NBC4TV: Teen Pilot From Inglewood Honored By County Supervisor

LOS ANGELES — A 14-year-old Inglewood boy who earlier this month became the youngest black pilot to fly a helicopter round-trip internationally was honored Tuesday by Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

Jonathan Strickland successfully landed a Robinson R44 helicopter July 1 at the Compton/Woodley Airport. His journey began

June 22 when Jonathan flew the helicopter from Compton to Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, British Columbia.

While in Canada, Jonathan also became the youngest person to fly a plane and helicopter in the same day.

“I’m very pleased to say to Jonathan Strickland that his record-setting accomplishment … is really, you’re providing role models for so many young people,” Burke said.

“We only hope there are more young people who come along and have a chance to participate in this way,” Burke said. “It takes some very talented young people like Jonathan.”

Jonathan was very brief in his remarks before the board.

“Thank you for inviting me down to this meeting,” he said. “My name is Jonathan, you already know. I flew to Canada a couple of weeks ago and the trip was over 1,000 miles one way.

“A couple days after I took the tests, I went to my hotel room, got some sleep and the next day I soloed in an airplane and in a helicopter on the same day. Any questions?”

Jonathan received training as a member of the Aviation Explorer Program at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, a nonprofit that teaches disadvantaged children to fly planes and helicopters for free in return for community service.

“What you’re seeing is an example of what people can do if they put their minds to it,” said flight instructor Robin Petgrave. “If you have heart and ethics and perseverance, you will persevere.
“It’s great, down there in Compton, to be part of good news coming out of that city,” Petgrave said.

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