Airplanes have become a major part of today’s society, both in leisurely practice as well as in travel.

Two Notre Dame Academy seniors fly aircraft but are doing so for two different reasons.

Sam Reimer, who already has earned his license to fly, has dreams of someday becoming a pilot for the United States Navy.

Aaron Wienkers is on his way to receiving his license, but strives to do so for recreational reasons only.

“My dad and I thought it would be fun and advantageous, so we started lessons together,” said Wienkers.

With aviation a very precise procedure, it is very important to know what is going on while up there.

Some very strict requirements are necessary to get the flying license, some of which include being in the air for more than 40 hours and passing many different flying maneuvers and written tests.

Reimer completed the whole process and received his private pilot license in December of 2009.

Both pilots said that they fly whenever the weather cooperates and there is a plane available.

They agree that flying provides them with a sense of exhilaration and freedom.

Reimer and Wienkers plan on involving their flying experience in their future plans and college.

Reimer received an NROTC Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University and plans on joining the Navy afterwards.

Wienkers also plans on majoring in Aerospace Engineering at a university still to be decided.

Wienker’s explanation for why he has not yet received his license is that he switched planes from a Cessna, which is what Reimer flies, to a Cirrus.

He has logged 96 hours total, but in two separate planes, so he is not eligible to get his license yet.

Wienker’s father co-owns the Cirrus SR 22 Turbo with another family, so they get full privileges to it.

“My plane is faster than Sam’s and that is all that matters,” said Wienkers with a smile.