Caroline Alexander Earns Private Pilot Certification

2014 Jul 2

For Caroline Grace Alexander of Front Royal, graduating as Randolph-Macon Academy's valedictorian didn't mean that she was done with the flight program at the school. By continuing to fly on the weekends following her graduation on May 24th, Alexander managed to accomplish her private pilot certification on June 15, 2014.

"I was so proud of her!" exclaimed Randolph-Macon Academy Flight Director Laura Abraham. "She did an amazing job! Grace and I have been flying on the weekends since she graduated because she has a full-time internship at the US Patent Office. I loved flying with Grace! She was such a hard worker!"

The preparation for the private pilot testing and check ride is intense. The actual certification is earned through passing a written test, an oral exam, and a check ride. Abraham credited Alexander's success to her dedication. For a flight student to also be the valedictorian is a very special accomplishment because students have to miss class in order to take flight lessons at Randolph-Macon. In fact, Abraham said, "It took her a little longer than most students because she did not like to miss class to fly. We flew on the weekends and on holiday breaks. She even did a lesson on her graduation day before heading to graduation parties!"

Alexander is the daughter of Lyle and Melinda Alexander of Front Royal. This fall, she will attend Northwestern University to study cyber security and engineering.