For most 16-year-old boys, going more than 100 mph would mean big trouble. For Andre Thom, it was the fulfillment of a dream.

Thom, who lives in Morgan Hill, has been taking flying lessons at Ocean Air Flight Services in Watsonville since he was 12. Thursday, he took his first solo flight.

"I love the freedom of being above all the crowds and the traffic," he says, "Plus, it's fun to go fast."

His instructor, Josh Pavlovich, said Andre's Piper Cherokee travels up to 120 mph at an elevation of 2,000 to 5,000 feet.

When Thom first asked for flying lessons, his parents were apprehensive about letting him undertake the risk at such a young age. He reminded them that he had developed self-discipline and focus while earning a black belt in martial arts when his was just 9.

A junior at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, Thom says he has learned to pursue his goals until he reaches them.

"My teachers have encouraged me to focus on what's important," he says.

Looking for a way to fulfill Monte Vista's community service requirement, Thom began asking around for ideas. An employee at Ocean Air told him about Listen School, which serves developmentally disabled teens in Santa Cruz.

He has visited the school every Friday for two summers, playing sports with the students, going on outings and just talking with them.

"Playing sports helps them learn how to follow rules, how to do things in sequence, and how to work as a team," he said.

"When Andre comes to Listen School," said Tootie Rosso, "We call them 'Good Fridays.'

"The boys are always on their best behavior, wanting to show him that they are his buddies. He has a real impact on their lives."

After he graduates from high school, Thom plans to enroll in the Air Force or Naval Academy, to pursue his education while preparing for a career as a pilot.

"Depending on what happens," he says, "I may become a combat fighter pilot."

Contact Sue Nelsonat jcopeland@santacruzsentinel.com.