Ten-year-old takes to the skies
Categories: Kids 8-11, Fun & activities, Extreme childhood
In California, the minimum age to get behind the wheel of a car is fifteen and a half, when you can get a learner's permit. There are, it seems, no such restrictions on flying a plane. That's why, even though he's got at least five years before he can learn to drive a car, Charlie Goldfarb is already learning how to fly a plane -- and actually doing it. The boy has been taking lessons while staying with his father in Southern California for the summer. His mom, who lives in London, at first agreed to the lessons, but apparently didn't really get the whole picture. "She said, 'Are you crazy? You let him fly a plane? I thought it would be a flight simulator,'" said his father, Mark Goldfarb. "I was thinking of something interesting for him to do. He's got an aptitude for high science; he loves aircraft. ... I don't believe in parents who want to protect their kids from all risks."
Still, he won't be able to fly on his own for another six years, but something tells me that won't stop him from continuing to fly. His mom once he gets back home to England? That I'm not so sure about.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Miss M 8-25-2008 @ 3:34PM
That father is a moron. Have we all forgotten little Jessica Dubroff and her senseless death ?
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Justin 8-27-2008 @ 8:22PM
I don't think the father is a moron by any means. He's helping his son do something that he (Obviously) is very enthusiastic in doing. There are many things in this world that aren't "safe". I'd rather be killed doing something I like, than cowering in a corner of my house hoping that the sky won't fall on me.
Bad things happen yes, and maybe we can do things to prevent them, but also amazing things happen, but they won't happen unless we try and grab them. I know if my son wanted to do that I would let him (Granted I don't feel he is ready for it, but if he was and showed me he was I would allow it).
I think that was one of the worst things my parents did when I was growing up, it was limiting every single ambition I had due to some "Safety" issue. No I didn't want to go bungee jumping, but flying was one of them yes. Now unfortunately that dream is pretty well crushed although I have done many hours in aircraft and have done training and am very capable of flying aircraft (And have flown with my sons) I will never have the chance of doing it professionally because I was never able to have the chance to do it early enough.
I encourage the father as long as I know he is taking proper precautions. The boy isn't obviously allowed to solo untill he is much older, so there is no risk as there always is a qualified pilot right next to him... BTW do the math and remember, driving a car down the road is more than twice as dangerous as flying in a plane. Do you do a 20minute inspection of your car EACH and EVERY time you start it up?
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