April 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Young Pilot Looks To Fly High In Santa Monica Sky:

Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are among famous celebrities who have owned small airplanes and in some cases flown out of the Santa Monica Airport.

But there are many other, less-famous people who also use the local airport to fly small solo planes. One such person is 16-year-old Santa Monica resident Dante Gaudet. He might be the only person in his high school class that can brag to his classmates about flying a small aircraft.

“To me it’s a very freeing feeling,” Gaudet said about being a solo pilot. “I’ve always looked up into the sky and wondered how planes fly. It started my curiosity.”

Perhaps it was destiny as well, as he lives within walking distance of Santa Monica Airport. Many of his days as a youth were spent watching planes takeoff and land around the grounds, and from there he was set on his path.

“Dante had a great understanding of airplanes at an early age and a real interest in aviation,” said his father, Dirk. “So that kind of started the whole conversation (about flying).”

Dante was introduced to aviation through the Young Eagles Program in Santa Monica. He started training to become a pilot at age 10, about the minimum age required, according to Dirk. At 16, Dante was finally able to get his license to fly solo, and next year he’s hoping to pass tests to fly others around.

For now, Gaudet operates small planes and often flies to other neighboring airports like Van Nuys and back to Santa Monica. He can reach heights up to 9,000 feet and flies high above the ocean and Hollywood area.

Dante said it’s important for pilots to have quick reactions, and the most challenging part about flying is “multi-tasking” and “being able to stay calm under difficult circumstances.” All pilots are required to watch weather reports and Dante says pilots are taught not to fly if visibility is poor.

So far, he’s passed all tests. After high school Dante plans to go to college (perhaps Stanford) and his dream is to someday become an aerospace engineer.

“I don’t really want to be a pilot for commercial purposes,” he said.

Right now he’s just content to fly the friendly skies in small planes around Santa Monica. His father, Dirk, is obviously proud of everything his young son has accomplished so far.

While Dirk is a landscape artist by profession, he describes himself as an “aviation enthusiast.”

Both father and son share a passion for airplanes, but Dante is the one who actually pilots planes in the sky. He’s hoping to someday meet Harrison Ford and said he’s a fan of “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars.” After all, how cool would it be for anyone to fly alongside Han Solo?

in News
<>Related Posts

Film Review: Death of a Unicorn

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWDEATH OF A UNICORNRated R107 MinutesReleased March 28th  Death of a Unicorn is certainly an imaginative movie, and it...

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Across L.A. This Weekend

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Target High-Risk Areas, Come With High Penalties The Los Angeles Police Department will conduct a series...

(Video) Adorn Your Home With Plants and Pottery from Urban Jungle

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Go To Urbanjungleplantsandpottery.com For More Info Go To https://t.co/AS6KmhBArb For More Info pic.twitter.com/8NkKBbgpfF — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) April 4,...

Suspect Still Outstanding in Westminster Dog Park Shooting

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The Victim Has Been Described as a “Protector” Who “Got Shot Defending a Homegirl” Police continue to look for the...

THIS WEEKEND: Venice Fundraiser to Support Marine Mammal Care

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The nonprofit rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured marine mammals along the Los Angeles coastline A fundraiser benefiting the Marine...

Join UCLA’s Innovative Memory Research Study!

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Are you ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of memory treatments? Do you sometimes find...

Coming Soon: Easter Extravaganza at Regent Santa Monica Beach

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Book your Delectable Brunch, Easter Festivities This Easter, step into a world of celebration and refined delight at Regent Santa Monica Beach....

Free Saturday Morning Fitness Program Returns to Santa Monica Pier

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The event begins each week with a group run under the historic Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign Wellness & Waves,...

Three Teens Arrested in Santa Monica Armed Robbery

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The group threatened to shoot if the victim didn’t hand over his phone Three teenagers were arrested after allegedly robbing...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

Historic Beethoven Market Reopens as Community-Centric Restaurant

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Originally established in 1949, Beethoven Market was a grocery store serving the community for 75 years Beethoven Market, a longtime...

(Video) Palisades Art Gallery Owner on Relocating to Santa Monica

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bruce Lurie Owned What Was The Only Fine Arts Space in Palisades. The Gallery Has Found a New Life in...

Mikomi Sushi Opens New Santa Monica Location

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The new location continues Mikomi Sushi’s commitment to serving sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls Mikomi Sushi, a well-regarded sushi restaurant...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...