Florida Teen Set to Become First High Schooler in 70 Years to Earn Commercial Pilot’s License

Camp Clifford
Photo courtesy of Ocala StarBanner, Doug Engle, photographer.

A local high school senior from Ocala, Fla. will make history when he takes his final tests, including a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) checkride flight exam, to earn his commercial pilot’s license.

Once he passes the final test, Camp Clifford will become the second high school student in Florida – and the first in 70 years – to earn an FAA Commercial Pilot’s license while still attending high school. Clifford expects to graduate in May.

Clifford attends at Trinity Catholic’s Aerospace Career Academy, where he is dual enrolled at Trinity and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University through Embry–Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute, which oversees aerospace career academies at more than 90 high schools in Florida.

Read more about Camp Clifford in a story by Ocala StarBanner reporter Joe Callahan at https://www.ocala.com/news/20181206/trinity-catholic-senior-is-flying-high. In addition to Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute, Embry-Riddle’s Dual Enrollment Program is eligible to students living in authorized locations across the globe through Embry–Riddle Worldwide.