Staff Reporter

LAPLACE -- LaPlace native Payton Vicknair was always fascinated by planes, and dreamed one day he would become a pilot. Little did he know at the time, his dream would come true.

Payton attended school at Ascension of Our Lord and St. Joan of Arc, but graduated high school from De La Salle in New Orleans. He then went on to attend Louisiana State University, later transferring to Louisiana Technical University, which is where he received his first flight certificate will earning his bachelor's degree in Aviation, with a minor in Aviation Management. “Since as long as I can remember, I was always fascinated with airplanes,” Payton said. “I was amazed at how something so large, and heavy, could stay airborne under its own power. Growing up, I never really knew any pilots and just saw myself as maybe one day earning my private pilot's license to pursue flying as a hobby.”

While attending LSU, Payton said he started off not really knowing what he wanted to do, but soon started to seriously think about pursuing aviation, not just as a hobby, but as a career. He said it was then that he began to research colleges that offered aviation programs.

“After graduation, I moved to St. Mary's Georgia where I worked as a flight instructor for a small flight school,” he said. “Then I moved about an hour south to St. Augustine, Florida where I was teaching as a flight instructor for Florida Aviation Career Training.”

Payton said he realized his dream was coming true during his first solo flight.

“I remember my first solo flight like it was yesterday,” Payton said. “It was in a two-seat Cessna 152. I remember taking my pre-solo flight test, and my instructor telling me to show him a couple of good take-offs and landings. I guess I did because by then, he told me to taxi the airplane to the ramp and then he just got out of the airplane and proceeded to give me some great advice, ‘don't mess up!' I remember the combination of nerves and excitement. It was such a great feeling and a huge motivator. After my solo flight I remember going back to my apartment and called everyone that I knew that I have just flown an airplane by myself.”

Payton's current position is Pilot-First Officer for Mesa Air Group, which is a regional Airline based out of Phoenix, Arizona, according to Payton.

“Regional Airlines generally fly out of smaller airports, or act as feeder airlines that feed traffic into larger airports for major airlines such as Delta, U.S Airways and United,” he said. “We operate 182 airplanes which makeup both Turboprop and Jet aircraft. Mesa Air Group owns an airline called Freedom Airlines out of Orlando, Florida. I currently fly the Embraer 145 Regional Jet which is a 50 seat Jet out of Orlando, Florida for Freedom Airlines. I hope to upgrade to captain in about one and a half to two years.”

Payton said even though he truly enjoys what he is doing, his ultimate goal is to fly for a reputable major airline like Southwest, FEDES or UPS. He also said there are many challenges in his field of work, but he loves the excitement.

“I would say the best thing about being a pilot would be the combination of being able to travel, new and exciting daily challenges, such as dealing with weather and short runways,” he said. “I also like not having to answer to a boss. I never really did get use to that, just ask any of my old bosses. Being an airline pilot also gives you the best office view. For instance, flying over Florida, you could see the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Even Disney World looks like a parking lot at 37,000 ft.”

According to Payton, he loves to travel, even when he's not working.

“In my down time, I generally travel,” he said. I visit my fiancé, Petra Harden, in Jacksonville, Florida where we go horseback riding, or rent an airplane and go flying. If not that, I usually come back home to LaPlace to visit my family and eat some of my dad's famous jambalaya, spaghetti, or some grilled ribs.”

Payton is not only living out his dream, he is also getting married.

“We met in St. Mary's, Georgia where I was a flight instructor,” he said. “She had just started working as a secretary for the flight school to help pay her way through nursing school. We have been together for almost 3 yrs and are now planning on a wedding which is set this October 21 in Jacksonville Florida. After the wedding we will be living in Orlando.”

Payton said he owes his success to his family.

“I can definitely say that I have no regrets on where I'm at today and have my family to thank for it,” he said. “Without the support of my family, especially my parents and grandfather, I would not be to where I am at today.”