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Compton Teen Preparing For World-Record Flight

COMPTON (CBSLA.com) — A 16-year-old Compton teen is preparing to try to break the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to fly solo around the Earth.

Isaiah Cooper, 16, took off from Compton Tuesday for a flight with stops in Washington, Maine, and Florida, before returning to Southern California, according to Robin Petgrave, who founded Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum.

Isaiah learned how to fly at the museum, which offers after-school programs, gang and drug intervention and a safe haven to inner-city youth, according to Petgrave.

"I don't see the fear," Isaiah said. "I try to take that option out of my head."

The teen's goal is to be the youngest person to fly solo around the Earth at age 18. The current record is held by Matthew Guthmiller, who in 2014 circumnavigated the globe by aircraft at 19 years old.

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