Although Eagle High has many great teachers, not many are aware of some of the talents that they have outside of teaching. 

For instance, many students know teacher Mike Corbett as a former member of a band and singer/songwriter who now teaches History and History of Rock and Roll. However, not many know that Corbett was a pilot as well.  

 Starting in 2022, Corbett flew for over three years and the reason he started is not what some would expect. He wanted to find a new hobby that challenged him as much as playing music. 

“I wanted something intellectually challenging that could shake the sadness I had from leaving my band. I had to learn about radios, airports, signals and so much more,” said Corbett. “When I started, they gave me at least 13 books to read. It felt like college.”  

Choosing something as challenging as learning how to fly was a very bold choice, and Corbett said his most challenging experience while flying was his cross-country solo flight. 

“A month after your first solo flight, you do your cross-country solo which requires a flight plan that includes air speed, fuel intake, etc.,” Corbett said. “You must land at three airports throughout the flight. My total flight was 210 miles all by myself.”  

Along with the challenge of cross-country flight, another challenge Corbett explained he faced while flying was landing the plane. He stressed the fact that when landing, there isn’t room for mistakes.  

“Landing and takeoff is the most probable time for an accident, if you make a mistake, you’re going to hit the ground,” Corbett said. 

Although flying was difficult at times, Corbett flew for a total of 160 hours and 110 flights, 54 of which were solo. Even though he never officially received his license and has stopped flying, with the skills he acquired he is undoubtably capable of flying a plane. 

Not many students of Eagle High are aware of Corbett’s accomplishments and the fact that he chose to use his sorrow as motivation to try something new and become a great pilot.