Concord teen is youngest African American to earn private license in NC

CONCORD, N.C. — A Concord teenager is taking to the sky at a young age.

Ryan Garner is a 17-year-old pilot. He is the youngest and first African American from Concord to receive his private pilot license out of Goose Creek Airport.

“I actually never wanted to be a pilot at first,” Garner told Channel 9. “I wanted to be a grounds crew member that would bring in the planes or marshal them in. I got to talking with a Delta pilot about flight school, and that’s how I got into it.”

The City of Concord recognized Garner’s efforts last week by presenting him with an official proclamation.

The proclamation was presented to Garner by Mayor Dusch.

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