NASHUA, N.H. – Daniel Webster College freshman Andrew Mason of Monmouth has completed his first solo flight in the college’s nationally-recognized aviation program.

During a solo flight, student pilots fly on aircraft without the assistance or presence of a certified flight instructor, according to Steve K. Brown, director of flight education at the college. A student’s solo flight is considered a professional milestone in the aviation industry.

Mason is a freshman majoring in aviation flight operations and is studying such aspects of flight as aerodynamics, micro-meteorology, applied flight dynamics and integrated flight operations. Upon graduation, he will have earned his commercial pilot certificate with up to three separate ratings, with the prospect of earning a flight instructor certificate.