Harrison Teegarden '26 Earns Private Pilot License
November 17, 2025
This fall, Harrison Teegarden ’26 turned a lifelong passion into a remarkable achievement by earning his private pilot license. For Harrison, aviation has always been more than a hobby—it’s a calling. “Being a pilot isn’t a dream anymore, it’s reality,” he said. “It took a lot of hard work to make it that way, and I couldn’t have done it without the unconditional support from my family and friends.”
Harrison’s interest in aviation began in early childhood and has continued to grow in both scope and depth. Beyond flying, he maintains an Instagram account dedicated to plane spotting, where he posts photos and details of takeoffs and landings from airports around the country. His keen eye and dedication have earned recognition from major airports and airlines, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which invited him to its exclusive “Summer of Spotters” event. Harrison was the only teen among a group of professional adult photographers and aviators granted all-access behind-the-scenes experiences.
His path to earning his pilot license was no small feat: Harrison began training last summer, balancing both in-air flight instruction and ground school alongside his regular coursework at ESD. Early mornings before school and weekend sessions became routine, and he even paused training during varsity baseball season to meet his team commitments. His discipline and perseverance ultimately paid off as he successfully completed all requirements and received his license.
Now, Harrison is setting his sights on the next step in his aviation journey: pursuing additional flight ratings and gaining experience in a variety of aircraft. His love for flying, combined with his dedication and talent, promises a bright future in aviation. With countless hours in the air already and a collection of striking flight photos to document his journey, Harrison’s story is a testament to what passion, focus, and hard work can achieve.
