Hartselle teenager earns solo wings through Redstone Civil Air Patrol

Fisher Lott has big dreams for the future – dreams that will take him up into the clouds in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk – and at 17, he is well on his way.  

Lott, who is a Hartselle High School junior, recently earned his solo wings through his involvement with the Redstone Civil Air Patrol in Huntsville.  

Lott first got involved in CAP when he was in the eighth grade. “I knew a little bit about it; I had a friend who was in it in another state,” Lott said. “I knew it was kind of like JROTC.”  

So far, Lott has completed more than 20 flight hours and three patterns around the Huntsville Executive Airport.  

Lott said he enjoys learning about the military, and he has plans to join the U.S. Air Force when he graduates from high school. Lott said his involvement in the Civil Air Patrol has “matured him a lot” and teaches participants about character, leadership and respect.  

“When you get out of Civil Air Patrol, whether you go into the military or not, it helps you become a better person overall,” he said. “That’s one thing I find neat about it.”  

Lott said his plans are to choose a college in the state of Alabama and then pursue a career in law enforcement or aviation.  

Greg Gilbreath, Lott’s flight instructor and a 24-year veteran of the Air Force himself, said it takes a good amount of time and dedication to accomplish what Lott has, especially at 17.  

“Your first solo is a big milestone in anyone’s flying career, and it takes a lot of dedication to get there,” Gilbreath said. “It took a year, but that was because of COVID-19.”  

Gilbreath said Lott is now officially a CAP solo pilot who can fly under his supervision. He said Lott is about a third of the way to earning his pilot’s license.  

Lott is the son of Mike and Tammy Lott of Hartselle.