12-year-old aviator meets with AIRLANT and former U.S. Navy Blue Angels during Visit to Norfolk
14 August 2024
NORFOLK, Va. -- A remarkable opportunity waited for a 12-year-old aviator who travelled from Greenville, North Carolina to Norfolk for a once-in-a-lifetime experience meeting with some of the Navy’s finest naval aviators.
Christopher Klinedinst, whose passion for aviation started at the age of 8, had an opportunity to meet Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic’s Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo and several former U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilots during an eagerly anticipated visit to Norfolk.
Lt. Cmdr. Julius Bratton, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 and who flew with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels from 2019 to 2023 provided advice to Christopher.
“By you being here today, you went out of your comfort zone to talk to us,” Bratton said. “Do something every single day that scares you.”
Bratton advised that if you stay out of your comfort zone you will grow and work toward accomplishing your dreams, one step at a time.
Christopher’s journey into the world of aviation began during COVID. Captivated by a mix of airplane videos on the internet, and iconic films like “Top Gun” and “Sully,” Christopher's fascination quickly turned into a full-blown passion.
His parents, Neil and Emily, saw his interest take flight during a visit to the Virginia Air & Space Museum, where a cockpit experience sparked a new dream.
“I remember calling our local flight school to ask about a tour,” Neil said. “The instructor informed me that Christopher could fly the plane if he wanted. I was hesitant at first because Christopher was so young, but the flight school reassured me it was fine. And so, at just 9 years old, Christopher took control of a Diamond aircraft.”
Since that inaugural flight, Christopher has taken it upon himself to complete nearly 50 hours of instructional flying time in various aircraft, including Diamond, Piper, and Cessna aircraft, as well as a historic World War II Boeing biplane.
His aviation adventures have taken him across several states, from Greenville and Myrtle Beach to Williamsburg, Louisa County and Roanoke, Virginia. One of the highlights of his young flying career was a cross-country flight from Greenville to the Outer Banks.
Christopher shared his love for aviation with special needs students attending P.S. Jones Middle School based in Washington, North Carolina. He provided a hands-on lesson and cockpit experience for the students. At the conclusion of that event, while being interviewed by a local news reporter, Christopher revealed his aspiration to become a U.S. Navy Blue Angel, a goal that has only grown stronger with time.
Since that experience Christopher has expanded his awareness of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and their mission.
“I have always enjoyed seeing the cool stuff they do and how close they fly in formation,” Christopher said.
During their visit to Norfolk, the Klinedinst family received tours of Naval Station Norfolk and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 followed by a chance to interact with former U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilots.
For Neil, a former Marine and Emily, a dedicated special education teacher, this event was a significant milestone.
“Seeing Christopher meet these pilots and hear their advice was incredibly exciting for us,” Neil said. “As a family, we were looked forward to seeing the base and watch as Christopher took in all of the experiences.”
After the long-awaited meeting Christopher is looking for his next milestone which is to attend the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show in September 2024 and hopes his story will inspire other young dreamers.
“I’ve had the best childhood and have always been encouraged to follow my dreams,” he said. “I hope other kids will see that if you never give up, you can achieve your own dreams too.”
Christopher's enthusiasm for aviation and his encounter with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels underscore his future aspirations. With each flight and every new experience, he added that he will continue to turn his dreams into reality, soaring ever closer to his goal of becoming a U.S. Navy Blue Angel one day.
Outreach is another mechanism available to demonstrate naval aviation as a noble profession and provide awareness of U.S. Navy career opportunities.