AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011 - 26

PROFICIENTPILOT

BY BARRY SCHIFF

It’s payback time

lthough I do not think that many young nonpilots read this column, that is exactly the audience I would like to reach this month.

To enter the competition, the contestant must go to my website (www.barryschiff.com), click on “Email Barry,” and send an email to which is attached a 500-word essay (double-spaced using a word processor) describing why he or she wants to learn to fly. The winner will need to submit a clear digital image of themself. Submission of the essay and the photograph will be considered as permission to publish both in this column next April. Deadline for submitting the essay is DecemAviation has been good to me in a wide variety ber 15, and I reserve the right to unilaterally select Barry Schiff was of ways. I cannot imagine how any other vocation the winner based strictly on the merits of the essay. awarded a or avocation could have provided me with such Grammar, spelling, and punctuation will count! Secondary a lifetime of gratification and joy. Along the way Contestants must also provide their snail-mail Teaching and especially during my early years, there have address, email address, birth date, and telephone Credential in been innumerable people who inspired, encournumber (all of which will be kept confidential). Aerospace by aged, and assisted my aeronautical growth. What The winner will be allowed to take flying lessons the California I would like to do now is in their honor (and most at any flight school of his choice as long as it is in Department of of them know who they are). the United States. I will make arrangements to pay Education. Sporty’s founder, Hal Shevers, once told me the school a maximum of $3,000 for the winner’s something worthy of contemplation. He said that flight instruction, an amount that should enable there are three stages in life: learning, earning, and return- most young people to make their first solo flight, although ing. Well, I’ve spent my share of years learning and earning. a solo flight cannot be guaranteed. It is not required, but I (Thankfully, I’m still capable of both.) Now, I think, it is time hope that the winner will keep me informed about his training to begin returning, to give back some of what I have been so progress and eventually provide written reaction to his first fortunate to have received. I would like to go beyond taking solo flight. What is required, however, is that the winner make people on introductory flights or serving as a mentor or pass- every effort to fly at least once a week (weather permitting). ing along some of what I have learned during 59 years in the Lessons spread far apart are less effective. air. I would like to take “returning” one step farther by making In addition to the flight training, Mike Lorden of Aviation it possible for some young man or woman who might not oth- Supplies and Academics (ASA) has graciously volunteered to erwise have the opportunity to strap on an airplane and learn provide the winner with a private pilot ground-school course to make it fly, to develop the self-reliance and independence (on widescreen DVDs) and a kit that includes books, an E6B that sets pilots apart from those forever limited to travel in computer, plotter, logbook, and other items needed to become two dimensions. a private pilot. (As of this writing, I am endeavoring to get othMore to the point, I am offering a “solo scholarship” to the ers to throw a noise-canceling headset and a few other goodies winner of an essay contest. into the pot, but at this point I cannot make any promises.) Eligibility requirements are simple. The contest is open to Whether or not the winner of this contest goes on to any young man or woman who will have reached his or her six- become a certificated private pilot will, of course, be deterteenth birthday by February 1, 2012. He or she must not have mined by his or her own tenacity and resourcefulness. All I reached their twenty-first birthday by that same date. Before hope to accomplish with this contest is to jumpstart a life of flight training can begin, however, the winner must obtain and flying by providing what for me was the most exhilarating, provide to me a copy of their student pilot certificate. He or impactful experience of my life—my first solo flight. It can she must also provide parental consent to begin flight training happen only once. if less than 18 years of age on February 1, 2012. If you know a young man or woman with the drive and My parents were opposed to my learning to fly and almost heartfelt desire needed to become a good pilot, please do him succeeded in derailing my career in aviation. They were con- or her (and me!) a favor by passing along this challenge. vinced that I would be better off as a doctor, a lawyer, or a If I were a rich man—and I decidedly am not!—I would certified public accountant. They finally accepted my becom- select more than one winner. However, if there are any readers ing a professional pilot when I was hired by TWA and they who would like to sponsor a runner-up in this contest, do not began to receive free travel benefits. hesitate to let me know. My friends and relatives are hereby advised that they are not eligible to participate in this contest. Visit the author’s website (www.barryschiff.com). 26 • OCTOBER
2011

AOPA PILOT •

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011

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