Reach for the sky: Seward pilot offers free aviation lessons to high school students

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – Since June of 2024, Jeremy Locke has been giving high school students the opportunity to experience flying firsthand.

With the demand for pilots soaring across the country, Locke is teaching kids the skills and knowledge needed in the aviation industry.

Locke’s Flight Training offers an hour-long training session for free where students learn the ins and outs of the plane, as well as solo flying practice.

He told Channel 8 he is looking to open up doors for kids who might not have thought it was possible.

“Maybe a kid that really wasn’t interested in aviation sees my post about free flights and decides to take a ride and gets into it,” he said. “I think that’d really open some eyes. Like this last guy, he never really considered it but he told me he had the time of his life so maybe that could change his future, steer him more toward aviation.”

According to Locke, he is teaching these lessons as often as three to four times a month.

He said the feedback has been incredible.

“They’re smiling the whole time,” he said. “It’s great, they’re super excited. A little nervous, but mostly excited. They look down and they’re like ‘oh my gosh it looks like a model down there.'”

He said one of his biggest driving forces is giving back to the community.

“I’ve gotten nothing but positive responses from parents,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of messages and a lot of inquiries. Everyone kind of misses it as they drive past the airport, no one really thinks about it. Trying to get that interaction with the community and bring awareness.”