Surrounded by the world of aviation since the day he was born, it is no wonder why senior Caden Mazzu constantly has his head in the clouds. Just one step into his family’s home gives evidence to their passion for flying: airplane figurines line the shelves, framed pictures of planes in flight decorate the walls and a storage space unique to their property holds a Cessna 120 aircraft. All of this was left behind, however, when Caden chose to spend his summer at Utah State University earning his private pilot license. Though this decision might have been tough for other high schoolers to make, Caden  saw it as the first step in fulfilling his family legacy.

“My mom’s a flight attendant and my dad is a pilot, so I was pretty much born into aviation,” Caden said. “My sister Tristan is also a pilot now, and the moment I realized I wanted to become a pilot was when she got her license last year. My first discovery flight also helped me finalize my decision. For 30 dollars, an aviation program member at my sister’s college took me up  in the air and I got the chance to fly, make sharp turns and even land. It was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”

With every single family member directly involved in the aviation industry, the Mazzu family is well-acquainted with the training process. Although he, his parents and his sister all endured similar training, Caden’s experience sets him apart from most.

“Caden and I both got our pilot’s license at 18, but flight school for Caden was different than normal flight school.” Caden’s sister Tristan Mazzu said. “Caden was a select member of a special flight training program that enabled him to earn Private Pilot status in only nine weeks. Learning how to fly a plane that quickly takes a lot of hard work and studying. Looking back on my training when I started, I am amazed at how well Caden did in such a short time.”

Busy days began with early mornings, and the short time Caden spent in Utah was mostly spent in the air. Waking up bright and early to go to the airport, he would then suit up to practice with his instructor. After practicing maneuvers and landings, Caden would then switch to the back seat to gain a different perspective by observing another student in flight.

“Flying each morning was kind of like driver’s ed because I had a partner who I would watch from the backseat,” Caden said. “I learned a lot from not only my mistakes, but from my partner’s as well.”

Aside from the hands-on learning, he also endured lengthy courses where he studied the rules, regulations, information and other required pilot knowledge.

“After flying in the mornings, I had ground school,” Caden said. “It’s a class designed to help me pass the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) written test at the end of the course.”

The Mazzu family’s love for flight is clearly no secret; it is a passion so strong that it is shared with anyone in close proximity. Close friends of the Mazzu family easily predicted Caden’s fate of flight, knowing he would take off as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

“I grew up with Caden and we were always surrounded by the airlines, traveling stand-by all over the U.S. and even a few destinations out of the country together,” close friend and neighbor Lilian Alish-Zamora said.  “It’s no wonder Caden chose to follow in every one of his family member’s footsteps, and unsurprisingly, it comes extremely naturally to him.”

While most people choose a future career path based on salary, money is not Caden’s motivation.

“Flying is like nothing else,” Caden said. “It’s just that certain feeling you get when you’re up in the air. It feels like the entire world is yours for the taking.”

Regardless of the path he chooses to take with his newly acquired license, Caden plans to continue working to secure a promising future in the aviation industry. Most importantly, the accomplishment Caden has achieved is so much more than just a title; it is now a part of who he is.

“Whether Caden wants to continue flying as a hobby, or pursue it as a career, I think flying will always be a part of his life,” Tristan said. “Flying isn’t for everybody, but for Caden it seems like second nature. He really loves it”