Pryor High School senior Grace Rutherford is reaching new heights—both in the classroom and in the sky. Following in the footsteps of both her grandfathers, Rutherford recently earned her private pilot certificate on January 28, successfully completing her flight exam after logging numerous flight hours. Her journey culminated in the check ride, where she demonstrated various maneuvers to prove her skills in the cockpit.
But aviation is just one of Rutherford’s many passions. She is deeply involved in music, performing as a member of both the Pryor band and choir and serving as a band intern at Pryor Middle School. Rutherford also has an athletic side, competing on the Pryor swim team. In addition, much of her time is devoted to leadership activities—she is a member of the Lead Team, Pryor Student Council, and the National Honor Society.
"Being in these groups and activities has taught me so many great leadership skills that I know will carry over into my career. My confidence has grown so much during high school, which definitely helped me while I was in the process of getting my pilot’s license," Rutherford shared.
Feeling confident is key in the cockpit, where every decision carries weight. "As soon as you step into the cockpit, you feel a huge sense of control and responsibility. Once you’re in the air, you experience a wonderful feeling of freedom while also being completely engaged in the moment," she said.
One of her favorite aspects of flying? The landing. "I love the satisfaction of the wheels touching down smoothly on the runway and trying to make each landing better than the last."
For her fellow students or anyone considering aviation, Rutherford has a simple message: "I say just go for it. You’re never too young or too old to have an interest in aviation, and I think it’s one of the most amazing fields there is. There are so many ways to get involved, and aviation should be shared with as many people as possible."
Grateful for her experience, Rutherford recommends Tulsa Aviation Group (TAG) at Claremore Regional Airport, where she completed her training. "It’s a great place to start for anyone looking to begin flight training!" she said.
Looking ahead, Rutherford will be attending Oklahoma State University, where she will enroll in the Professional Pilot program. Her goal is to make as many connections as possible while at OSU and, after graduation, continue building her flight hours until she has enough experience to pursue a career as a major airline pilot.
With her pilot’s license in hand and a future full of possibilities, Rutherford is proving that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.