16-year old African-American pilot takes test flight before Guinness attempt

COMPTON, Calif. (FOX 11) - A special test flight around the nation today for 16-year old Isaiah Cooper. He's hoping to break a Guinness World Record for being the first African-American solo pilot to fly around the world when he turns eighteen.

Tuesday he's taking off from Compton airport with an instructor for a week long journey to practice for his big feat.

Mentor Robin Petgrave, founder and Executive Director of Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum (TAM) has helped Cooper through the process.

His program helps inner city youth expand their visions and dreams and provides opportunities for these kids to learn how to fly, in more ways than one.

Cooper says, "When I fly I feel invincible, like I'm on the top of the world. I love it."

Along the way during his nationwide flight, Tuskegee Airmen will meet him at stops to sign the fixed wing Grumman Cheetah he will be flying in.

Petgrave says "this program really helps empower youth to realize their dreams."

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