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Tanner Matheny, an eighth‑grader from Terravita, recently earned a scholarship to the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Academy in Wisconsin to study the physics of flying. The Foothills Academy Charter School student hopes to fly powered planes solo by the time he turns 16.
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Aspiring pilot sees his career take flight
by Jason Stone

NORTH SCOTTSDALE – Tanner Matheny is only 14, but his career is already taking off.

The Foothills Academy Charter School eighth‑grader is leaving this week for a five‑day flying school in Wisconsin after receiving a scholarship from the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Academy.

Matheny will be joining students from around the world for classroom study about the physics of flying, work with flight simulators, and hands‑on workshops.

“There is no aviation (history) in the family, so this is all self‑motivated,” said Matheny’s mother, Pam. “He started developing this passion at the age of 12 out of nowhere. He studies all the airplanes that are out there.

“When we went to the Pima Air Museum two years ago, he practically gave the tour, and he was only 12 at the time.”

Tanner, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, is aspiring to go into the Air Force Academy and hopes to be a commercial pilot.

“We got him a glider lesson for Christmas and after he did it for the first time, he said, ‘This is what I want to do,’” Pam said.

Tanner has been busy earning money to defray the high costs of flying. He has been working over the summer as a courtesy clerk at Safeway and hopes to put together enough money to pursue the dream of flying powered planes solo by the time he turns 16.

Helping push the inspiration even more, Tanner recently met Maj. Nicole Malachowski, the first female Thunderbird pilot. He’s also worked with former military pilots, including an organization called the Young Eagles, which is made up of retired pilots and ex‑miliary fliers who mentor young pilots.

The Wisconsin academy experience will only add to Tanner’s grasp of flying, Pam said.

“This is right along his lines,” Pam said. “It’s certainly going to strengthen his knowledge about flying and the issues.”

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