St. John’s Northwestern Senior Evelyn Stransky Completes First Solo Flight
Aspiring commercial pilot turns her passion into progress through SJN’s aviation program.
DELAFIELD, Wis. — St. John’s Northwestern senior Evelyn Stransky recently completed her first solo flight, marking a significant milestone toward earning her private pilot license and pursuing a career in commercial aviation.
Stransky chose St. John’s Northwestern (SJN) specifically for its aviation program. An interest sparked by her first flight at a young age has grown into a career goal, one she is already working toward while still in high school.
“Being in the sky for the first time alone made me feel empowered, though I was slightly nervous,” Stransky said.
Preparation helped settle those nerves. Having practiced the airport traffic pattern repeatedly with her instructor, she found that the maneuvers and radio calls had become second nature.
Reaching a first solo takes preparation beyond simply learning to take off and land. Student pilots must complete a pre-solo knowledge test and demonstrate proficiency in aircraft operations, airport traffic patterns, stall recovery, and emergency procedures. The FAA does not set a minimum number of flight hours before a first solo. Instead, an instructor must determine that the student can safely operate the aircraft and formally authorize the flight.
For Nicholas Gnan, SJN’s aviation instructor and certified flight instructor, Stransky’s readiness reflected persistence and personal responsibility.
“She took ownership of the aircraft,” Gnan said. “She knew the outcome of the flight was going to depend solely on her and she was able to perform under pressure.”
That determination was evident during her solo. After a second landing that did not go as smoothly as she hoped, Stransky challenged herself to improve on the third and final landing.
“The landing was my best out of the three, giving me a boost of confidence as I left the runway and approached the ramp to shut down,” she said.
Gnan described the first solo as one of the most memorable flights a pilot will experience during training. For Stransky, it also affirmed that the future she envisioned is within reach.
“Evelyn came to St. John’s Northwestern with a goal, and she is putting in the work to make it happen,” said Mike Fink, president of St. John’s Northwestern. “Her first solo reflects the preparation, responsibility, and confidence she has developed along the way. We’re proud to give students opportunities to pursue their ambitions while still in high school, and even prouder to see what they accomplish with them.”
SJN’s aviation program offers ground school to help prepare students for private pilot training, along with opportunities to complete flight training during the school day. Local students can also begin flying during the summer, taking advantage of favorable weather and additional training time. Courses in Introduction to Air Traffic Control and Airport Management expand those opportunities, introducing students to aviation careers beyond the cockpit.
Gnan said earning a private pilot license while still in high school can give students an early start toward their aviation goals while demonstrating their ability to commit to a long-term challenge and see it through.
Stransky’s next steps include completing her solo cross-country flights and night flying, followed by preparation for her checkride, the practical examination of her aviation knowledge and flying skills. After earning her private pilot license, she plans to attend a university and continue pursuing commercial aviation.
“St. John’s Northwestern has given me the opportunity to truly discover what I love and has helped me follow my dreams by moving forward with my career before I have graduated high school,” Stransky said.
About SJN
St. John’s Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind. SJN is
a private co-ed college preparatory boarding and day school and is accepting applications for grades 7–12 and post-graduate. Learn more at stjohnsnorthwestern.org.