September 7, 2006

Flying high

Leland freshman among youngest in nation to solo in a glider plane

When 14-year-old Leland High freshman Matthew Herbert flew two solo flights in an Schweizer 2-32 glider on Labor Day at Hollister Airport, he called it one of the most exciting things he’d ever done in his life.

Matthew Herbert plans to continue gliding, even cross country, and is working toward obtaining his glider and power pilot licenses once he turns 16. Photos courtesy of the Herbert family

Instructor Ruth Cook of Hollister Gliding Club (one of the few local glider facilities) refers to Matthew as a natural. "He is also among the few select 14-year-olds to actually solo nationwide,” said Cook.

Matthew began his experience in a glider in March 2006 shortly after his 14th birthday,   the minimum age to begin lessons. He has been flying pretty much every weekend since and has logged a total of 14 1/2 hours.  

Matthew began his love of flying at a young age. His grandfather Richard Herbert, a longtime Almaden resident, is a retired pilot, and his father, Stanley, is an aviation enthusiast. As a former honor student throughout Bret Harte Middle School, Matthew hopes to keep up his high level of education standards while at Leland in order to pursue the Air Force Academy in Colorado upon graduation.

Matthew is currently involved with Civil Air Patrol Squadron 36, located at Reid-Hillview Airport. This organization is for youth ages 12-21 and is sponsored by the Air Force and gives youth a chance to develop leadership and technical skills, and learn about aviation and space.

Matthew plans to continue gliding, even cross country, and is working toward obtaining his glider and power pilot licenses once he turns 16.  His ambition someday is to fly C-130s while in the Air Force, which will hopefully enable him to eventually fly for the California Department of Forestry as a fire bomber pilot. 

For more information on glider lesson or rides, contact Hollister Gliding Club at (831) 636-3799.