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    14-year-old Flies Over 800 nm to Join the Biggest Aviation Gathering in the World

    July 24, 2017
    Flying and owning a plane is all about passion. 14-year-old Kyle Carden was infected very early with the aviation bug.
    Related To: Continental Aerospace Technologies
    In flight between Mobile and Oshkosh. Last leg before arriving at KOSH. That NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is thick, but gives all the information that is essential for a safe arrival to AirVenture.
    In flight between Mobile and Oshkosh. Last leg before arriving at KOSH. That NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is thick, but gives all the information that is essential for a safe arrival to AirVenture.

    Flying and owning a plane is all about passion. But, alas, sometimes when you have seen many seasons in your life, you decide that it is time to encourage others to fly rather than continue to fly yourself. That is what the owner of a Piper Cub (built in 1946) did when he decided to donate his beloved and beautifully restored aircraft to a teenager. Of course, said teenager, Kyle Carden was infected very early with the aviation bug.

    So, for the former owner of the Piper Cub, it was all about encouraging him to get rated, first as a private pilot and then to pursue his dream of becoming a professional pilot.

    At the tender age of 14, Kyle tends lovingly to the aircraft and receives dual instruction towards his private certificate. He will have to wait for a while before passing his check ride, as the minimum age to take the exam is 17. 

    There is a twist to this story.
    Kyle is only the temporary owner of this Piper Cub. After becoming a professional and when ready to fly bigger and faster aircraft, it will be his duty to select the next teenager that will become the temporary owner of the plane. In the meantime, his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), Phillip Grice, thought it would be a great experience to gain a bit of cross country experience and practice landing on various unknown airfields. But instead of organizing a few proverbial hamburger trips, Phillip sought permission from Kyle’s parents to embark on an adventure and what an adventure it will be.

    Kyle departed July 19, from the Mobile Bay area, with Phillip Grice, to fly to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or just Oshkosh to some. The plane will join the crowd of J3 Cubs converging on Oshkosh to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Piper® Aircraft and their first plane. After all, it all started with a yellow airplane!

    Kyle will gain alot of experience during this trip (a little over 800 nm). What a fantastic adventure for him! We have no doubt that the Airventure 2017 exhibitors, as well as the visitors, will drop by the Continental Booth to meet Kyle and his multi-generational Piper Cub. The plane and its crew will be at Continental Motors Group booth (Main aircraft display, 229 - 234). We hope to see you there!