one’s watching, and in the love you pour into your craft.

Congratulations, Sullivan. You didn’t just make history—you made all of us proud to know you!

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You should read your own link. THE link said in the US …

the US anti-hate group says the “overwhelming usage” of the hand gesture today is still to show approval or that someone is OK.

Therefore “particular care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture”.

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Amen, Mr. Foyt. Perfectly said.

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download
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Listen up, people, this is where it all started.
White rabbits, tired of being made fun of by humans as mere ‘shadows’, felt disrespected, unloved… so in order to counteract the insult, created their own shadow symbol to communicate and belong to something bigger than themselves. Sort of a White Rabbit Supreme Shadow.

Of course, some loser humans have tried to make it their own. SAD!

*Congrats Sullivan on your accomplishment. :airplane: :trophy:

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Congratulations to Sullivan. I have never met him but I would bet that he is better than 90% of the Commercial flight test candidates

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Yet here you are.
Stepping on the joy of accomplishment of one of our upcoming, passionate leaders, using AVweb for precisely the reason you bemoan. In that regard, I too am sometimes ‘sad to see what this place has become.’

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Mr Sensenig, you nailed it. Your skill with wordsis excelled only by Sullivan’s passion and skill for aviation.

From Russ
Doug, I didn’t see this coming but I think the right thing is happening among most of the commenters. My best to Sullivan.

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Russ - Thanks for replying to my comment. I reread my comment and it certainly came out a little more scathing than I meant it to, I could have worded more kindly with first acknowledging a congratulations to Sullivan. He and all involved should be proud, I did not mean to detract from that. I just don’t think the story fits into the context of what Avweb used to be. I still visit Avweb regularly but it certainly has changed, and, in my opinion, not for the better. Your feedback does help put this in perspective.

What I meant by my comment regarding restraint was geared towards breaking stories (like major incidents or accidents, for example). In the past, these seemed to be published with very brief, factual information, updated with facts as they became available. This set apart Avweb from other mainstream media outlets (hence my use of restraint). It could be my perception, but it seems these stories lately seem to contain more conjecture than they might have in the past and seem like they are coming from just another aggregate news site. I always came to Avweb first for these stories, but now not so much. On top of this, there is some political bias happening too. That really is disappointing to see.

From Russ:
I had reservations about including the story because AVweb has a long standing policy of not promoting “youngest pilot” stories because of safety concerns. The people involved and the level of planning and support that went into this effort set it apart and I thought it warranted an exception. I don’t think it was offensive, though, or contrary to our broader mandate.
I think what you’re seeing in our reporting of breaking news is our access (and everybody else’s) to a lot more information largely due to the availability of ADS-B tracking and doorbell cameras. While we do report on the facts presented by those tech leaps, we don’t try to interpret them but sometimes the picture they paint is unmistakable. We can’t ignore them. So it’s not conjecture. It’s the instant availability of more factual information.
As for political bias, I think it’s the same kind of thing. When you report the facts as they are, they inevitably seem biased depending on the reader’s own bias. We are constantly criticized for allowing political discussion here but I argue that it is fundamental to so much of what goes on in aviation that avoiding it would be simply dishonest.
The world has changed since John Deakin and even Paul Bertorelli held court and AVweb, like any other media that prides itself on accuracy and credibility, is reflecting that. We try to do it in an even handed way.

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If you want something mind boggling look up Al Bennett who soloed his two VERY young children, one in Cuba and one in Mexico IIRC. Bennett was a VP of Taylorcraft.

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That is the number 13 in sign language. Where did you see that as a white supremacist gesture

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Congratulations Sullivan, always enjoy seeing you and your family at Oshkosh and hope to see you this year.

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I too was like Sullivan. My Dad flew in WW2, and continued flying after. I grew up spending weekends at the airport, started washing airplanes and pumping gas at age 12. I soloed several airplanes on my 16th birthday, mostly local pilots that I knew letting me use their planes to solo in exchange for many wash and wax jobs. I came up with a solo plan that was blessed by AOPA safety department. Call it what you want, I was fortunate, however I used this experience to mentor many young folks into learning to fly and still do to this day, cfi for 54+ years.
I’m appalled at the politics and obvious jealousy of the accomplishments of a 16 year old. Sure he had an advantage but if he uses this to promote aviation and mentoring new pilots the GA community is better off.

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That is the number 13 in sign language.

No, at least not in American Sign Language (ASL) where it is the number 9. (13 is more of a two finger beckoning sign.)

Where did you see that as a white supremacist gesture

It ironically became one as a result of an internet prank in 2017, is now listed as a hate symbol - with a caution that context is hugely important.

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I guess the video I watched is wrong then. I know Sullivan and his family and he is not anywhere close to being a white supremacist.