SOLVED. Sci Fi, Space ship, Main charecter has photographic memory [s]

[Ray]

Sci-fi book that dates before 1989

Plot is set in the future where the main character is just a kid who gets (a stowaway? I think initially) on a space ship. He becomes a Steward, then eventually a Navigator because he has a photographic memory. They land on a planet where the primary navigator dies and the kid has to do the job.

[Krazykiwi]

That has to be Starman Jones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starman... has a more complete, albeit spoilerific, plot summary.

[Ray]

THATS IT !!!!

Thank you very much