New York Times Upfront

The Sky's No Limit For This Daredevil

May 10, 2004 New York Times Upfront

Jamail Larkins first flew an airplane at age 12. Now 20, he is the country's youngest air-show pilot. The sophomore at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida talked to UPFRONT about flying.

How did you get into flying at such a young age?

Mainly through the Young Eagles, a worldwide program to get young people involved in flying. After my first flight with them, I got hooked. And at the age of 15, I started my own [aviation sales and advertising] company, and that allowed me to fly a whole lot more.

What's it like to perform aerobatic routines?

It's an immediate rush. You're being turned left and right, tumbled around, and you're experiencing all these G forces [gravity]. One second, I weigh a thousand pounds, and two seconds later, I'm literally minus 600 pounds, with pressure trying to eject me outside the cockpit.

What does it take to be a good stunt pilot?

Dedication. Practice. No one is born with the ability to do aerobatics. It just comes with practice.

What are some of your long-term goals in aviation?

To hopefully inspire more people to get involved in flying . . .The military is also a possibility. Getting to fly an F-18 with [the Navy's] Blue Angels, that was one I'll always remember. The only place you can really get to fly airplanes like that is in the military.