Teen's favorite hangout is up in the air

While other high school seniors might be at the mall or in the nearest coffee shop, Jason Flood has his own hangout.

"You can always find me at the airport," said Flood, an 18-year-old senior at Delsea Regional High School.

Flood, of Franklinville, got his private pilot's license in December. He flies his 150-horsepower, blue-and-red-striped solo Pitts Special "every chance I get."

He also competes in aerobatics and placed third in the International Aerobatic Club Northeast Region in September, beating out older, more experienced pilots.

For as long as Flood can remember, aviation has been a part of his life. His father, Joseph Jr., took him on his first plane ride at 6 months old, and at 10 he started flying model airplanes with a remote control.

When he turned 16, he received a solo license, qualifying him to fly his own plane with no passengers.

Flood remembers flying to breakfast on weekends when he was younger with his father and his older brother, Joseph III.

"That was the highlight of my weekend," Flood said.

Now the three can fly in formation, earning them the nickname the "Fabulous Flying Floods" among their aviation friends.

At 17, Flood tested for his private license, allowing him to fly passengers. He studied for months, eventually scoring a 95.

Those who have worked with Flood weren't surprised.

"He's a natural pilot," said Kevin Laufer, Flood's instructor, who recommended him for the license. "He really has a good understanding and feel for the airplane."

Laufer, a professional pilot, said he didn't do much instructing.

When he does, though, "I want to make sure that the person I instruct is really motivated," he said. "It's very rare these days to find someone with that kind of passion for flying at such a young age."

"It's terrific," Joseph Flood Jr. said of his son's hobby. "It takes a lot of practice. It takes a lot of dedication."

The Fabulous Flying Floods flew last summer to Oshkosh, Wis., for AirVenture, the country's biggest aviation show.

On one of the first days of the convention, Flood was interviewed and photographed for Sport Aviation magazine. The photos were put on display at the convention.

"My dad and I both had tears in our eyes," Flood said. "I was speechless. I was on cloud nine."

This year's show will begin July 27, and Flood has it marked on his calendar.

"It's indescribable," he said. "It's just filled with aviation."

Also forthcoming is the aerobatic competition season, which runs from May to September.

Last season was his first competing.

He flew in four competitions, from Virginia to Cape May. Contestants are judged on their stunts, spins, rolls, and maneuvers, all while trying to stay within the boundaries of a box that is 3,000 feet by 3,000 feet, and 3,000 feet in the air.

"Watching my younger brother fly, it's like a dream come true," said Joseph Flood III, 26. "There's nothing like it."

Flood is preparing for the season, working with two coaches on weekends to perfect the required stunts and maneuvers.

Between his schoolwork and his athletic pursuits - Flood plays varsity baseball and has always played soccer and hockey - can't practice as much as he would like.

He has the most time to fly on weekends, but tries to make it out to Hammonton Municipal Airport or Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown during the week, even if only for a 15-minute ride after a baseball game.

Some weekends, the Floods fly to Cambridge, Md., for breakfast or to Pennsylvania to visit a friend.

"It's totally amazing," Flood said. "There's a smile on our face from sunup to sundown."

Flood found his plane online a few years ago. His father rented a U-haul truck and drove to Baton Rouge, La., two weeks later to pick it up. He arrived home with the plane around midnight, and his anxious son dragged him out to it at 5:30 that morning.

"I wanted to hear it run before I went to school," Flood said.

According to his older brother, Flood is "finicky" about his plane.

"It's like his baby," he said, adding that his brother was constantly waxing it and checking for fingerprints.

Joseph Flood Jr., who owns a plane-maintenance shop at the Hammonton airport, has painted the plane to meet his son's color-scheme request and has added new wheels and a new engine.

Although Jason Flood flies different airplanes, he competes mostly in his own.

"It's just so attractive," he said. "It's one of a kind."

Flood hopes the plane lasts a while, as he plans a career as a pilot. He hopes to attend Mercer County Community College in the fall for its aviation program.

In the top 15 percent of his class, Flood can go to a community college for free under the New Jersey Stars program.

Eventually, he hopes to fly corporate jobs while still participating in contests.

At first, Flood's friends didn't believe he could fly a plane, until he took a few of them up in the air.

"It's totally a different world when you leave the ground," he said. "It's like heaven."

While he may be missing the occasional party or two, Flood wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'd rather be here," he said. "That's not the kind of kid I am."

Flood looked to his plane. "Looking at that, being able to fly that, what more could you ask for?"