Yun Tae Kim Flies Solo in Airplane

Randolph-Macon Academy Junior Achieves Flight Milestone

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Yun Tae Kim poses for a photo after completing his first solo flight.

FRONT ROYAL , VA (06/07/2013)(readMedia)-- Randolph-Macon Academy junior Yun Tae Kim has dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was in eighth grade. He began flying on April 25, 2012, and on May 21, 2013, he achieved the first step towards his dream when he completed his first solo flight.

The son of Mr. Keun Kim and Ms. Young Sook Cho of Wonju City, South Korea, Yun Tae was considering attending an American boarding school several years ago. He learned that Randolph-Macon Academy had a flight program where he could possibly earn his private pilot certification by the time he graduated from high school. That was all the South Korean student needed to see-he made up his mind to apply to Randolph-Macon Academy.

Yun Tae was accepted to the Academy, started attending the Virginia boarding school as a freshman, and finally had the opportunity to begin flying late in his sophomore year. He immediately found that he loved it just as much as he expected.

"It was really fun," he said. "Sometimes I can see many things in the sky I cannot see from the ground. It's very beautiful."

For his first solo, Yun Tae successfully completed three take-offs and three landings alone in a Cessna 172 airplane at Front Royal-Warren County Airport in Front Royal, VA.

"His goal was to solo before the end of this school year and he has worked really hard to make it happen," said Ryan Koch, Yun Tae's flight instructor.

"When I was going to the airport, I was a little bit nervous," said Yun Tae. "I practiced two or three landings with Mr. Koch and I felt much better. I was much more comfortable. It was fun."

Yun Tae has been successful in other areas of the school as well. He was promoted twice this year in the Air Force JROTC program and holds the rank of cadet technical sergeant. He is also active in the Academy's community service program and participated on the swim team during his sophomore year.

During his senior year at Randolph-Macon Academy, which begins in August, Yun Tae plans to continue flying and work towards his private pilot certification. He hopes to become either a military pilot or a commercial airline pilot.

The flight program at Randolph-Macon Academy is recognized for being the only one of its kind in the contiguous United States. The Academy owns two Cessna 172 aircraft and the two flight instructors are Academy faculty members.

Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA's 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), and have the opportunity to fly in a unique flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, Virginia.

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