High Schooler Payne, 17, Earns Private PIlot's License

Billy Payne, 17, who will be a senior at Madison High School this fall, on Wednesday was granted a Private Pilots License.

The certification permits Payne to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately.

Payne, who emigrated to the United States from the United Kingdon in 2009, fulfilled requirements for the license as determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority.

The requirements include the successful completion of a course with at least 40 hours of flight time; passing seven written exams, completing an extensive solo cross-country flight, and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test or check ride, including an oral exam.

Payne recently piloted a flight from New Jersey to the Sullivan County International Airport in Monticello, N.Y.

Payne began taking flying lessons at Certified Flyers of Morristown Municipal Airport in August, 2009. In between school exams and SATs, he honed his skills to become one of a handful of 17-year-olds in New Jersey to hold a Private Pilots License.

The teenager is eyeing a career as a military pilot and is applying to attend the Embrey Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he plans to study aeronautical engineering.

On the ground, Payne played for the Madison High School junior varsity soccer team and expects to play for the varsity in September.