Even at a very young age, Gavin Burnett dreamed of being a pilot. During his senior year of high school, his dreams became reality when he earned his private pilot’s license.
This winter, the 2021 Kettle Run graduate is graduating from Liberty University with his bachelor’s degree in aviation and professional aeronautics – a program he says is the most expensive offered. Thankfully, he saved quite a bit on his education by first attending Laurel Ridge before transferring to Liberty.
“I thought Laurel Ridge was the perfect choice,” said Burnett, who is a flight instructor based out of Manassas Regional Airport. “I heard good recommendations from other colleagues and other students.”
Another recommendation came from closer to home – his sister attended the college before going on to the University of Lynchburg.
“She said it was a great school,” said Burnett, who has another sister, Haylee Burnett, currently enrolled at Laurel Ridge.
In the year-and-a-half that he spent at Laurel Ridge, Burnett was able to get many of his core classes out of the way – at a fraction of the cost he would’ve paid at a four-year university.
“I really enjoyed my time at Laurel Ridge,” he said. “Everyone was really nice and I really learned a lot. I saved a lot of money for sure.”
Burnett hopes to begin working as a commercial pilot for a regional carrier this summer or fall. For now, he’s working as a full-time flight instructor based out of Manassas Regional Airport.
“Ever since I was 3 or 4-years-old, I’ve always wanted to be a pilot,” Burnett said.
With his father in the U.S. Army, Burnett became accustomed to frequent traveling.
“I fell in love with flying and just sitting in the cockpit,” he said. “I got my private pilot’s license as a senior in high school. I didn’t want to study anything else in college.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.