First flight Nov. 23, 2022
A young pilot earned his Recreational Pilot Permit at age 15, becoming licensed before obtaining a driver's license, then took his sister on his first passenger flight.
I first started flying with this young pilot on November 23, 2022, four months ahead of his 14th birthday. He proved to be a quick study. He was ready to solo in only 4 months. The only reason that he did not solo on his 14th birthday was uncooperative weather.
He made the conscious decision to write the Recreational Pilot Permit exam instead of the Private Pilot License and to write it early. He took his RPP flight test April 1, 2024, the day after he turned 15. It is worth noting that he got "2" on only one exercise. All the rest were "3" & "4" out of 4.
The written exam is valid for two years. The flight test is valid for one year. You must apply for a license — or Permit — within those time frames.
At the same time, he could not apply until he officially turned 16, which is to say on his 16th birthday. He still had to cool his heels for 12 months until he turned 16 on March 30, 2025.
For his first passenger flight as a brand new RPP holder, he took his younger sister as the passenger while Mom and Dad stayed on the ground and video-taped the momentous occasion.
He has joined that rare and exclusive club of gaining a pilot license before getting a driver's license.
Congratulations, Bogdan Sivkov.
Originally published at https://raa-toronto.ca/2026/05/04/first-flight-nov-23-2022/