10-Year-Old Maddox Jolie-Pitt Is Taking Flying Lessons -- WHAT?!

on February 7, 2012 at 3:32 PM

airplane Geez. Is Brad Pitt making a play for parent of the year, or what? First he admits to force-feeding his kids Coca-Cola in the morning to get them out of bed and moving. And now? He has disclosed that he and Angelina Jolie are letting their 10-year-old son, Maddox, take flying lessons.

Flying lessons? At age 10?!

Before we get too panicked, at least we can take comfort in the fact that, because the FAA's minimum age to get a student pilot's license is 16 and a private pilot's license is 17, Maddox can't yet fly a plane solo. But still, even with a backup, would you really allow your kid to fly an airplane when he or she is still in (or even barely out of) elementary school?

At 10, it seems to me, kids are still developing their manual dexterity, impulse control, and understanding that actions have consequences and that sometimes those consequences are final. (Yank the controls, crash the plane, and that's it, folks.) Couldn't they just have gotten little Maddox a video game that simulates flying, or take him to a flight simulator, or give him some flight-like experience where a mistake or a sudden move is not potentially deadly? Does he really need to be at the wheel (or whatever it is) up in the air?

I suppose it's possible that little Maddox has not been allowed to actually take the controls while in flight -- and that by "piloting lessons," Pitt just means something safe and on the ground. But given the fact that his mother got her own pilot's license (in 2005) in order to fulfill a promise to Maddox, and that she has spoken very favorably about the feeling of flying, it seems like the Jolie-Pitts take being airborne very seriously.

Look, I don't mean to judge -- to each his own and all, and I'm sure the Jolie-Pitts are certain that they're doing the best for their airplane-loving little boy -- but me, even if I had the means to give my 10-year-old kid flying lessons and he was begging for them, I would say, "No. Not yet. Wait until you're a little older." It just seems too risky.

What about you? Would you let your kid take flying lessons at age 10?

Image via hisperati/Flickr

About the author Amy Reiter

is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband/work spouse, two kids, and very demanding laptop computer.

Filed Under: celebrity

Comments (33)

ashjo85

on Feb 7, 2012 at 3:39 PM

Hover over your kids and they'll never get to experience anything. We've seen 13 and 14 year olds cross oceans by themselves, 13 year old compete in the biggest stage in the world for gymnastics. In my hometown, a 13 year old flew a hot air balloon by himself, and after countless hours of training and practice with his parents, licensed pilots. Give your kids a little credit, and stop holding them back. You'll be shocked what they can achieve.

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MadamButterphli

on Feb 7, 2012 at 3:47 PM

There are plenty of other children who have taken flying lessons at this age. The only reason why this is even "news" is because of who his parents are. Not because he's taking flying lessons at 10 years old.

i.heart.nerds

on Feb 7, 2012 at 3:53 PM

First off, Brad was being tongue in cheek when he talked about the coke thing.
Secondly, he isn't sitting in the cockpit alone while the instructor is sitting on the back. Chances are that someone else has control of the main controls and he is learning on the secondary controls.
Why shouldn't he get to learn in a controlled environment?
BTW, you clearly know nothing about what is going on in his lessons so this is pure speculation.

yayheadstart

on Feb 7, 2012 at 10:23 PM

ok so basically you are saying the kid gets a few extra years of practice? well that sounds pretty darn awesome to me! I have been giving my 6 & 7 year olds driving lessons since age 4 or 5 because my mom did that with me and i don't remember a time when i didn't know how to drive. I. believe the extra practice has been a god-send to me as i have never been in an accident, nor had a ticket and have always been a religious seat belt wearer. So yeah I think he's making a good choice.

MegTheGem

on Feb 8, 2012 at 12:28 AM

Why not? There's no harm in it. I say kudos for his parents allowing him to follow his passion.

comf

on Feb 8, 2012 at 2:10 AM

Lmao. force feed. yeah right. you're just sad.

SaphiraJFire

on Feb 8, 2012 at 10:15 AM

idk I think pushin your kids to hard they loose something. I didn't get my drivers license till I was 18. waiting made me more responcible. I never had car in high school. I did know how to drive at 16 just waited for the license. idk I don't think driving or flying is a autmatic rite of passage. I don't think you should be allowed to do these things.you earn the right.

Maybe he is responcible enough to handle what comes with flying. We don't know him at all his parents do. We have to belive they know whats best for him.

Would I no it cost to much! lol

Nonmember comment from Dawn

on Feb 8, 2012 at 10:23 AM

As all pilots are aware, if something happens to you, the pilot, someone else is going to have to land the plane or everyone dies. My dad got his pilot's license when I was 8 years old, and on my first flight with him, he started teaching me how to fly. Kids that age don't have the foresight or dexterity to manage the controls? My dad didn't know I couldn't see through the windshield until he saw me watching the instrument panel-- I had figured out by watching the attitude indicator how to keep the plane straight. Geez, kids aren't allowed to solo, but they CAN do everything else, with supervision of course. Any parent who refused to show their kid how to fly when piloting their own aircraft is just irresponsible.

nkkk07

on Feb 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM

My Dad is a fixed and rotor wing flight instructor and I have been flyng with him since much younger than 10. I would help him with pre-flight checks, let me help taxi, and holding the aircrafts in a steady flight etc. It was really fun and insightful and my Dad always had control of the situation. I think its cool. good