Teacher and Pilot
I teach 6th grade science in a small town in Arkansas. I took my first flying
lesson when I was 59 years old and got my license the next year. My
husband was my greatest supporter. He never griped about the time I
spent studying and was always there to push me on when I got
discouraged, which was often.
I love flying. I learned that being older requires more time for everything to
sink in and connect, but our airport is small and most of the pilots here are
older than I am. They're great guys and are always ready to help me change
a tire or answer some silly new pilot question. Compared to their many
years of experience I'll always be the new guy!
I have been flying 11 years now. I bought a 172 before I soloed, kept it
about 5 years and have a 182 now that I love. I love to take local people up
that might never fly, and especially some of my sixth graders who are really
interested.
My most fulfilling moment was when the nursing home asked me to fly one
of their patients, a woman who had spent most of her life in a wheelchair.
She was getting weaker and her greatest wish was to fly before she died.
They brought her to the airport in an ambulance and loaded her in the
plane. I put a headset on her and we flew over Waldron about 30 minutes.
She grinned the whole time, especially when we "buzzed" the nursing home.
She died about 6 months later.
I have since flown with two older gentlemen who used to be pilots. They do
not fly anymore but still like to get in the air. Sometimes local people that
know my husband ask him to take them up and are surprised when he tells
them his wife is the pilot. My husband donates my flying time when he
auctions for fund raisers like the Boys & Girls club, PTO, DU, and Turkey
Federation.
When my students succeed in getting me off subject by asking about flying,
I stress that flying is not easy like driving a car, and can be more
dangerous. They can do it but they have to work, study, and really want to
fly. I talk to them about the many jobs out there in the aviation field but
stress that they must learn their math and science to get them.
I encourage anyone who really wants to fly to take a few lessons and give it
a chance. I did not want to wait until I was too old and then regret that I
never gave it a try. I will fly as long as I can pass the physical or until
somebody stops me!
I am teaching my grandson, he's 15 and loves flying. I've already told him
the plane is his when he gets his license- when I get through with it that is.
I would be happy to talk to anyone that has questions or needs
encouragement. I would love to see more girls learn to fly!
I teach 6th grade science in a small town in Arkansas. I took my first flying
lesson when I was 59 years old and got my license the next year. My
husband was my greatest supporter. He never griped about the time I
spent studying and was always there to push me on when I got
discouraged, which was often.
I love flying. I learned that being older requires more time for everything to
sink in and connect, but our airport is small and most of the pilots here are
older than I am. They're great guys and are always ready to help me change
a tire or answer some silly new pilot question. Compared to their many
years of experience I'll always be the new guy!
I have been flying 11 years now. I bought a 172 before I soloed, kept it
about 5 years and have a 182 now that I love. I love to take local people up
that might never fly, and especially some of my sixth graders who are really
interested.
My most fulfilling moment was when the nursing home asked me to fly one
of their patients, a woman who had spent most of her life in a wheelchair.
She was getting weaker and her greatest wish was to fly before she died.
They brought her to the airport in an ambulance and loaded her in the
plane. I put a headset on her and we flew over Waldron about 30 minutes.
She grinned the whole time, especially when we "buzzed" the nursing home.
She died about 6 months later.
I have since flown with two older gentlemen who used to be pilots. They do
not fly anymore but still like to get in the air. Sometimes local people that
know my husband ask him to take them up and are surprised when he tells
them his wife is the pilot. My husband donates my flying time when he
auctions for fund raisers like the Boys & Girls club, PTO, DU, and Turkey
Federation.
When my students succeed in getting me off subject by asking about flying,
I stress that flying is not easy like driving a car, and can be more
dangerous. They can do it but they have to work, study, and really want to
fly. I talk to them about the many jobs out there in the aviation field but
stress that they must learn their math and science to get them.
I encourage anyone who really wants to fly to take a few lessons and give it
a chance. I did not want to wait until I was too old and then regret that I
never gave it a try. I will fly as long as I can pass the physical or until
somebody stops me!
I am teaching my grandson, he's 15 and loves flying. I've already told him
the plane is his when he gets his license- when I get through with it that is.
I would be happy to talk to anyone that has questions or needs
encouragement. I would love to see more girls learn to fly!
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| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
