Project Pilot's Premise enduring
On March 24, 1973, David Moeslein was an airplane-crazy 13-year- old who had traveled extensively — including a trip to Japan and back — aboard commercial aircraft with his grandparents. His grandfather, then superintendent of the Maryland State Police, founded its aviation department, and Moeslein was able to ride in a Hiller helicopter and a Piper Aztec.
But it was on that day in March, 23 years ago, that the airplane-crazy boy first flew at the controls of a general aviation airplane. Family friend Bob Schotta took Moeslein flying several times, first in a Cessna 150 Aerobat and later in a Grumman Traveler. Moeslein was hooked.
Schotta understood Moeslein's love for airplanes. When Schotta was 13, a military instructor had told him that a vision deficiency would keep him from flying. Later, Schotta's mother asked him to talk his father out of taking flying lessons. Schotta spoke with his father's instructor, learned that civilian standards were much different from the military's — and the passion was rekindled. Both Schotta and his father would go on to become pilots; in fact, they soloed on the same day.
Time and distance came between Moeslein and Schotta, but Schotta had planted the seed and provided inspiration for his young friend. Moeslein started flight training in 1986 and earned his private pilot certificate in March 1987. Since then he has earned CFI and ATP certificates, logging nearly 5,000 hours in the process. Moeslein, AOPA 912893, is also an AOPA Project Pilot instructor and an FAA safety counselor. In May, he spoke at an FAA aviation safety seminar in central Maryland and used the opportunity to introduce Schotta, thanking him for providing the inspiration that led him to an aviation career.
Moeslein's experience 23 years ago as a potential pilot under the tutelage of a caring, experienced pilot mentor validates the concept behind AOPA Project Pilot — perhaps more effectively than a page of statistics. Project Pilot is still available to AOPA members. Under the program, AOPA member mentors nominate pilot candidates and provide them with encouragement and support. For more information on participation or to nominate an individual to the Project Pilot program, call AOPA at 800/USA-AOPA.
Sporty's merchandise rewards Project Pilot instructors
Flight instructors can now earn credits for merchandise from Sporty's Pilot Shop or any Sporty's catalog when nominating their students for AOPA Project Pilot.
The AOPA Project Pilot Instructor program now rewards participating CFIs with $2 in "Air Bucks" for each qualified student currently under instruction. The student receives free motivational and training materials from Project Pilot, including the popular Barry Schiff videotape Proficient Flying, Volume I, a $29 value.
CFIs can use their Air Bucks towards the purchase of a vast array of merchandise from any of five Sporty's catalogs. Air Bucks replace AOPA's former PilotsPlus Rewards program, which offered only seven premiums.
Participating CFIs will earn Air Bucks for all students registered after June 1. CFIs new to the program can begin earning Air Bucks by registering just two student names. In addition, new Project Pilot CFIs will receive free AOPA's Successful Strategies to Land and Retain New Students video.
The AOPA Project Pilot and Project Pilot Instructor programs seek to encourage new students to begin flight training, to recognize CFIs for their contributions to the flight training industry, and to get general aviation growing again.
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