Elias Kishelev Reaches New Heights in Flight Training

By Chava Herniter ‘23
​GOA junior Elias Kishelev has a unique hobby: he flies airplanes.

While he had always been interested in aviation, Kishelev had his formal introduction to the world of flight in May 2019 through the “EAA” Young Eagles program. The program, in which pilots volunteer their small planes to provide prospective pilots with the experience of flying a plane, made Kishelev fall in love with the idea of learning to fly, and he began flying as frequently as every two weeks.
“Flying a plane is insanely overwhelming at first,” Kishelev said. “You have to focus on being on track to your destination, talking to air traffic controllers enroute, managing all of the instruments and of course making sure the engine is working properly and constantly being alert and prepared for any failures.”
For Kishelev, it has taken a lot of practice and focus to be where he is today, but the hard work has not removed the thrill and excitement. 
All of Kishelev’s friends are just as excited about his hobby as he is. Fellow Junior Boaz Fox was lucky enough to get the opportunity to fly with him. 
“It is incredible!” Fox said. “I have flown as a passenger in a commercial plane, but this is different. It is like I am closer to the action.”
    However, flight training is an expensive endeavor; an hour can cost over three hundred dollars. As such, scholarships are an important part of continuing a flight education. Kishelev received the prestigious AOPA "You Can Fly" High School Flight Training scholarship last May, which provided him with ten thousand dollars. In order to get this scholarship, Kishelev had to complete a long application and essay. 
“Basically,” Kishelev said, “you win by showing much you care – how you want to change the industry, and your passion for flying.”
    Kishelev currently has his student pilot license, which one can get at the age of sixteen, meaning he is now allowed to fly solo. Thus far, Kishelev has five solo flight hours, along with a total of 55 hours and 140 landings. Kishelev plans on getting his full license this June, which will permit him to fly passengers such as family and friends.
    In order to get his full pilot’s license, Kishelev must complete a written, oral and practical test. He has already taken the written test and is currently studying for his oral exam. 
“The exams are ridiculously hard! I have been studying since December from these enormous textbooks. It is a lot of work,” Kishelev said. 
After passing the oral and practical exam this June, Kishelev will continue flying with family and friends next year and potentially work on more advanced pilot’s licenses in college.
 “With the additional licenses, also known as ratings, you can…fly through clouds or fly commercially, for example, but these require even more time and are complex licenses,” said Kishelev. “They are certainly something that I will be looking to begin a little further down the road.” 
    There are several career options that stem from flying. Kishelev is debating between becoming an aeronautical engineer and flying as a hobby or progressing through licenses and becoming a cargo or airline pilot. As of now, he is leaning more towards engineering, as professional pilots live a specific, highly intense lifestyle. Yet no matter what Kishelev decides, aviation will always be in his life. 
“I do not see flying not being a part of my future,” he said. “It is a challenge, but I love it.”