Courtesy Photo by Jeff Welch Hillman High School graduate John Ruthko poses in front of the yellow Cessna 172 he flew for his first solo flight on Thursday.

A spring 2025 graduate of Hillman High School, John Ruthko, 19, soloed an aircraft for his first time at 11:10 a.m. Thursday.

Ruthko is considering becoming a professional pilot. Soloing John was Certified Flight Instructor Jeff Welch with Huron Aviation. Ruthko went up in a yellow Cessna 172, owned by Huron Aviation.

“It’s one of those lifetime events you don’t forget,” Welch said of a pilot’s first solo flight. “You look over and there’s no one next to you. It’s a pretty big deal.”

Welch said the Hillman community has rallied around Ruthko to support his dreams of becoming a professional pilot, raising thousands of dollars to cover expenses associated with training programs and travel expenses.

Welch took his first solo flight on his 16th birthday, his first private flight on his 17th birthday, and his first commercial flight on his 18th birthday. He said it really is a milestone for any pilot.

“Five pilots gathered around him today to congratulate him,” Welch said.

He added that in order to become a private pilot, you need at least 45 hours of flying, but typically 60 to 65 hours. Welch said Ruthko currently has about 20 hours in.