Heather Smith '25

July 19th, 2024

Heather S. talks about learning how to fly a plane during her Independent Project.

Heather Smith '25 discovered her love for flying at 13—and hasn’t looked back. Now a licensed Single-Engine Airplane Private Pilot and a member of the first Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Aviation Pathways cohort, she earned her wings just one week after her 17th birthday.

Thanks to La Pietra’s Independent Project program, Heather had the opportunity to train and complete her first solo flight out of Honolulu International Airport, performing three touch-and-go landings on her own. Her dedication, discipline, and drive also earned her the prestigious For Love of Country Scholarship from the museum.

Now bound for Purdue University to pursue a degree in Professional Flight, Heather hopes to become both a commercial airline pilot and serve in the Air National Guard. The sky’s the limit for our La Pietra students!