Meet Brett Burch | Teen Pilot

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Burch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
As a pilot, Determination is essential to navigate the challenges of flight school. My name is Brett Burch, but many know me as Pilot Burch. I am a 19-year-old African American pilot who conquered a severe stutter to become one of America’s youngest black pilots. From the age of one, I displayed signs of stuttering, which led to bullying throughout my school years. This often left me retreating into silence. I always dreamed of flying, yet fluent English is a requirement for pilots, which was a hurdle for me. I asked my mother to enroll me in speech therapy, which unfortunately didn’t help. Determined to overcome my impediment, I began to mimic actors like Matthew McConaughey. Miraculously, I didn’t stutter when I impersonated others. I spent countless evenings practicing speaking in front of a mirror. Once I overcame my stuttering, I enrolled in Positive Attitude Aviation, A flight school in Gaithersburg, Maryland. However, I quickly faced another challenge: the cost of flight training. This led me to apply for a scholarship from the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, aimed at supporting black boys from single-parent households. Winning this scholarship meant that Steve Harvey funded my flight training. After much dedication, I obtained my private pilot’s license and am currently pursuing my commercial pilot’s license.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a 19 year old African American pilot that overcame a severe stutter to become one of the youngest pilots in America. A lesson that I learned throughout my journey is that you have to persevere through hard times and keep a positive attitude to achieve success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely recommend going to the Commodore Cafe for a great meal, then go take a drive down Malibu to see the mansion and the beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The generous scholarship from the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation profoundly changed my life by funding my flight training. This support not only alleviated the financial burden of pursuing my aviation dreams but also fueled my determination. Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to focus entirely on mastering the skills necessary to become a pilot without the added stress of financial constraints. Steve Harvey’s investment in my future empowered me to overcome my challenges and move confidently towards achieving my goal of becoming a commercial pilot. This act of kindness has not only shaped my career but also inspired me to persevere through adversity.

Website: https://pilotburch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilotburch?igsh=a3EwOGx2N253OXpv