Palm Springs Teen Becomes One Of Valley’s Youngest Pilots

Brian Kerr just turned 16 years old.

While his friends are just getting their driver’s licenses, Kerr gets around in a different way.

He’s one the valley’s youngest people to ever get their pilot’s license at The Flight School in Palm Springs. He started learning when he was 10 years old.

“My mom was just driving me around,” he said. “In front of the Air Museum it said, ‘Free Flights for a Half Hour.’ I went up and took this trial flight and ever since I really loved it.”

Kerr’s family took video of his first flight. It’s how he celebrated his 16th birthday last month.

He can now fly by himself, but he can’t drive by himself.

“I got my learner’s permit now, so I can drive with my Mom, but that’s not very fun,” said Kerr.

Monday marked the first time his mother, Monica, had been on the tarmac since Kerr’s first lesson six years ago. He would be the first to tell you his mom sacrificed a lot so he could learn to fly.

He said she worked 16-hour days at the Riverside County Public Health Department and home-schooled him, so he’d have the time to fly.

“This is why I invested my time, my emotions, my money in his future,” she said. “I know in his heart this what he wants to do.”

Kerr has two more licenses to earn before he can be a flight instructor. The owner of The Flight School in Palm Springs said he’s already passed his job interview.

“I told him the other day, ‘I can’t wait until you have your license and work with us.’ Because it would be so inspiring to all the other young ones. He did it himself, so it’s very important,” said Andy Dutzi.

Right now, Kerr is trying to choose between a career flying commercial or cargo planes.

While he’s learning to conquer the air and ground, one thing’s for sure, he won’t be getting his boating license anytime soon.

“I don’t like sea. I dislike boats,” Kerr said. “Anything with the water I don’t like. Just not my cup of tea.”