A pilot.

The picture that comes to mind is of a college graduate now in their 30s-50s wearing a white collared shirt, a black tie, an earpiece and a pilot cap walking around the airport.

Now, erase that image.

Paint over that image with a 15-year-old sophomore in your high school. Replace the image of an older man with a young and bright boy, Jacob Broesamle who is a student and licensed pilot. 

Broesamle is a 15 year old who attends Stockbridge Jr/Sr high school and is currently a sophomore. When Broesamle was 11 years old he lived next to an airport where he would see gliders  fly over his house almost everyday. When Broesamle first saw a glider it sparked his imagination and soon enough he dreamed of being a pilot. 

Broesamle’s neighbor is a pilot by the name of Safu Nana who is 83 years old and has worldwide experience flying the Boeing 747, the tiger moth, and much more. Nana offered to instruct Broesamle over the years into becoming a pilot himself. Broesamle started training at Richmond Airport (69G) located in Unadilla, Michigan and many other local airports.

Although Broesamle was only 11 years old, he began flying with the help of his instructors, Kevin and Nana. Broesamle worked hard for 3 years to reach his dream of becoming a pilot. On August 1st 2023, Broesamle was able to get his pilot’s license by the age of 14 and was labeled the youngest glider pilot in the U.S. “Time equals experience,” Broesamle said. “I figured i would live everyday as if its my last, because someday it will be.” 

The first glider Broesamle ever soloed in was a 2-33 for around 30 minutes. Broesamle did aerobatics at 5,000 (a mile) above ground level (agl). Broesamle’s friends and family all attended this historical event which put young Broesamle into The National Soaring Society of America magazine.

“I asked him one time if he was scared to fly,” Broesamle’s father, Bert Broesamle said. “Jacob responded, dad, if I die flying, I will die doing something I love.’”