A 16-year-old Compton boy plans to embark next year on a flight around the globe hoping to become the youngest pilot to complete the journey and land a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Isaiah Cooper, who grew up around pilots and began attending a youth aviation school when he was 5, is excited about the opportunity and said flying was lifechanging. He went from being a D and F student to getting A's.
"I would, if I can, get all the children of the world this opportunity because it keeps them out of the streets, it keeps them safe and gives them a safe place to work," he said as he prepared to leave on weeklong cross-country test flight Tuesday with his instructor. "This is more important for my future now then going and hanging out with other kids. I'm going to be an adult at some point, so these are the moves I need to make."
Isaiah's mother, Natalia Knox, is a mix of emotions, "proud, nervous, scared, all wrapped up in one."
Isaiah said he'll document his trip on Facebook and will check in with a Guinness official so his times are recorded. He'll have one other requirement on his journey -- making sure to call his mother.
"Every time he lands, I need a phone call," his mother said, laughing.
