By Elizabeth Farina
efarina@midlothianexchange.com

Getting a license is a rite of passage for a teenager. It requires, among following many rules and regulations, keeping the speed down in order to stay out of trouble, but for Jordan Ambers, 17, being able to handle top speeds is required in order to get the plane off the ground.

Ambers, who received his Federal Aviation Administration private pilot license in March, took interest in learning to become a pilot from his grandfather Larry Hollada. The Monacan High School senior recalled riding with Hollada in 2002 when he was 9 or 10 years old as being very different than being a passenger in a commercial plane.

“With the airline, it’s almost like sitting in a room that’s moving, but with the small plane – it’s more like you’re flying,” Ambers said.

He began to study when he was 14 in ground school at the Chesterfield County Airport with Dominion Aviation, which is now Heart of Virginia Aviation. Although many aviation students are older, and Ambers’ age made him a stand out, he felt comfortable among his student-pilot peers and instructors. “Everyone’s been supportive,” Ambers said of instructors. “The guys here know what they’re talking about.”

He completed the written test at 15 and flew his first solo flight at 16. “That was a big goal. I could fly an airplane by myself before I could drive. I even got my motorcycle learner’s permit before I could drive,” he said. “My parents are very trusting. I do what I’m supposed to do. If that wasn’t the case…” Ambers said with a shrug.

His parents Kitty and Anthony Ambers, younger brother Corey, 15, his uncle Jonathan Hollada, a pilot, and grandfather Larry Hollada, have been supportive of Amber’s pursuit in flight. In fact, Amber and his uncle flew to St Simon’s, south of Savannah from Atlanta over spring break. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience of viewing the coastline from above. His grandfather served as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Mentor during Ambers’ training. He is also inspired, as much of the nation has been, by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who glided a passenger plane into New York’s Hudson River in January 2009.

“His skills, obviously, are great. But the whole-calm-under-pressure – which is practiced – he remained calm when it actually happened. That’s the big test,” Ambers said.

Ambers added that it took a lot of studying in order to prepare for the oral and written exam. He only had 51 hours under his “wings” before receiving the final check flight before certification. However, his understanding of the plane really translates in operation as he demonstrated a quick round trip flight above Chesterfield, Powhatan and Goochland counties after the interview for this article (video online at midlothianexchange.com). Over the summer he hopes to complete his instrument-rating certificate before heading off to college.

“I hope to take trips and stuff like that when I’m in college and eventually get my commercial rating,” he said.

He also understands that the hobby of flying is not cheap. He umpires in baseball as well as assists his mom Kitty at her Richmond-based business WorkSmart Consulting, and tries not to spend money on anything else.

At one time, Ambers wanted to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot. However, Amber’s focus has shifted to pursuing a degree in aerospace and aeronautical engineering at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. At Monacan, Ambers currently maintains a 4.65 GPA, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Kick-Off Mentor Council, and the Monacan High School Golf Team. In his spare time, when he’s not flying an airplane or out with his dad on the motorcycles, he enjoys a good movie with friends as well as making a bowl of taco macaroni. Reflecting on his high school experience and whether or not he missed out on anything while pursing his private pilot license, Ambers said, “I guess I put whatever work was required into everything that I wanted to do so that I could do it.”

Ambers is the recipient of the 2010 Pamplin Leader Award at Monacan High School, a $1,000 tuition scholarship