Train-A-Pilot Program New Private Pilots

Aaron Marshall

I would like to encourage any young person who is interested in aviation to take the chance to win a scholarship for training through the EAA Chapter 274.  It may require some time, hard work and effort, but it is an opportunity you do not want to pass up.  My training through EAA Chapter 274 was one of the greatest blessings and experiences of my life.  The members of this club have been a tremendous help and asset in my pursuit to obtain my pilots license.  The wisdom, knowledge and experience they shared with me during my training is priceless.  These club members displayed a genuine interest in helping me learn and took of their time to make a great impact on my life and on my future as a pilot.

Laura Gerhold

My love of aviation began when I was in high school and attended space camp. After my first simulator session, I knew flying was something I was born to do. Actually it was after the second simulator session……I crashed the first time around. When I returned home, my mom told me about a scholarship being offered by our local EAA chapter. I applied and was not selected as a finalist that year. When the application was due for the next year I applied again but this time with better results. I was one of five finalists who gave a presentation about why I wanted the scholarship and my goals for my aviation future. I received the scholarship …what a rush! With the support of the EAA chapter, I received my private pilot’s license on January 8, 2002 while a senior in high school. That year I looked at my options and chose the Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois as the place I wanted to pursue my aviation goals. I completed the Professional Pilot Curriculum at the Institute in May of 2005. I have received my instrument rating and my commercial and certified flight instructor licenses. Currently I am instructing part-time at the Institute of Aviation and completing my bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. I plan to instruct for a few years to build my flying hours. My current goals are to one day fly for the National Forest Service. Throughout all of my endeavors, the support of EAA Chapter 274 has helped me to achieve my aviation dreams!

Blair Wilson

My passion for flight started when I was only 7 years old. My family took a yearly vacation to Florida for a couple weeks and while I was excited to go see Mickey at Disney World that was the only thing that got me excited about the trip. It was the plane ride that I could not wait for!!! My mom always made sure I had the window seat and I still remember looking out the window and wondering how this huge machine was staying in the air. I have always been fascinated with aviation primarily, since my father was a Captain for Eastern Airlines in the early 80’s before he passed away in 1985. I always kept a picture of him next to my bed in his Captains uniform, which has always inspired me to go for my dream. It was in high school when my mom found out about the Decatur EAA Chapter 274 Train-A-Pilot scholarship that gave the opportunity for a student to earn their private pilot’s license. I immediately filled out the form in study Hall and about 2 weeks later received the letter that I was selected as finalist. My mother, grandma, and I attended the meeting where I gave a presentation about my passion and love for aviation. I went home that night and I was so anxious to receive the call that was going to make or break dream. It was 20 minutes after I got home from the meeting that I received the call which was going to determine my future in aviation. I started the next day by getting my medical and training. I received my license in April of 2003, my senior year of High School. I was accepted to the University of Illinois in the Institute of Aviation. Today I am a junior at the university. I have completed my instrument training and will be receiving my commercial by May 2006. I also work as Assistant to my Academic Advisor at the airport as well as working dispatch for the Institute. I will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications earning my Professional Pilot’s Degree with a minor in Leadership Studies. I hope to someday either fly for an airline or work in the business side of aviation. The Decatur EAA is responsible for aiding me in perusing my dream of being a pilot and entering the world of aviation and for that, THANK YOU!!!!

Chris Gingrich

The first thing I would mention is that I believe much of this could not have happened if it had not been for the truly wonderful and generous members of EAA 274. My first airplane ride was with a missionary bush pilot in Ontario, Canada, when I was around 4 years old. I do remember a little bit of that ride. I was in the back seat with my father and I was too short to see out the window. I was so scared that I cried for much of the ride, but I’m told that after we landed I spied another plane sitting on the ramp and asked for a ride in it too. That was the beginning. As a boy growing up, I was always enamored by airplanes, If I heard a plane fly overhead, I would run out of the house to see what it was. (I still do this quite regularly.) Becoming a pilot seemed all but impossible to me, an unattainable dream. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I had my first Young Eagle ride in a Diamond Katana flown by Randy Owings. This was the first time that I actually had the opportunity to fly an airplane, and I was hooked. I applied for the Train-A-Pilot scholarship the following year, spring of 2002. I did not receive the scholarship that year but reapplied and succeeded in May, 2003. The instrument rating followed on November 8, 2004, multiengine instrument in April, 2005, tail-wheel endorsement in July, 2005, and SEI MEI Commercial rating in September 2006. I am now 22 years old (May 2007), currently have around 450 hours and would also like to add a sea plane rating in the near future. A&P certification is also on the list for a little further down the road. I love sharing the gift of flight with others, especially those who have never flown before and quite possibly would never have the opportunity to fly in a small aircraft. The passengers I take vary greatly in age, the oldest being my 76 year old grandparents, and the youngest a young 4 year old friend (birthday present) with many others in between. I have flown 81 Young Eagles to date. I am also an active Angel Flight pilot.  I joined in March 2006.  I am also a Certified Homeland Security Volunteer First Responder Pilot under the auspices of Angel Flight Central.  I have flown 6 Angel Flight missions to date.  I was introduced to aviation on the mission field, and it has been my dream and the driving force behind pursuing a career in aviation. The TAP scholarship is largely responsible for the progress that I have made since I have been working myself through the different ratings. The money saved from the Private license could be used to further my training. Special thanks to my family, EAA 274, and flight instructor Russell Shaub and Jean Wood, for standing behind me and giving your support throughout my training.

Michael Potts

Ever since I can remember, I have been "addicted" to airplanes and just about every aspect of aviation. I guess it all started when I was a just a toddler and my uncle took me to watch the jets touch down and depart St. Louis. Since then it’s grown into a fascination of mine. When I heard of the EAA Chapter 274’s Train-a-Pilot scholarship, I jumped at this chance to learn to fly. I applied immediately and in a short while, and with some effort, I was on my way to acquiring my pilot’s license.

Throughout my training I learned a plethora of new skills and a wealth of knowledge. Although the training as a whole is a challenge, a few parts stood out to me as being especially tasking. In general, mastering the use of the aircraft’s rudder in all phases of flight seemed to be the most difficult task to become proficient at (which my instructor warned me of and I soon discovered for myself). Seeing as that all my goals I completed throughout training were all preparing me for the one goal of passing my test, I would have to say my greatest accomplishment was passing the exam and being awarded my license.

The acquisition of my private pilot license is only one of many aviation oriented goals I hope to accomplish throughout my life, but nevertheless it is a major accomplishment which has brought me closer to fulfilling my dreams and has opened up many new paths for me to explore. I am currently majoring in aviation at the University of Illinois.  I am working (May 2007) on completing my instrument rating next semester and should graduate in three more years.  After college I would like to eventually become a pilot in the airline industry, and spend my years making a living doing what I love: flying.

Adam Lauderbach

My aviation experiences began as a six-year old boy, my father took me to the airport for an introductory flight and I haven’t looked back since. I received my Private Pilot License on December 22, 2005 and hope to work my way up through the ranks and become a commercial pilot after graduating from Southern Illinois University. Flying for me has always been a unique experience that compares to nothing else in the world. I would like to thank EAA Chapter 274 for bestowing me with the great honor of being their 2005 Train-A-Pilot. I also want to extend a special thank you to John and Sue Durbin for introducing me to Waldo and Peggy Born for fanning my flying flames.