Soaring into the future: 2024 Sharpsville grad earns pilot's license at 17

Jul. 15—NEW CASTLE — Lots of people watched fireworks last week on the Fourth of July.

But Isabella Buell had a rare perspective for the traditional Independence Day sky show; from above.

Buell flew over The Fireworks Capital of America, during New Castle's fireworks show. Less than a week later, Buell — a Sharpsville resident who turns 18 this week — completed the requirements for her pilot's license.

She took her "check ride," the pilot flight test with Martin Haski, owner of Haski Aviation.

"You always learn from the check ride. I was able to calm myself down and went through it and was able to pass."

Next up for Buell is earning her instrument rating, entering Kent State University's professional pilot program this fall and, eventually, working as a flight instructor.

Buell said she got acquainted with flying through her "discovery flight" — a process that begins on the ground with a 30-minute pre-flight safety check followed by a basic 30-minute lesson.

"I've wanted to fly ever since I realized that being a pilot was something that I could do," she said. "Once I made it a priority, I fell in love with flying."

She already has a mentor — her flight instructor, Jocelyn Slagle, of New Castle. Slagle has been flying for eight years, the last year and a half as a flight instructor. She works for Haski Aviation at the New Castlee Airport, where Buell took flying lessons.

"I'm inspired by my flight instructor all the time," Buell said. "All the times that were hard, she made it fun."

The teacher sees a lot of herself in the student.

"She is exactly like me when it comes to learning," Slagle said.

Both women said they developed a bond during the 11 months Buell took lessons for her pilot's license. She began lessons in August and embarked on what Slagle called an "aggressive" curriculum.

"I started a lot like her," Slagle said. "I went up for my discovery flight and I fell in love. I never wanted to have my feet on the ground again."

Buell took her first solo flight on Jan. 2, during a period of juggling flying lessons with her senior year and activities including marching with Sharpsville's band, playing on the soccer team and working the sound board at the school's musical.

"I was very very busy while I was flying, but I was able to make it a priority," Buell said.

Slagle said she was proud that Buell cited her as a mentor, as a woman leading another woman into the field.

"It has been awesome," Slagle said. "It's rare to have female students as a female instructor."

Slagle acknowledged that people get over the "woman pilot" preconceptions when the learn that she is an accomplished pilot, not only in terms of flight time, but also from an academic standpoint — she has a master's degree in aviation safety.

Buell said safety is a top priority in flight instruction and private flying in general. Haski Aviation has on-air flight mechanics, whom she refers to as, "a blessing."

But the most important factor in flight safety just might be the woman at the stick.

"The one thing we really emphasize is aeronautical decision-making," Buell said.

The pair are working together to resurrect an event at New Castle Airport. The combo car/air show, called "Airplanes and Automobiles," is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24.

"I was put in charge of it, so of course I put all my students on it," Slagle said.