Damon Benson has been flying high this summer – literally.

Before beginning his senior year at Eagle’s Landing High School, Benson graduated from an elite U.S. Navy flight academy in Delaware where he completed an intense eight-week aviation training program and achieved his FAA private pilot’s license. He was selected for the program by the Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) and his participation was funded through a Navy JROTC scholarship program designed to increase diversity in aviation.

“My experience in the CNAF Flight Academy has been wonderful. This is something I have dreamed of for years, and when the Navy approached me with this opportunity I didn’t even have to think about it,” he said. “Being able to meet a lot of different people, being here with my Navy brothers, being able to fly aircraft at 17 years of age — it’s just something I never could have thought was possible.”

Benson maintains a 4.0 grade-point average at ELHS and is a commanding officer for the school’s JROTC unit. His goal is to be a naval aviator.

“From a young age, going to air shows and watching the Blue Angels, I’ve always been fascinated by FA-18s,” he said. “That is my goal, when I get into the Navy, to fly FA-18s or F-35s. I wouldn’t be opposed to flying either one of them.”

The fact that a scholarship was provided for him to attend made a huge impression. “It means a lot. It just shows how much the Navy cares about the people who are interested in it,” he said. “If you do your part and show an interest, then as long as you do the right things you will be rewarded.”

After entering the program with no previous flying experience, Benson received 35 hours of classroom aviation academics and more than 45 hours of daytime and nighttime flight training in a Vulcanair V.10 single-engine aircraft. As part of the certification process, Benson was required to complete 17 hours of solo flights.

He received his FAA certificate and license at an Aug. 12 graduation ceremony at Delaware State University. The guest speaker for the event was Navy Commander and NASA Astronaut Victor J. Glover.

“The goal of the scholarship program is to expose exceptional minority students to a career path that currently lacks diversity,” said Commander Chris “Frozone” Williams, a Navy fighter pilot, instructor, and director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Damon Benson has what it takes to be a leader in the field of aviation, and the Navy is honored to play a part in his personal and professional journey.”

In partnership with the Office of Naval Research, the CNAF Flight Academy is a part of the CNAF initiative to increase diversity within naval aviation. Officer demographics in this field are currently 89 percent male and 88 percent white, with black pilots making up fewer than three percent.

Benson is determined to make the most of this recent opportunity, and he is motivated to continue pursuing his passion. He advises other high school students to do the same.

“Whatever you feel like you want to do, be passionate about it and do it. Don’t let other people influence you,” he said. “If it’s something you feel in your heart that you want to do, do it. It doesn’t matter if it makes other people happy. If it makes you happy, do it.”