Cleared for Takeoff: How Finch Jones is Balancing High School
While most teens focus on driver’s ed, Finch Jones is balancing flight school, AP courses, and a passion for the skies.
While some teenagers are focused on obtaining their driver’s license, others are trying to obtain their pilot’s license. Finch Jones, an eighteen-year-old senior at Ragsdale High School, has been attending flight school to earn his private pilot’s license. Currently, he’s dual-enrolled at GTCC Community College, where he’s taking aviation courses on top of being a high school student with several AP classes.
Where His Passion Began
Finch’s passion for flying began at a young age. He was always excited about what kind of plane they were flying on trips, but he truly wanted to pursue becoming a pilot after attending an aviation camp. There, he learned about flying and even got to sit in on three flights. He says about his first flight from Greensboro to Badin Lake, “It was one of the most surreal experiences as I was in complete control of the aircraft. A feeling like no other. With this feeling comes great responsibility.” Finch plans to become an Airline Transport Pilot and dreams of working for Delta Airlines. He looks forward to flying, saying that whenever he’s in the air, he’s in a completely different zone.
Finch’s passion for flying began at a young age. He was always excited about what kind of plane they were flying on trips, but he truly wanted to pursue becoming a pilot after attending an aviation camp. There, he learned about flying and even got to sit in on three flights. He says about his first flight from Greensboro to Badin Lake, “It was one of the most surreal experiences as I was in complete control of the aircraft. A feeling like no other. With this feeling comes great responsibility.” Finch plans to become an Airline Transport Pilot and dreams of working for Delta Airlines. He looks forward to flying, saying that whenever he’s in the air, he’s in a completely different zone.
School/Flight Training Balance
A typical week in Finch’s life is incredibly busy. His day starts with high school classes in the morning, followed by online college aviation classes from GTCC. In the afternoon, Finch either attends ground school or flies. At night, he studies for his classes. When asked about balancing such a schedule, Finch says he focuses on one thing at a time and doesn’t stress about factors outside of his control. He has had to make sacrifices along the way in order to pursue his passion for flying. For example, he’s sometimes unable to go out with his friends on weekends because he’s preparing for a ground exam in flight school. On top of flying, Finch also plays tennis for Ragsdale High School.
A typical week in Finch’s life is incredibly busy. His day starts with high school classes in the morning, followed by online college aviation classes from GTCC. In the afternoon, Finch either attends ground school or flies. At night, he studies for his classes. When asked about balancing such a schedule, Finch says he focuses on one thing at a time and doesn’t stress about factors outside of his control. He has had to make sacrifices along the way in order to pursue his passion for flying. For example, he’s sometimes unable to go out with his friends on weekends because he’s preparing for a ground exam in flight school. On top of flying, Finch also plays tennis for Ragsdale High School.